Volunteer
Our volunteers take time out of their busy schedules, giving their spare hours to make sure the convention runs successfully. Without them, Furnal Equinox simply wouldn’t happen. As our convention grows, we try to offer more to our attendees, and that requires us to constantly grow our volunteer team.
Volunteers often work just a few hours here and there while attending the con.
Volunteers can sign up during convention hours at Con Ops!
Staff
Staffing is a larger time investment, and usually involves duties before the convention as well as during. Our core team of Staff, Department Heads, and Directors work closely together to make sure the inner workings and fine details of our events go as smoothly as possible.
Staff are also Volunteers, but they are the core members of our team. They commit more time to working the convention than Volunteers, but they also receive more perks and rewards, and are assigned to a designated department under which they work. Some staff positions are very involved, while others are less so, and some positions get most of their work done in the months before the con even begins. See below to find positions that best fit you here at Furnal Equinox!
Open Staff Positions
Assistant Treasurer
The Assistant Treasurer is accountable for maintaining a culture of financial stewardship within Furnal Equinox by establishing and maintaining annual budgets, supporting accurate record-keeping, timely financial reporting, and assisting with purchasing where required.
The Assistant Treasurer has a dual reporting responsibility to the following individuals:
- Treasurer (Anthropomorphic Events of Ontario / AEO Board)
- Director of Infrastructure (Furnal Equinox)
The Assistant Treasurer’s duties include:
- Administers the convention’s budget process and collaborates with the Convention Chair, Directors, and Department Leads on submissions and resource allocation;
- Maintains all books and records related to Furnal Equinox, and ensures the accurate and timely recording of financial transactions;
- Prepares and provides regular reporting regarding the convention’s financial position and adherence to budget to the Furnal Equinox Directors and to the AEO Treasurer, and advises on the financial impact of significant operational decisions;
- Administers the convention’s purchasing process of items approved in the budget, and supports with small purchases as previously approved;
- Performs all other duties as the position may require.
Specific Requirements
- Commitment and enthusiasm for AEO’s mission to grow and sustain the local furry community;
- Previous experience in an accounting or bookkeeping position as an employee or volunteer, or similar formal education/training;
- Knowledge of Quickbooks Online software;
- Strong written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and with limited direction;
- Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people throughout the organization;
- Positive attitude with a commitment to ethics and integrity.
Application process
- Apply by contacting us using the form on the Furnal Equinox website.
- We will follow up directly with candidates who meet the requirements for the role for an interview process and additional screening as required.
- Candidates must be prepared to obtain a police record check prior to formally accepting the role.
Dealers Den Positions
Dealers Den Staff
Visual artists, fursuit makers, crafters, and more – all are forms of art that form a cornerstone of the furry community! If vending and supporting artists are important to you, the Furnal Equinox Dealers Den needs your help! We’re looking for someone who can assist with the behind-the-scenes preparations and the at-con supervision of the regular Dealers Den, 18+ Dealers Den, and Artist Alley!
REPORTS TO:
- Head of Department, Dealers Den
- Second-in-Command, Dealers Den
NUMBER OF POSITIONS OPEN: 2-4
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
- Collaborate with the rest of the Dealers Den team to sort and organize applications.
- Help with the vendor vetting and selection process.
- Problem solve and give input in proposed ideas and changes.
- Respond to inquiries and address issues related to the regular Dealers Den, 18+ Dealers Den, and Artist Alley, both pre-convention and at-convention.
WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU:
- Customer-service experience is a must.
- Experience vending at a convention is an asset.
- Familiarity with the Microsoft Platform (Teams, Office)
- Willingness to learn new policies, procedures, and software.
- Be communicative and a team player to help make the con the best it can be.
- Important: If you are selected as a vendor, you will need an assistant to watch your table during your shifts.
Hotel Team Positions
Our Hotel Team helps Furnal Equinox communicate with our hotel and other business partners before, during, and after the convention. None of our room booking is handled through this communication, but there is still a lot of vital discussion on everything from banquets and catering to panel room planning and needs at con, and much more.
