HELP MAKE ANE HAPPEN.
Ready to be part of the magic? We’re thrilled you’re interested in joining our staff! ANE’s staff are dedicated to creating an unforgettable experience for every attendee and we need passionate folks like you to make it happen.
Remember, all of our staff roles are volunteer positions – meaning that they are unpaid – we’re a community-driven event fueled by the passion of our members. But don’t worry, we’ve got some fantastic perks to show our appreciation! Keep reading to learn more about what it means to be an ANE staff member and what you’ll gain from the experience.
Before you jump in, please take a moment to carefully review the information below. We want to ensure you fully understand the responsibilities and rewards of each role. We can’t wait to meet you! If none of the below roles feel like a good fit for you, feel free to write in a role.
WHAT WE ASK OF YOU.
- We seek individuals who demonstrate a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative spirit. By joining our team, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring a successful, safe, and enjoyable convention.
- Your dedication as an Anthro New England staff member directly contributes to the amazing experience we aim to create for our attendees. We ask for a commitment of approximately eight hours per day during the convention for roles that are considered “Seasonal”. Our “Core” roles include vital pre-convention work and typically require work year-round.
- Whether you have a specific skill in mind or are eager to lend a hand as a ‘general support person,’ we welcome your interest! Having a general idea of where you’d like to contribute helps us find the best place for you on the team. If there isn’t a role listed below that fits you, feel free to write in a role you think you’d fit in best for Anthro New England.
- We believe in keeping our staff informed and connected, so we’ll have a few online meetings before the convention for all roles. While we understand you may not be able to attend each and every one, they’re a great way to stay up-to-date. We also use Slack and Google Workspace to share information and collaborate, so please be sure to check them regularly.
- For our dedicated Core roles, we hold regular meetings throughout the year to update progress. While these aren’t required for most of the year, attendance is expected in the final months leading up to our annual event.
We truly value the dedication of our staff members and we want to be clear that it is a significant commitment. If you’re looking for a way to contribute with less time investment, we’ve got plenty of exciting volunteer roles during the convention. If you’re ready for the staff experience, explore our open positions below and see if something sparks your interest!
STAFF TIERS & PERKS.
We couldn’t make Anthro New England happen without the incredible dedication of our volunteer staff! We deeply value every contribution and as a way to show our appreciation, we’ve put together a package of perks that we hope you’ll love. As our Core and Seasonal roles involve different levels of commitment, the perks offered are tailored accordingly.
- Core roles are either specialized roles that need a specific set of skills (eg. Safety, A/V) or roles that require a degree of leadership. In these roles you are expected to put in 21+ hours over the course of the year, whether at-con or leading up in preparation. As a thank-you for your work, you will be provided a space in a compensated staff hotel room or early access to the hotel room block if you would like a private room, free registration, a free staff t-shirt, staff break-room, early access to the dealer’s den and main events, priority access for the Westin elevators, and a staff pin.
- Seasonal roles are great for those who want to give back to Anthro New England, but still want to enjoy the majority of the convention! In these roles you are expected to put in 12-20 hours over the course of the convention (and in limited cases, leading up in preparation.) As a thank you for your work, you will be provided early access to the overflow hotel room block, free registration, a staff t-shirt, staff break-room, priority access for the Westin elevators, and a staff pin.
Panels department staff are responsible for coordinating with panelists as well as our attendees during our event weekend. This can include helping to set up and reset panel rooms, assisting the panelist or other attendees with questions or concerns, checking badges and if necessary, assisting our safety team with managing crowds for larger panels. This is considered a seasonal position.
Qualifications
- Strong communication and customer service skills
- Adaptability towards shifting situations
- Attention to detail
- Familiarity with projectors, basic AV equipment
- Familiarity with Sched, Google Sheets is preferred
- Proactive attitude and willingness to learn
- Relaxed and friendly attitude
If all of this sounds like something that interests you, please apply below!
Volunteer Department staff are front-facing, interfacing with prospective volunteers before and during the convention. Volunteer staff will be responsible for communicating and coordinating with attendee volunteers, including reviewing volunteer requests and availabilities, managing a schedule of at con volunteer needs, and then adapting to changes in the volunteer schedule at con.
Qualifications
- Strong communication and customer service skills
- Adaptability towards shifting situations
- Attention to detail
- Familiarity with Google Sheets
- Proactive attitude and willingness to learn
- Relaxed and friendly attitude
Convention safety staff are one of the major faces of Anthro New England, and are primarily considered a customer service role. Safety staff will be expected to familiarize themselves with Anthro New England policies and procedures, venue layout, schedule, etc; and be expected to answer attendee questions as they arise. Additionally, safety staff will have responsibilities for crowd management such as badge checking, line management, elevator management, etc. Most safety staff will be on scheduled routine patrols throughout the convention function space, and will be expected to respond to various incidents as they arise, and either handle them, or escalate them to their shift lead as appropriate.
