Volunteering vacancies
Reffurence is an annual non-profit furry convention in the BeNeLux. We run entirely thanks to our dedicated volunteer team who put their time and love into building this convention every year. Thank you for considering helping us out by joining the team. After all, this event wouldn't be possible without volunteers! Keep in mind that we do require our volunteers to attend certain meetings and that there are expectations with regards to the volunteers who are helping out. Volunteering at Reffurence is a unique experience and we do expect our teammembers to chip in during the convention.
ADMIN
Description
Being the person who likes to be on time? Do you love to set up deadlines and make sure that all other departments and volunteers adhere to the deadlines and goals you set up for the whole convention? Well, then this is the function for you!
Qualifications
- Have a bit of experience with external companies.
- Have experience with purchasing stuff for companies.
- Understand invoices and be able to calculate that into the budgets of the conventions.
- You're a teamplayer who's able to also keep people updated and informed about the planning.
Responsibilities
- Being the right-hand of the board president when it comes to the timeline and planning of the convention.
- Making sure that all the deadlines are known and all critical paths are defined.
- Being the coordinator for the convention when it comes to purchasing.
- Keeping track of the deliveries, budgets and invoices.
- Be the connection between the HoD's and Directors and the convention's timeline and needs to be purchased.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
Do you like to create a big enormous planning for a furry convention? Or are you a master of purchasing items as cheaply as possible whilst having the best quality of items? And are you a master in budgeting without making our HoD Finance go crazy?
Qualifications
- Have a bit of experience with external companies.
- Have experience with purchasing stuff for companies.
- Understand invoices and be able to calculate that into the budgets of the conventions.
- You're a teamplayer who's able to also keep people updated and informed about the planning.
Responsibilities
- Making sure that all the deadlines are known and all critical paths are defined.
- Being the person who's dealing with spending budget when it comes to purchasing.
- Keeping track of the deliveries, budgets and invoices.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
This function is one of the most unique volunteer positions that we have, with a huge responsibility within the administrative branch. Being able to talk, agree and plan all the content and stuff that are involved with the external companies of the convention, this is a good position to make sure that your communications skills are actually used in full.
Qualifications
- Be fluent in Dutch and English, wording and writing.
- Have a bit of experience with external companies.
- Be able to write formal business letters.
- Understand invoices and be able to calculate that into the budgets of the convention.
Responsibilities
- All communication with external companies.
- Keeping track of the deliveries, budgets and invoices.
- Be the connection between the HoD's and Directors and the external companies.
- Manage all the communications and agreements between the convention and the hotel/possible venue(s).
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
Organizing a furry convention is a big hassle, but making sure that the (public) news writes the same story that we're pursuing is an important task for the whole of the fandom.
Qualifications
- Preferably have a Bachelor's degree in a field like "Media and Information" or "Journalism".
- Have experience with the Furry Fandom and being able to portrait a picture of the fandom.
- Know what the general public thinks of Furry's and the Furry Fandom and be able to decline all the possible negative impact.
Responsibilities
- Responding to press related inquiries from newspapers and agencies.
- Being the right-hand of the Board President when it comes to our corporate image.
- Indexing all the press-related activities and who's talking to who.
- Proofreading everything before it gets published.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
Are you getting warm when you hear that this function is overseeing the planning, development, and management of all aspects related to human resources? Well, this is your chance. I mean, that's exactly what the Head of the HR is supposed to do.. right?
Qualifications
- Be fluent in English, wording and writing.
- You know what sensitive data is.
- You have an aversion to gossiping.
- An education in HR / Business Administration would be nice.
- You are better in communication that most of us.
- You know how to handle job-interviews.
- You know how to work with Sharepoint and a (Support/Email) ticketing system.
- And you're a good team manager, because you'll have some volunteers helping you.
Responsibilities
- Handling GDPR data of our volunteers.
- Make sure that the volunteers have signed their agreements.
- Sign up and sign out the volunteers.
- Make sure that the volunteers are happy and their wellbeing needs are met.
