Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for the set-up and tear down of SOAK’s infrastructure on-site, pre-build of support items, and transportation SOAK assets to and from the event. DPW is seeking one more Lead to join the team.

Responsibilities:
- Communicate weekly in person and by email
- Assist with managing department volunteers, including:
- Recruit new volunteers with the skills needed for department tasks
- Support less experienced volunteers in gaining the skills necessary to keep volunteering
- Run the DPW crew for on-site build OR strike
- Attend department work parties
- Contribute to department documentation, including the After Burn Report

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to drive a 24’ Box truck (preferred)
- Knowledge of safe operations of shop tools
- Analytical problem solving skills
- Experience using a share drive (Google Suite; doc, sheets, etc)
- Tetris packing skills
- Organized and timely

Requirements:
- Must have access to the internet and transportation to Burner Barn in NE Portland.
- Must be able to attend SOAK with a mandatory commitment to either early arrival or staying after event close
- Must be familiar with department tasks and be able to delegate effectively

Perks:
- At-cost DPW department shirt/tank for year worked
- SOAK Lead’s hoodie (exclusive to Lead’s team)
- DPW Patches & Stickers
- Same-year (no cost) Gift ticket to SOAK
- Access to a Lead’s DGS Ticket
- Access to a Lead’s RV Pass

Time Commitment:
Build Lead
Pre-Event
- 3 work party (shared attendance with other leads)
- Up to 4 hours of DPW planning meetings
- Truck load day 4 hours
During the Event
- Early access Monday before event open
- Shared build shifts before event open
Post Event
- After event strike of on-site assets
- Return assets to Burner Barn and help with organization and storage for the off-season
- Contribute to department’s After Burn Report

Strike Lead
Pre-Event
- 3 work party (shared attendance with other leads)
- Up to 4 hours of DPW planning meetings
During the Event
- Strike day 8 hours
- Drive truck back Tuesday (shared with other leads)
Post Event
- Day after the truck returns 4-6 hours of truck unload and Burner Barn restore
- Up to 3 hours of DPW post meetings
- Contribute to After Burn Report

Must have access to the internet. Must be in good standing with PNW and have not been dismissed or disqualified from volunteer service at a past Regional Event or Burning Man.

The Gate Department is responsible for processing credentialed participants in and out of the event site in a safe and professional manner.

Responsibilities include:

• Volunteer recruitment, scheduling, and supporting pre-event and during event

• Creating and coordinating smooth transition from entrance of event to parking and back out again

• Developing processes and plans in fast paced team environment

• Communicating with production and volunteers to meet department goals

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Excellent verbal communication

• Ability to manage multiple demands

• Ability to work outside and be on your feet for long periods of time

• Facilitate teamwork and FUN!

Time Commitment:

3-5 hours per week

• Jan- May: attend bi-weekly meetings, respond to emails in timely manner, and be available for off cycle meetings as needed.

• Pre-event: on site by Tuesday to setup

• Event weekend: attend staff meetings and fulfill onsite duties.

• Post-event: After Burn Report & debrief

Perks:

• Department shirt for year worked

• SOAK Lead’s hoodie (exclusive to Lead’s team)

• Department Patches & Stickers

• Same-year (no cost) volunteer Gift ticket

• Access to a Lead’s DGS Ticket

• Access to a Lead’s RV Pass

Must have access to the internet. Must be in good standing with PNW and have not been dismissed or disqualified from volunteer service at a past Regional Event or Burning Man.

The Leave No Trace Department is a mission critical part of SOAK: LNT ensures the SOAK site is fully restored back to how we found it, or better.

Responsibilities:
- Attend SOAK meetings, manage emails & communications
- Establish department budget
- Coordinate with DPW to ensure proper equipment arrives on site and returns to the barn
- Recruit, manage, and track hours for all LNT volunteers
- Coordinate with MBS department to ensure proper restoration of burn sites
- Educate/communicate LNT ethos with team, camps, & attendees
- Lead the post-event LNT sweep of property
- Track MOOP distribution in relation to theme camps & communication with Placement team
- Coordinate post-event Monday night volunteer dinner
- Coordinate removal of MOOP, lost & found belongings back to the Burner Barn
- Write the After Burn Report.

Time Expectations:
- January-May: attend soak meetings, hire, train, and schedule volunteers.
- On-Site: Attend daily Leads meetings. Most of the active work will happen Monday (last day of event) & Tuesday (post event).

Perks:
- SOAK Lead’s hoodie (exclusive to Lead’s team)
- Department Patches & Stickers
- Same-year (no cost) volunteer Gift ticket
- Access to a Lead’s DGS Ticket
- Access to a Lead’s RV Pass

Must have access to the internet. Must be in good standing with PNW and have not been dismissed or disqualified from volunteer service at a past Regional Event or Burning Man.

