Alchemy 2024 Department Lead Call outs!

Applications have closed, thank you everyone who applied!

Alchemists! We are seeking passionate and dedicated burners to join our year-round Event Committee team. If you have the time, energy, relevant skills and experience, and get excited at the idea of learning and doing more for your community - we need YOU!

Applications for the Event Committee are open to all members of the Alchemy Community who want to help create a collaborative, engaging and inclusive team environment where people are inspired to contribute and make a difference for our community.

We are currently accepting applications through February 29th, 2024 for the following Departments:

  • D6

  • Operations

  • Safety

  • Communications**

  • Burner Services**

  • Fire Services**

  • Leadership Support & Development**

** Are you confused? Isn't “Fire Services” a Team and not a Department? What the heck is Burner Services? Since when have we had a Communications Dept? Is anything real?

No. This is all imaginary, but continue scrolling to learn more about the current openings and the changes to our organizational structures for 2024 to reduce burnout and increase opportunities for participation for all members of our leadership team.

Already know what you want to do? Click here to apply! For more information, keep reading.

Important note Team and Task Lead positions (directly responsible for one specific group or deliverable instead of a Department) will be opening in Spring 2024, and a separate application will be posted at that time.

EVENT COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

The EVENT COMMITTEE (EC) is an executive level BOD Committee that derives authority from and is empowered to act as defined in the EC Charter. It consists of the Event Lead Team and all Department Leads. This year-round team is responsible for planning and executing all FAI events. In addition to hosting Alchemy, the EC manages a robust year-round calendar.

The EC will project manage operations and overall event logistics. This group consists of several categories of leaders that collaborate to drive the planning, execution, and closing of FAI events.

The EVENT LEAD TEAM (ELT) consists of 2-4 Event Leads working together to produce events. The ELT works directly with the BOD to maintain and preserve the goals and vision of FAI events and related policies. The ELT oversees the Department Leads and all Production Advisor/Liaison Support (PALS) roles who make up the rest of the EC.

DEPARTMENT LEADS (DL) manage and support the department teams and their leads. They are the bridge that connects the teams with the ELT, the rest of the EC and the BOD.

Event Lead & Department Lead roles run on an annual term from January 1st of this year through January 31st of next year.

PRODUCTION ADVISORS, LIAISONS, SUPPORT (PALS) work directly with Department & Team Leads at the direction of the ELT and BOD to support specific tasks, projects, and goals. PALS provide a wide arrangement of support and resource options to make life easier for our Leads throughout the year. Department Leads are assigned at least one PAL to support them in achieving their goals and reduce the risk of burnout.

Are you a visual person? View Department & Team distribution with descriptions HERE

WHAT DOES A DEPARTMENT LEAD ACTUALLY DO?

DEPARTMENT LEADS (DL) manage and support the department teams and their leads. They are the bridge that connects the teams with the ELT, the rest of the EC and the primary role is to manage and support the department teams and their leads. They are the bridge that connects the teams with the rest of the Event Committee and BOD.

Department Leads can expect to dedicate an average of 2-6 hours each week to their duties. Depending on the role/time of year your actual hours worked each week may fluctuate between 0-15.

Once we receive your application one of our Event Leads will reach out to you to discuss the unique work cycle of the role you are applying for.

Necessary Qualities, Knowledge & Experience

  • Desire to serve the burner community.

  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team with integrity and respect.

  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions under pressure.

  • Familiarity with the department or team you are applying to lead.

  • Ability & willingness to

    • Delegate responsibilities to a team of co-leads, coordinators, assistants and/or advisors.

    • Receive, process, and take collaborative action on constructive feedback received from other members of the team or community.

Desirable Qualities, Knowledge & Experience

  • Event Planning and/or Project Management experience.

  • Several years of experience in a senior leadership role within the Burn Community.

Baseline Responsibilities

  • Help to create a collaborative, engaging and inclusive team ethos where people are inspired to contribute and make a difference for their community.

  • Manage all Teams within the set department, Task Leads & Supporting Events.

  • Manage department-specific projects; Coordinate tasks, projects, and supporting events involving other teams/departments.