- Find new recruits and make sure they feel welcome.
- Make sure that the list of vacancies is up to date.
- Be the confidant of the organization.
- Providing training and development opportunities to volunteers.
- Ensuring compliance with volunteering/employee laws and regulations.
- Managing volunteers compensation and benefits.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
PAWS
Description
Do you want to play an important role in keeping Reffurence run smoothly and safe for our attendees? We're looking for volunteers to join our Security Team to interact with attendees, help out with crowd control, and ensure the event runs smoothly so that everyone can enjoy their time without worry.
Qualifications
- Be fluent in English, wording and writing.
- Able to work in a team.
- Can keep your calm in busy situations.
- Able to de-escalate heated situations.
- Able to handle attendee data and incidents in confidentiality.
- Able to assess situations that may pose a risk to attendee wellbeing.
- Having a BHV or first aid certificate is a plus.
- It's handy if you already have experience with L.A.S.S.I.E, but we're teaching you if you don't know how it functions.
Responsibilities
- You are supposed to be able to understand working procedures. These are things like how to talk to dispatch, where to patrol during a shift, how to escalate an incident. You will be provided with sufficient guidance and training materials to perform your job.
- Expect to have an at least dedication of on average 20 hours during the convention to Safety duties.
- You are expected to be on time for the (self-)scheduled shifts. ^^
- You are the “face” of Reffurence. You help attendees with questions, check their wellbeing and are willing to help them further with their issues.
- Have good communication skills. You'll be interacting with our attendees and the rest of our volunteers.
- Expect to have to follow the chain of command. But due to the unpredictability of what happens at a convention, you should also be able to be flexible in assessing any situations you encounter.
- Capable of enforcing the policies of Reffurence and the venue where required.
- Important: Safety is 24/7 available to help attendees with any issues that may arise and protect them from others (and sometimes themselves).
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
At ConOPS, you will be in direct contact with our attendees, answering all kind of questions about the convention and the hotel, operating lost and found and much more. And we all know that being in a positions where "anything can happen", this one is a good starting function for all who're unsure about what the convention can offer.
Qualifications
- Be fluent in English, wording and writing.
- Some sort of crisis-management education / experience.
- A quick learner and thinker.
- You know what sensitive data is.
- You have an aversion to gossiping.
- You are better in communication than most of us.
- It's handy if you already have experience with L.A.S.S.I.E, but we're teaching you if you don't know how it functions.
Responsibilities
- Handling GDPR data of our attendees.
- Being present at the ConOPS desk during hours to answer all kind of questions.
- Know a lot about the convention itself, so you can answer the questions.
- Logging the questions in our systems so we can make announcements if necessary.
- If applicable, help out with the lost-and-found items of attendees.
- If applicable, organize the luggage-storage for attendees.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
Were you standing in that long line at the start of the convention, complaining that registration took so long? Well.. This is the volunteer opening for you, because applying for this task, you can actually make a change.
Qualifications
- Not panicking when working with a large queue in front of the desk.
- Having a great customer service smile and attitude.
- Being able to work with sensitive data without sharing them with others.
- You like to work early, because that's when everyone arrives.
- It would be nice if you are fluent in more than one language (in wording).
Responsibilities
- Handling sensitive personal data (GDPR).
- Providing basic information to attendees.
- Checking identity and payment statuses.
- Handing out sponsor-items and sponsor-bags.
- Welcoming everyone to the convention.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
ORGANISATION
Description
You think you can do a better job than Refferic? Well, that's not a difficult task, because he's mostly preoccupied with running the whole convention. So even though it's his daily job, he won't have much time, so doing a better job should be easy. Apply if you dare! :)
Qualifications
- You are at least 21 years of age.
- You have at least 1 year of experience in driving cars, preferably vans.
- In possession of an (EU-Valid) drivers-license, for vehicle category B.
- Some sort of crisis-management education / experience.
- A quick learner and thinker.
- You need to have a special love for the word "rustle".
- And you love to have to set up things the first time right.
