FTC-Iowa: Volunteers

Volunteers are the key to making FIRST Tech Challenge a successful and exciting program for coaches, students, and everyone involved.

This Volunteer section of our website is meant to support the volunteers who make FIRST events possible. Below you will find information and resources that will keep you informed, support your efforts, and help you get the most out of your volunteer experience with FIRST.

Requirements and roles

FTC-Iowa events require a large pool of volunteers with all levels of experience. A technical background is not required.

All volunteers must be at least 14 years old.

For a listing of the volunteer manuals, please visit the Volunteer Resources website.

Volunteer Materials

How do I sign up to be a volunteer?
Please register via the Volunteer Dashboard on the FIRST website. If this is your first time volunteering with FIRST, we do encourage volunteers to view the FIRST Volunteer Registration User Guide.

  • Are there materials I can review before I decide to be a volunteer?
    Yes! FIRST has put together a great set of manuals and guides for you to review, check them out on the Volunteer Resources page.  Also, please remember that volunteers need to show Gracious Professionalism.
  • How do I prepare for volunteering at an event?
    Depending on your role, you may need to do some pre-event training, which may include reviewing a Training Manual. There are a few roles (e.g., referees, judges, lead inspectors, field tech advisors, etc.) that require pre-event training and certification by test. Other roles (judges, referees, inspectors, etc.) require pre-event training calls.
  • What do I need to bring to an event?
    Anyone who attend a FIRST event are encouraged to dress comfortably and wear closed-toe shoes. All volunteers will be given an event t-shirt to wear. In addition, we do encourage volunteers to bring their own safety glasses.

What events need volunteers?

Volunteers are an integral piece to the FTC-Iowa events. Volunteers will impact the lives of many FTC students. Through the Volunteer Dashboard, it will ask you to indicate the events in which you are interested in volunteering. Please keep in mind, we are seeking volunteers for many events.

Volunteer Roles Needed for FTC Iowa Championship

We are seeking volunteers for the following positions:

  • Volunteer Registration Desk
  • Team Check-In Desk
  • Field Tech Advisor Assistant - Pre-event training is required
  • Pit Manager
  • Practice Field Manager
  • Referee - Pre-event training is required
  • Field Attendant/Reset
  • Security & Safety Glasses Police
  • Queuer
  • Hardware Inspection
  • Software Inspection
  • Judge - Pre-event training is required
  • Match Observer
  • Judge Assistant
  • Photographer

If you'd like to volunteer, sign up via the Volunteer Dashboard on the FIRST Website.