  • Recruit, select, and onboard Team Leads (TLs)

    • Keep in regular contact with TLs in your department to coach, mentor and assist them to remove roadblocks.

  • Maintain communication and information sharing throughout your department.

  • Prepare, manage, and maintain all department documentation including but definitely not limited to:

    • Department Operations Manual (DOM)

    • Department Budget Form

  • Prepare for and participate in event meetings.

    • EC Meetings: 1 – 2 hours each (depending on time of year) - The schedule shown below is reflective of the meeting schedule used by the 2022 & 2023 EC. The 2024 team may choose to amend this as they see fit & agree upon

      • 1x per month January & February

      • 2x per month March - July

      • Weekly from August – November (no meeting the first week after Alchemy)

    • Team Lead Meetings:

      • Meet regularly with your Team Leads, either monthly or bi-monthly minimum

      • Attend 2-4 All Hands Team Lead Meetings throughout the year,.

(keep reading to find out how to apply)

CURRENT OPENINGS

BURNER SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Burner Services mission is to make your burn experience as smooth, fun, and welcoming as possible. Their teams work to connect and drive interaction between burners, the principles, and the abundant resources that exist within our community. The Burner Services Lead will work with their teams to deliver assistance, support and information to all participants and volunteers. This position requires excitement and exceptional patience. You must be able to delegate and motivate, and must have experience leading a team of volunteers.

OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT

The Operations Department works to ensure the smooth and efficient function of year round event operations and logistics. Cross-departmental collaboration and process optimization are critical to success in this role.Ops is a fast-paced, chaotic, working environment and the Ops Department Lead must have the skills necessary to function and thrive in that environment. These skills include dynamic problem-solving, self-sufficiency, flexibility, emotional intelligence, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and a generally proactive approach that keeps things moving forward.

SAFETY DEPARTMENT

The Safety Lead oversees the teams responsible for the safety of participants and property. The primary areas of focus are managing incidents, being aware of the general safety requirements for a large event, providing ongoing training and support to department volunteers to ensure they have the skills required to continue volunteering, and communicating to the community about safety requirements and best practices. The Safety Lead must be patient, diligent, organized, and effective when dealing with conflict. Collaboration skills: active listening, the ability to empathize, and good verbal communication skills are vital to success in this role. Familiarity with FEMA’s Incident Command System, and a willingness to further that education and pursue formal certification is required.

FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

The Fire Services Department ensures safe and smooth burn down planning, remediates unintentional fires and life safety emergencies, and inspects fire art. The Fire Services Department Lead works closely with local fire departments pre-event and on-site. Analytical problem solving skills, the ability to respond in stressful situations, organization, and a willingness to formulate and disseminate vital safety information to the community prior to the event are essential to success in this position. The Fire Services Lead must have great communication skills and the ability to interface with participants and fellow Leads in a constructive manner. Previous experience managing controlled burns is required for this role. Some knowledge and experience in ICS leadership is preferable, and a willingness to expand on your knowledge as needed is required.

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

The Communications Lead manages all public messaging and aligns communication strategies to keep the community informed about event-related topics The Communications Lead must have the ability to understand and communicate information in a clear and logical manner, and must be able to engage online in a helpful and constructive manner. The Communications Lead must be adaptable, diligent, organized, and effective when dealing with conflict

LEADERSHIP SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT

The Leadership Support & Development Department is responsible for ensuring that leadership support roles are set up to successfully assist in all other areas from basic gaps in knowledge to ensuring volunteers are watered and fed! The LSD Lead’s goal is to make our volunteers’ lives easier by ensuring we have useful and accessible policies, support structures, and continuing education in place to help volunteers navigate their roles. The LSD Lead works to ensure Leads have good work/life balance by helping them recognize when they need help, need to delegate tasks or to take a break. Collaboration skills: active listening, the ability to empathize, and good verbal communication skills are essential to success in this role. Experience in developing people-oriented processes and policies is a must.

LEAD IN TRAINING - ALL DEPARTMENTS

Interested in testing the waters? Want to learn a little more about the job role? Maybe see a little bit of how the sausage is made before fully committing? Then the Lead In Training role is for you. It’s gonna be LIT y’all.

You made it!

Fill out this form to apply!