Hotel and Venue Relations Liaison
Our Hotel and Venue Relations (HVR) Team supports the Director of Operations with much of the communication between the convention, our venue, and our business partners. You’ll have opportunities to research potential new vendors in addition to maintaining our existing relationships as well. HVR Team Members don’t need to live closely to Toronto but must be able to either support the at-con team in communicating with the hotel, or in advance of the con by articulating Furnal Equinox’s needs to our venue partners via email and phone. The main goal of this team is to simplify communication and discussions with our venue partners and other businesses, and may do so in email, as well as in group chats with venue staff, as well as occasionally over the phone and, when at the convention, in person. This position reports to the Director of Operations and their fellow Liaison Team.
Available Number of Positions: 5
Interview Required – Conducted by Director of Operations and Senior Liaison
Required:
- Some experience in sales, marketing, or customer service
- Background check
- Friendly, approachable, and responsive in all forms of communication
- Experience working in a team environment
- Availability before, during and after the convention (approx. 10hrs/month)
Bonus (not a requirement):
- 1-2+ years experience in sales, marketing, or other business outreach
- Prior experience in hospitality industry is an asset
- Task delegation/management skills
- Availability before and during the convention
- Local to Toronto or GTA
Safety Positions
Our Safety team responds to concerns about attendee health and wellbeing, including maintaining a safe environment at the convention, and requires a background check.
Safety Team Member
The Safety Team is a customer service department, focusing on assisting attendees in a general capacity as well as providing a source of safety at event.
Core Responsibilities
- Answering general attendee questions and directing them to locations where they can get further information (Convention Operations, Information Desk)
- Monitoring the convention space and serving as a representative to identify issues of various types and to assist with resolution
- Assist in managing the lines for large events
Charity Positions
Charity Team Member
Have a love of animals? Want to help support a great cause? What better way than to help the Furnal Equinox Charity Department raise money for our supported charity? FE is looking for outgoing individuals who can help to monitor and answer questions about the silent auction, and to help during the live auction.
REPORTS TO: Charity Department Lead
NUMBER OF POSITIONS OPEN: 6
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
- Monitoring items in the silent auction and answering questions about the auction process
- Helping to act as a liaison between FE and our Charity Representatives (during the convention)
- Assisting in collecting donated items for the auctions, and funds in support of the charity.
- Participating the live auction, assisting in a potential variety of ways (helping to display the item, tracking the bids, gathering winning bidder info, etc.)
WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU:
- A completed Criminal Records Check (CRC) is required (free for volunteers residing in Ontario)
- Prior cash handling experiences is an asset
- Outgoing personality is an asset
- Must be available to attend and assist during the live auction (usually held on the Sunday of FE)
Finance Positions
Finance Team Member
Do you love spreadsheets, see in dollar signs, or have a knack for balancing financial tables? Then we have the role for you! FE is looking for general finance staff to assist with yearly budget preparation and manage the cash office during the convention weekend.
Reports to: Director of Infrastructure
What you will be doing:
- Assisting with budget preparation
- Basic bookkeeping
- Purchasing management
- Managing cash office during con
- Proactive loss prevention and self-auditing
- End-of-year analysis of budget and breakdown
What we want from you:
- Experience using Microsoft Excel
- Attention to detail
- Good number sense
- Cash handling experience
Bonus points:
- Experience using Quickbooks
- Previous experience with professional budgeting
- Previous experience in a similar finance role
Merchandising Positions
Merchandising Team Member
Passionate about con merchandise? Love taking home physical items to remember another year in Toronto? Our Merchandising team is look for people to help design new merchandise for our store and to help run the store for the duration of the con! This is a great opportunity to meet new people and have a direct impact on all the great FE-branded items offered to attendees.