Responsibilities
- Being in charge of all the transportation of the convention.
- You're gonna be responsible for the planning and "expected loads" of trucks, busses and vans.
- Everything (tables, chairs, items owned by Reffurence, etc.) on the convention also has to be planned and moved.
- You will have a neatly organized storage unit to your disposal. (We have made pictures, so we hope it stays organized!)
- You will also work together with our Asset Management team.
- Making sure that all the items, assets, hired assets and attendee's are arriving and departing safely from our convention.
- You will also have a small team to lead.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
You’ll be part of the crew responsible for loading in and out of the convention, ensuring key features are set up correctly, and (if you’re local) assisting with warehouse preparations.
Qualifications
- You are at least 21 years of age.
- You have at least 1 year of experience in driving cars, preferably vans.
- In possession of an (EU-Valid) drivers-license, for vehicle category B.
- Physically able to stand, walk, and lift.
- Capable of working independently or as part of a team.
- Experience working at conventions or large events is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Assist with loading in and out of products and equipment.
- Collaborate with other departments to complete various tasks and setups throughout the convention.
- Maintain safety procedures in all tasks to ensure a secure working environment.
- Inventory convention items and storageroom supplies, ensuring everything is accounted for.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
Do you like to visit the dealersden? Well, you're in luck, because this function is the one that makes or breaks the dealers den at the convention! Do you have a commercial mind? Don't mind taking charge and managing volunteers, items and time schedules?
Qualifications
- Be capable to plan ahead.
- Be fair and unbiased.
- Able to make floor plans.
- Be able manage expectations.
- Be in good standing with various dealers and artist.
- Know what a dealer visiting our convention would want from us.
- Be able to manage the Dealersden and other projects.
- And maybe know some Dealers yourself so you can invite them personally. :)
Responsibilities
- Planning and visualizing the Dealer's Den.
- Communicating with potential dealers and other commercial partners.
- Unfortunately also saying "no" to the dealers who didn't make it for the next edition.
- Close collaborating with the Conshop.
- The point person for issues during the Dealers Den opening hours.
- Together with Safety, make a plan for crow control and keeping count of the amount of visitors.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
Did you enjoy our events last edition? Well, probably you've seen one of our volunteers helping around. Making sure the panel rooms are ready for the next panel, helping out at the charity booth, filling up the electrolytes at the fursuitlounge or running around to get the donations for our charity. This is the function for you!
Qualifications
- Professional attitude
- Fluent in English, in wording and writing.
- You don't mind to help out with some (physical) little tasks to help to run our convention.
Responsibilities
The Attendee Affairs department consists out of the following groups, which allows you, as volunteer, to pick and choose the job's that are most fun to you.
Charity
- Making sure that people who want to donate fund to charity can find you.
- Helping out at the charity events.
- Being present at the charity booth.
Conshop
- Being present during the opening hours of the conshop.
- Being able to assist with the sale of merchandise.
- Being able to answer questions of the attendees.
Dealers
- Helping out at the dealer's den with general small tasks.
- Helping out the dealer's with all kind of requests.
- Making sure that the dealer's table is set up on time in the right location.
- Making sure that the dealer has everything ordered with registration.
- Making sure the dealer's den stays safe and make sure that the room doesn't get overcrowded.
Fursuits
- Helping out fursuiters with all kinds of requests and questions.
- Making sure that the fursuitlounge is tidy and clean.
- Having a 6th-sense for lost-and-found items lying around.
- Ability to remove stimkies from the room.
- Being able to (physical) re-stock cans of water and electrolytes.
- Don't eat too much candy and salty snacks. :3
Panels
- Helping out attendees who want to host their own panel.
- Making sure that the rooms is ready for the panels scheduled.
- Being able to quickly think on your feet about solutions and things to arrange.
- Embracing change, dislike for a planning that never changes. x3
- Act as the “face” of Reffurence. You help attendees with questions, but you're also participating in the events together with the attendees.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
CREATIVE
Description
You all have seen our merchandise rising up from the depths of the sponsor bags, or being sold at the conshop. Well, we have made a couple of mistakes with the last editions. So are you the one who is going to coördinate this?