The Major Burnable Sculpture (MBS) Department builds the main burnable sculpture for the event (which typically burns on Saturday evening), transports the sculpture to the event site, and sets the sculpture up at the event site.

Responsibilities:
- Attend SOAK Leads meetings, about twice a month
- Procure all materials and tools needed for the project
- Ask the community for art ideas, select a project, and work with the selected artist to build it
- Create a budget for the project
- Manage volunteers
- Recruit people with the skills needed for the different aspects of the project (building, lighting, painting, etc.)
- Support less experienced volunteers gain the skills needed to keep volunteering
- Communicate weekly in person and email
- Track volunteer hours (spreadsheet and/or Volcor)
- Schedule shifts for building dates (on and off site)
- Provide refreshments on and off site
- Build the project within the weeks before SOAK
-Disassemble the project to transport and reassemble/finish it on site
- Coordinate the transportation of the project from the building site to the event
- Communicate with folks in the pyrotechnics crew to plan the burn
- On burn day, assist the Pyro crew and Rangers with the perimeter and burn preparation
- Coordinate with LNT to ensure any unburned materials (metal, nails, etc.) are safely removed from the site
- Provide an After Burn Report
- Work closely with DPW, Fire Safety, Rangers, and Fire Conclave departments

Time Commitment:
Pre-event:
- Twice a month leads meetings (1 hour/meeting)
- Weekly build events (~5 hours/week)
- Weekly preparation and communication for build events (~2 hours/week)
- Arrive on site as early as possible (ideally Tuesday of the event week)
During the event:
- Attend daily staff meetings (may alternate with co-leads)
- Be on-duty daily until the morning after the burn (~8 hours/day)
Post-event:
- Afterburn Report & debrief (~4 hours)

Perks:
- SOAK Lead’s hoodie (exclusive to Lead’s team)
- Department Patches & Stickers
- Same-year (no cost) volunteer Gift ticket
- Access to a Lead’s DGS Ticket
- Access to a Lead’s RV Pass

Requirements:
Must have access to the internet and transportation to building sites.
Must be in good standing with PNW and have not been dismissed or disqualified from volunteer service at a past Regional Event or Burning Man.

The Media Department manages all public messaging related to SOAK and helps keep the community informed about event-related topics.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with Department Leads and Production team to organize relevant information into newsletters and social media posts

• Write copy and format newsletters and social media posts

• Post to Facebook and other social media platforms

• Keep the soakpdx.com website up-to-date with relevant information and consistent formatting

• Work directly with leads in need of assistance with messaging copy and strategy

• Examine and adjust all public facing forms created by Leadership, looking for consistent, clear language and formatting

• Update forms and the website as information changes, in a timely manner. Links and dates are especially important.

• Monitor Facebook DM’s and forward incoming questions from website to Producers or relevant Departments

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Proficient writing and communication skills

• Understanding of social media such as Facebook and Instagram

• Ability to engage online in a helpful and constructive manner

• Proficient using Squarespace (or have the desire to learn)

• Proficient using Mailchimp (or have the desire to learn)

• Access to a computer and internet a must

Perks:

• SOAK Lead’s hoodie (exclusive to Lead’s team)

• Same-year (no cost) volunteer Gift ticket

• Access to a Lead’s DGS Ticket

• Access to a Lead’s RV Pass

Must be in good standing with PNW and have not been dismissed or disqualified from volunteer service at a past Regional Event or Burning Man.

The Design Lead works within the Swag department to design the official event art inspired by the theme. We also design the Survival Guide, physical maps, vehicle passes, Safety Plan, laminates, wristbands, What Where When, and Volunteer/Participant Waivers.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:
- Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Acrobat
- Familiarity with Asana
- Proficiency in Google Suite (or ability to learn Google Docs, Sheets, etc)
- Strong attention to detail is a must

Time Commitment:
Early January: Kick off meeting (1 day + potential overnight; in person or virtual options)
January - SOAK: weekly or twice monthly meetings (virtual or in-person)
June: Contribute to the department’s After Burn Report

Perks:
- SOAK Lead’s hoodie (exclusive to Lead’s team)
- Lead team exclusive swag
- Same-year (no cost) volunteer Gift ticket
- Access to a Lead’s DGS Ticket
- Access to a Lead’s RV Pass

The Volunteer Hospitality (VoHo) Dept helps care for all of our volunteers working on-site by providing water, ice, fresh coffee, and snacks starting with pre-event build through event strike.

More information on experience and hours required to come!