REPORTS TO: Merchandising Lead / Assistant Lead
NUMBER OF POSITIONS OPEN: 4 to 5
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
- Providing assistance to Furnal Emporium Store prior to convention start
- Operating the convention store and ensuring sales are completed properly following all financial protocols
- Ensuring pre-ordered merch is picked and checked out of the system correctly
- Providing input on new merchandise for the sponsors and the internal store
- Working with the team to create a beautiful merch people will cherish for years to come
WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU:
- Sales and/or retail experience
- Communication skills
- Familiarity with the Microsoft Platform
- Time Management Skills and the ability to meet a deadline
- Cash Handling Experience
- Basic Math Skills
- Criminal Background Check
- Square POS Experience (optional)
- Merchandising experience (optional)
A/V Positions
Video Content Editor
Are you a wizard at making kickass videos? Do you find yourself watching lots of videos on editing workflows to maximize your creativity? Well perhaps this job will be for you!! We’re looking for one or two talented video editors who can take raw video from various videographers and turn them into amazing videos that can be scaled for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms.
REPORTS TO: Video Content Lead
NUMBER OF POSITIONS OPEN: 1-2
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
- Post production of video content (ingesting footage, editing, rendering, etc.)
- Working closely with AV leads, as well as PR leads, to create engaging content for broadcast and social
- Follow the policies and procedures of Furnal Equinox during the production of video content
WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU:
- Proven track record of video production skills
- Understanding of content creation for various social platforms
- Timeliness on deliverables / deadlines
- Ability to multitask, prioritize projects, and work either individually, or with others
- Love of content creation and an eye for creative storytelling
- Ideal candidates should be able to provide a demo of their work
Video Content Producer
If there’s one thing at Furnal Equinox we love to do, it’s providing memorable moments for everyone who attends. We aim to bring a new level of storytelling to the convention in a way that’s never been done at FE before! We’re introducing a Video Content team that will produce, shoot, and edit short form videos for broadcast and social before, during, and after the convention. If you have a passion for telling stories and creating content, this is the job for you!!
REPORTS TO: Video Content Lead
NUMBER OF POSITIONS OPEN: 2-3
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
- Preproduction of video content (writing scripts, brainstorming ideas, etc.)
- Execution of video production on location (shooting, interviewing, etc.)
- Post production of video content (ingesting footage, editing, rendering, etc.)
- Working closely with A/V leads, as well as PR leads, to create engaging content for broadcast and social
- Follow the policies and procedures of Furnal Equinox during the production of video content
WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU:
- Proven track record of video production / camera operation skills
- Timeliness on deliverables / deadlines
- Ability to multitask, prioritize projects, and work either individually, or with others
- Love of content creation and an eye for creative storytelling
- Ideal candidates should be able to provide their own equipment (camera, laptop, gimbal, microphones etc.)
Stagehand
Unfortunately, magic hasn’t been invented yet, so we can’t instantly poof props and equipment on and off a stage during a show. That’s why FE’s A/V team is searching for a stagehand who can be available to assist in getting things on and off stage, as well as being a general runner for any productions that happen on the Main Stage.
REPORTS TO: Stage Manager (SM)
NUMBER OF POSITIONS OPEN: 1
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
- Assisting Stage Manager (SM) and Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) with any needs during the course of a show
- Placing props / furniture / equipment on stage, then striking them when need be
- Acting as a runner when necessary
WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU:
- Attention to detail
- Ability to take direction
- Able to dedicate time to shows as scheduled
Staffing Coordination Positions
General Staffing Coordination Team Member
Do you like to talk to people? Do you like helping people? The Furnal Equinox Staffing team is looking for a few enthusiastic individuals to help coordinate and assist other staff members while the convention is happening.
Reports to: Head of Dept.
Open Positions: 3
What you will be doing:
- Providing convention attendees with directions/assistance/information when they approach the booth.
- Helping other departments with last minute tasks while the convention is happening.
- Providing staff with snacks/refreshments when they ask.
- Monitoring the staffing room while it is in operation.