Qualifications
- Be fluent in Dutch and English, wording and writing.
- Sales and/or retail experience.
- Communication skills should be present.
- Ability to want to work with a company that arranges most of the things.
- You know how to provide that company with the requirements for designs.
- Time Management Skills and the ability to meet a deadline.
Responsibilities
- Designing and defining the merchandise.
- Helping out the conshop with their demands.
- Creating and put together different tiers of sponsorpacks.
- Define the contents of the staff packs.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
Being an allround design volunteer is always something we're looking for! There is so much to be designed and worked on, that we're almost always looking for this type of volunteer.
Qualifications
- Digital art experience
- Experience with furry artists / commissions
- Must be comfortable with potentially collaborating with other artists (one does sketching, one does lines, one does colors, etc)
- Doesn't really mind to help out with the conbook, signage, website, etc.
- We're generally looking for the following designers:
- UX-Design (Web and Mobile)
- Illustration and Packaging Design (Signage / Merchandise)
- Publication and Typographic Design (Conbook)
- Advertising and Marketing Design (Social Media)
Responsibilities
- Work together with the HoD Design and the Leads in order to create or commission art for the upcoming edition.
- Help brainstorm design ideas for merchandise or other art assets.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
IT
Description
The website you're looking at has been made by our volunteers who like to work on our frontend! That's amazing, because if we wouldn't have those volunteers, this page wouldn't exist.. Weird.. I know. Members of our Frontend team are versatile and creative individuals that have an eye for perfection and a dedication to their craft. They do most of their work before and after the con, and help maintain and expand Reffurence's possibilities internally and externally.
Qualifications
- Knowledge on HTML/CSS/JS.
- Knowledge on developer tools like Git(Hub), NPM, Prettier, so on.
- Experience with JS web frameworks, preferably Svelte/SvelteKit.
- Experience with designing for the web.
- Experience working with deployment tools like Docker.
- Plus: Experience with TailwindCSS.
- Plus: Experience with Tauri.
- Plus: Experience with Storybooks.
- Plus: Experience with Deno.
Responsibilities
- You will be working with others on projects and be responsible for your deliverables.
- You will be designing pages and sites in accordance to our design language.
- You'll work across different projects and do your best to meet key milestones for the convention.
- You're expected to attend meetings to work together as a team.
- You'll be helping other departments with their potential frontend needs.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Description
Do you like to hide your work? Because working at the backend API, nobody will see your work up close. However, when everything works, it's even more invisible to people. Does this sound nice? Then come and join the backend team!
Qualifications
- Knowledge on RestAPI.
- Knowledge on developer tools like Git(Hub), NuGet, Visual Studio, so on.
- Knowledge on deployment tools like Docker Compose, Docker Swarm, Portainer, so on.
- Experience with ASP .NET framework.
- Experience with SQL, MySQL, MariaDB.
- Experience with xUnit (or similar tooling).
- Plus: Experience with Grafana, Prometheus, Loki for visualization and logging.
- Plus: Being able to translate it into the needs for the frontend team.
Responsibilities
- You will be working with others on projects and be responsible for your deliverables.
- You will be writing functions, classes and scripts in accordance to our design language.
- You'll work across different projects and do your best to meet key milestones for the convention.
- You're expected to attend meetings to work together as a team.
- You'll be helping other departments with their potential backend needs.
Interested?
Send an email to hr@reffurence.com. Make sure you add the following details:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
Can't find something that interests you?
Don't worry, feel free to reach out anyways! Just be sure to include the following information with your email:
- Your first and last name.
- Your fursona name.
- Your telegram handle or email address.
- The position you're applying for.
- Why we should consider you.
hr@reffurence.com
Vacancies FAQ
Commitment details
Location details
Reffurence is a Furry Convention, from the 30th of October until the 2nd of November, taking place in Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands