Look below for a full list and description of volunteer positions.
Volunteer Positions
Technical Jobs
Competition Judge:
Watches the matches and assigns points to each team’s robot during the match. Based on the score, signals the winning robot of the match.
Interviewer/Documentation Reviewer:
Interviews team members about the safety procedures that were followed, teamwork displayed, and skills developed during the design and construction of the robot.
Documentation Reviewer
Evaluates notebooks which teams are required to produce, documenting the steps that were taken during building the robot. This individual should be familiar with structural analysis, engineering drawings, assembly models, and/or wiring schematics in order to evaluate the quality of the work produced by the teams in these areas.
Pit Monitor:
Patrols the pit area to ensure all safety procedures regarding work performed on the robots are followed, including the wearing of proper safety eyewear at all times. Ensures that only those people with properly marked name badges are in the pit area. Ensures that no more than six people from any one team are present in the pit area at any given time.
Referee:
Observes matches to determine the presence of any rules violations which may occur in the course of the match.
Safety Judge:
Ensures a team’s robot meets safety guidelines for weaponry, assembly, and electrical systems. These guidelines will be provided on the day of the competition, in the form of a checklist so that no safety aspect is forgotten.
Speed Test Judge:
Ensures that robots meet the minimum and maximum speed requirements before the robot is permitted to compete.
Test Box Monitor:
Observes and monitors testing of a robot’s weapon and drive systems in the box designed for safety during this procedure.
Welder/Grinder:
Controls access to the welding and grinding area, and performs any permitted modifications through welding or grinding of parts for robots at the request of a team.
Non-Technical Jobs
Arena Assembler:
Assembles the arena in which the competition will occur. The following tools will be needed: 7/16-inch and 9/16-inch socket set. We have a limited number of these tools so if you are able to bring your own, it is very much appreciated. Be sure to mark them in some way so that we can ensure that your tools are returned to you if they get misplaced. You may wish to bring protective work gloves, as some pieces may have burrs or sharp edges. We ask that only those who are mechanically inclined and able to lift up to 75 pounds sign up for this job.
Arena Dis-assembler:
Disassembles the arena immediately after the conclusion of the competition. The following tools will be needed: 7/16-inch and 9/16-inch socket set. We have a limited number of these tools so if you are able to bring your own, it is very much appreciated. Be sure to mark them in some way so that we can ensure that your tools are returned to you if they get misplaced. You may wish to bring protective work gloves, as some pieces may have burrs or sharp edges. We ask that only those who are mechanically inclined and able to lift up to 75 pounds sign up for this job.
Arena Sweeper:
Removes any debris generated during a match from the arena before the next match may begin.
Clean-up/Shut-down:
Ensures all supplies and documents are secured after the conclusion of the first day of competition, and knows the location of supplies and documents in preparation for setting up the second day of competition.
Documentation Reviewer Non-Technical:
Evaluates notebooks which teams are required to produce, documenting the steps that were taken during building the robot. A non-technical documentation reviewer will evaluate the quality of student compositions, competition strategies, and funding, time, and data management plans.
Event Photographer:
Takes pictures of the event and the participants to document the proceedings of the competition. May post photographs to the NRL website and other social media, such as Instagram, Twitter and Flickr. Can also record and post videos to YouTube.
Light-Duty Worker:
Carries supplies, completes forms, fills in for volunteers who need a break, helps set up food in the volunteer lounge, and assists with a variety of tasks throughout the event.
Materials Handler:
Carries large, heavy pieces of the arena and equipment from the storage area to the assembly floor, or from the assembly floor to the storage area. You should be able to lift up to 75 pounds to do this job. You may wish to bring protective work gloves, as some pieces may have burrs or sharp edges.
On-Deck Assistant:
Assists with determining which teams will compete in the next match and assigns colors to the teams. Helps to track the progress of teams through the brackets as the competition continues. Provides guidance to the pit runners about which teams should be escorted to the arena area.
