Work With Us

Looking for a flexible way to volunteer before the festival? Help us spread the word! Our Outreach Crew helps promote festival programming through independent poster distribution or virtual community outreach on a schedule that works for you.

The Physical Outreach Team will pick up materials from the WOTS office or designated location and independently distribute posters, flyers, and promotional items to assigned locations.

The Digital Outreach Team will meet virtually once a week to get acquainted with groups and organizations throughout the city and connect them with festival programming.

These are flexible, pre-festival roles ideal for volunteers who want to contribute on their own schedule.

Please note:

• Work takes place from late August through September 2026
• Access to transit or personal transportation is preferred for physical outreach
• Volunteers are responsible for collecting and distributing materials independently
• No training session required

The Marketplace & Exhibitor Relations Crew works directly with publishers, bookstores, literary organizations, sponsors, and vendors to help ensure a successful festival experience. This team is often the first point of contact for exhibitors arriving onsite and plays a key role in supporting the Marketplace throughout the weekend.

Responsibilities include:

• Assisting exhibitors with setup and booth location
• Supporting load-in and load-out operations
• Delivering updates and information between staff and exhibitors
• Monitoring marketplace flow and assisting with visitor traffic
• Supporting exhibitor and sponsor needs throughout the festival
• Providing general on-the-ground troubleshooting and assistance

This role offers valuable experience working directly with the literary and publishing community in a fast-paced festival environment.

Please note:

• Extended periods of standing and walking are expected
• Customer service experience is an asset
• Volunteers should be comfortable working outdoors in all conditions
• Physical activity is involved, including light lifting

The Logistics Crew is the operational backbone of The Word On The Street, ensuring that the entire festival site is built, maintained, and taken down efficiently and safely. Working closely with festival staff, vendors, and exhibitors, this team helps keep every part of the festival moving smoothly.

Responsibilities include:

• Festival setup and teardown
• Installing and removing signage and materials
• Supporting exhibitor load-in and directing vendors to assigned spaces
• Delivering materials across the festival site
• Setting up programming and operational spaces
• Assisting with load-in/load-out logistics, including truck coordination
• Providing on-the-ground support for festival operations

This is a highly active, hands-on role with a significant impact on the success of the festival.

Please note:

• Early morning shifts may be required, especially during exhibitor load-in
• Pre-festival shifts take place on Friday, September 25, 2026
• This role involves frequent lifting, carrying, standing, and walking
• Volunteers should be comfortable working in a physically demanding environment

The Volunteer Management Crew provides essential support to the Community Engagement team and ensures that over 150 volunteers are supported throughout the festival weekend. This behind-the-scenes team helps keep volunteer operations organized, welcoming, and efficient.

Responsibilities include:

• Volunteer check-in and check-out
• Distributing supplies, meals, and resources to volunteers
• Supporting shift transitions and break coverage
• Assisting with attendance tracking and coordination
• Greeting and supporting volunteers throughout the site
• Providing administrative and logistical support to the volunteer program

This role is key to ensuring every volunteer has a positive and supported experience.

The Information Crew serves as the primary public-facing support team for festival visitors and is often the first point of contact for attendees. Volunteers help guests navigate the site, answer questions, and ensure visitors have a positive and informed festival experience.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing directions and festival information to visitors
• Answering questions about programming, exhibitors, and site layout
• Distributing festival materials and schedules
• Communicating operational updates via two-way radio
• Relaying visitor concerns or issues to festival staff
• Supporting incident reporting, lost & found, and general inquiries
• This role requires strong communication skills and comfort using communication tools such as two-way radios.

Please note:

• Customer service experience is strongly recommended
• Volunteers must be comfortable using two-way radios
• Some lifting and extended periods of standing/walking are expected

This role places volunteers at the heart of festival programming across four stages and one workshop space.

Stage Crew / Author & Bookseller Relations volunteers help ensure that all programming sessions run smoothly, on time, and with excellent support for authors, moderators, booksellers, and audiences.

Responsibilities include:

• Welcoming authors, speakers, and presenters
• Assisting with stage transitions and scheduling
• Supporting audience management and seating flow
• Supporting book signing logistics and transitions
• Assisting booksellers and moderators during programming
• Supporting green room and stage area operations
• Conducting audience counts and assisting with session timing
• This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with festival programming and literary professionals.

Please note:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential
• Volunteers should be comfortable working directly with authors and the public
• Extended periods of standing and walking are expected

The Donation Crew helps keep the festival thriving by encouraging guests to support it through donations

Donation volunteers will be roaming the venue, and will either carry a tap-to-donate device, or be stationed near a fixed standing unit. All donations will be by card-only.

Responsibilities include:

• Approaching guests and inviting them to make a donation
• Providing information about the festival’s activities and impact
• Ensuring tap-to-donate equipment is safely handled and secured at all times
• May include basic navigation of an Ipad or a similar device

Please note:

• Extended periods of standing and walking are expected
• Customer service experience is an asset
• Volunteers should be comfortable working outdoors in all conditions

The Flex Crew is a dynamic, all-purpose support team that helps wherever needed across the festival site.

Flex volunteers may move between multiple areas and provide support wherever additional assistance is required.

Responsibilities may include:

• Supporting multiple festival crews as needed
• Providing break coverage for volunteers
• Assisting with information tents and programming venues
• Supporting logistics and exhibitor needs
• Acting as runners between festival zones
• Assisting with general festival operations and problem-solving
• Supporting donation or engagement activities if required

This role is ideal for first-time volunteers or those who want to experience multiple aspects of the festival.

Please note:

• Volunteers should be adaptable, proactive, and comfortable with varietyPhysical activity and extended standing/walking are expected
• No two shifts will look the same