Panels and Events Positions
Panels and Events Member
Panels and Events Staff handles pre-con and at-con correspondence between panelists and the convention. They will help review submitted panels/workshops/performance and aid in the scheduling of panels and events for the con. During the convention, programming staff ensure things remain on schedule and provide panelists with the necessary resource.
Panels and Events Staff also will communicate any deviations from the set schedule to the affected parties so that these changes may be communicated to attendees in an expedient manner.
Required Skills:
- Customer service experience
- Multitasking
- Able to take direction, but also self starter
- Work to deadlines issued by head/assistant head of department
Logistics Team Positions
Our Logistics team is the backbone of the convention, working mostly behind the scenes to provide a seamless experience to our attendees. Most positions work both on-site and off, and much of their work happens right around convention time, but can vary by position. All Logistics Staff positions require: candidates 18 years or older; a background check; and many positions have physical work demands, along with some special training that our team will provide as needed.
Logistics Coordinator
Department: Logistics
Supervisor: Head of Logistics
Job Description: The Logistics Coordinator is the person assigned responsibility for designated areas within the event space during Logistics tasks. They coordinate with logistics staff and other departments to ensure that event setup and teardowns go smoothly. This is a year round position.
Job Elements:
- Assist with Logistics tasks and paperwork
- Developing yearly operational plans for designated areas
- Review and maintain training materials and spearhead training sessions
- Coordinate setup/teardown operations in designated areas
- Coordinate volunteers for Logistics tasks in designated areas
- Coordinate with Logistics drivers, other coordinators and staff
- Coordinate with other departments as required
- Assist with asset and inventory audit initiatives
- Coordinate with hotel liaison and hotel staff as required
- Be available for Logistics tasks year round
Required:
- 18+ age
- Background check
- Must be physically mobile within designated areas
Logistics Inventory Coordinator
Department: Logistics
Supervisor:Logistics Department Lead
Job Description:The Inventory Coordinator is responsible for maintaining assets and inventory for the organization. They will primarily support the organization storage locker by maintaining the business relationship with the storage company, receiving assets, and overseeing asset and inventory audits. They will coordinate with other departments regarding their respective assets and inventories, as well as with Logistics staff for audits and transportation plans. This is a year round position.
Job Elements:
- Assist with pre/post convention Logistics tasks and paperwork
- Coordinate access to storage locker as required by convention department staff
- Developing yearly operational plans for designated areas
- Review and maintain training materials and spearhead training sessions
- Receive assets and inventory at storage locker
- Coordinate with Purchasing teams
- Maintain asset and inventory control systems ie. AssetTiger
- Oversee asset and inventory audit initiatives
- Coordinate with drivers, other coordinators and Logistics staff
- Lead asset and inventory audit initiatives
- Coordinate with other departments
- Be available for Logistics tasks year round
Required:
- 18+ age
- Volunteer background check
Training:
- Project Management
- Asset and Inventory Management
- People Management
- Workplace Safety Course
- Train the Trainer
Logistics Inventory Staff
Department: Logistics
Supervisor:Logistics Coordinator
Job Description: The Inventory Staff is responsible for assisting in the maintainance of organization assets and inventory. They primarily support the organization storage locker; maintaining the business relationship with the storage company, receiving and overseeing asset and inventory audits. They will coordinate with Logistics staff for audits and transportation plans. This is a year round position.
Job Elements:
- Assist Inventory Coordinator as required
- Assist with pre/post convention Logistics tasks and paperwork
- Coordinate access to storage locker as required by convention department staff
- Assist with receiving assets and inventory at storage locker
- Maintain asset and inventory control systems i.e. AssetTiger
- Coordinate with drivers, other coordinators and Logistics staff
- Assist with asset and inventory audit initiatives
Required:
- 18+ age
- Volunteer background check for keyholder to storage locker
- Must be able to work in a physically demanding role
Training:
- Workplace Safety Course
- Asset and Inventory Management