Pit Entrance Monitor:
Restricts access to the pit area to those with the proper badges to allow entrance and with appropriate safety glasses.
Pit Perimeter Security:
Monitors the perimeter of the pit area to ensure that no unauthorized individuals or those who lack the appropriate safety goggles and/or name badge enter the pit area.
Pit Runner:
Enters the pit area to inform teams that their match will begin next, and escorts the teams to the arena area in time for the start of the match. Conveys any messages from the committee to the teams, and vice-versa.
Scale Judge:
Measures the weight of each robot before a match to ensure the robot is within the allowed weight limit, particularly after any modification has occurred to the robot.
Score Keeper:
Records and tracks all points earned by teams as a result of competing in matches, forfeits, interviews, and documentation during the course of the competition. This score is used to determine the winner in most award categories. Proficiency with Excel is required.
Sales Clerk:
Sells NRL-related items, such as shirts, hats, and safety glasses, to team members and the general audience.
Team Escort:
Guides teams as they progress through completing interviews, team photographs, and student surveys.
Team Photographer:
Takes photographs of each team involved in the competition, to be given to the team’s school or team members for display.
Team Registration:
Records those team members and faculty sponsor present on the day of competition, hands out badges to allow access to pit, collects release forms, and scans documentation to ensure it is complete before the team is allowed access to the pit area for competition.
Timer:
Signals the start of a match and monitors the timer during each battle, stopping the timer as required by the rules of the competition, and ends the match when the allotted time for the match has expired.
Volunteer Lounge Monitor:
Ensures that only NRL volunteers enter the lounge area, and that adequate quantities of food, beverage, ice, and paper products are available, replenishing as needed.
Wherever Needed:
Use this job designation if you are willing to volunteer your time in almost any capacity at the competitions, set-ups, and/or tear-downs. Please note any restrictions or preferences in the My Note box of the form and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Volunteer Requirements
The National Robotics League (NRL) serves youth. NRL volunteers teach valuable lessons in their conduct with students. Adult misconduct with or in the
presence of youth carries serious consequences. Because the NRL and the NTMA cares that its’ volunteers have healthy, appropriate relationships with the
youth they serve, it has established the following standards.
- Young people look to adults for examples of appropriate behavior. NRL volunteers must use appropriate language and model honorable behavior, such
as respect, integrity, honesty, and excellence. Profanity or sexualized language or jokes are inappropriate when working with students, regardless whether it
occurs face-to-face, over the Internet, or by any other means. NRL strictly forbids violating any state law regarding interactions with youth; for example, providing
them alcohol or legal or illegal drugs, or coaxing them into illicit relationships over the Internet or otherwise. - Volunteers must take particular care when touching youth. Most adults understand the difference between appropriate physical contact such as a handshake
or pat on the back, and contact that is sexual or disrespectful. Volunteers also must be cognizant of how any physical contact may be perceived. - Interactions with students must both be appropriate and appear appropriate. It is expected that volunteers’ interactions with students are at all times
appropriate and professional, and are strictly related to the role of business mentor. It is unacceptable to seek or engage in one-to-one meetings with students
at any time. - Volunteers are responsible for the quality of interactions. Students often find it difficult to state discomfort or objections. Volunteers must be especially
sensitive to physical and verbal cues that youth provide.
The aforementioned standards do not represent a comprehensive list. Other actions not included could result in suspension or dismissal as a volunteer. NRL volunteers
also must read, sign and comply with NTMA/NRL Participant Waiver and Indemnification Agreement. The NTMA and the NRL takes all complaints of misconduct seriously.
Credible allegations of misconduct will be promptly reported to the appropriate authorities. During any such investigation, the NRL volunteer will be placed on leave. If an
investigation determines misconduct occurred, it will result in the immediate and permanent dismissal as a NRL volunteer. Any NTMA staff member or NRL volunteer who
reasonably suspects misconduct must report these suspicions immediately to the appropriate NTMA staff person