Safety staff will be expected to be able to take and log comprehensive incident reports digitally, manage sensitive information, manage the Anthro New England lost and found, etc.
Qualifications
- Developed problem solving skills
- Relaxed and friendly attitude
- Understanding of incident escalation
- Basic understanding of Google Workspace suite of products
- Ability to act and prioritize incidents in stressful, high pressure situations
- Ability to react to new issues on the fly
- Ability to be forceful but polite with attendees and general public for crowd control
If all of this sounds like something that interests you, please apply below!
Our chat moderation staff are one of the most crucial front-facing staff of Anthro New England – you’ll be interfacing directly with our attendees in our Telegram chat as well as in other text-based chats such as our livestreams and Youtube premieres. Moderation staff are expected to familiarize themselves with Anthro New England policies, venues, and other common Q&A topics to be able to answer attendee questions as they arise. Moderation staff should expect to deal with a wide array of individuals, including potential malicious actors who may attempt to disrupt or otherwise negatively affect the attendee experience in our chats, and be ready to appropriately handle these scenarios if and when they occur.
Moderation staff will be expected to collaborate and consult with other fellow moderation staff members and heads of departments for information if needed, and to manage and supervise the attendee chats on a regular basis. We aim to provide a regular ‘schedule’ of staff monitoring our chats, and as such those in other time zones outside of US Eastern Time are actively encouraged to apply.
Qualifications
- Experience with Telegram, Twitch, Youtube and/or Discord chat moderation
- Previous moderation experience, in particular with conventions is preferred
- Experience with chat moderation bots, such as ‘Miss Rose’ in Telegram is preferred
- Relaxed and friendly attitude
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Experience with conflict resolution and de-escalation
- Demonstrated professionalism and discretion
- Proactive attitude and willingness to learn
- Knowledge of online culture and trends
If all of this sounds like something that interests you, please apply below!
Have you ever looked at ANE’s sassy social profiles and thought, ‘I can do that!’? Are you the kind of person (or animal) who likes helping others? Do you have the finesse necessary to use just the *right* amount of emoji in a tweet?
Anthro New England continues to grow, and with that so does our need for a strong, active online presence and the improved ability to communicate with our attendees. With so many of our departments expanding, we need proactive and dedicated individuals to help our social media team handle the internal requests and quick turnarounds needed for our social media posts. You’ll be working alongside our head of social media to craft our silly (sometimes not so silly) messages online, and depending on your abilities, post to our TikTok and Instagram profiles as well!
Qualifications
- Experience with Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Telegram
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Excellent time management skills and a willingness to learn
- Knowledge of online culture and trends
- Demonstrated history of social media experience is preferred
- An Artistic background with access to necessary art programs is greatly preferred
If all of this sounds like something that interests you, please apply below!
Medical team staff are responsible for the physical health and wellbeing of all Anthro New England attendees and team members. Medical staff must have a professional background in, and/or training in the medical field. Primarily medical staff will be responsible for managing and maintaining the infirmary during convention hours under the guidance and direction of a medical technician, however may be expected to fill the role of general safety staff as well if necessary.
Qualifications
- Background and/or formal training in the medical field or emergency response (Lifeguard, Emergency Medical Responder, NREMT Certification, etc.)
- Current CPR certification required.
- Familiarity with crowd control preferred.
- Relaxed and friendly attitude
- Ability to act and prioritize incidents in stressful, high pressure situations
- Understanding of attendee privacy
- Ability to exhibit discretion around potentially sensitive medical issues
- Comfortable interfacing with first responders (City of Boston EMS, Fire, Police, etc.)
If all of this sounds like something that interests you, please apply below!
The Video Assistant will play a critical role in assisting with the setup, operation, and breakdown of all video production and live streaming activities during the Anthro New England convention. This includes supporting filming of live performances, panels held within ballrooms, and other events requiring live record and stream management such as Dance Competition and other main Ballroom events.
This role involves setting up and breaking down AV equipment, operating cameras, and providing technical support during live events. You’ll work with the team to ensure a safe and smooth production, and quickly troubleshoot any issues that arise. Due to the amount of hours this position requires, this is considered a core position.
Qualifications
- Must be able to lift and move heavy equipment (up to 80lbs).
- Experience with video and stage equipment (microphones, lighting, cameras, projectors) is preferred but not required.
- Willingness to learn and adapt to new systems is essential, on the job training will be provided.
- Strong attention to detail in executing stage directions, managing props, and ensuring everything is in place for a flawless performance.
- Ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines, especially under pressure during fast-paced event transitions.
- Clear communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, with a strong ability to work as part of a team. Ability to follow instructions and relate messages effectively.
- Positive attitude and the ability to work in a high-energy, creative environment while maintaining professionalism and enthusiasm is a must.
If all of this sounds like something that interests you, please apply below!
Anthro New England is seeking an additional Technical Director as we continue to grow and increase our number and complexity of our main events! As the Technical Director for the AV team, you will be responsible for the overall technical management of sound, lighting, and video for the Anthro New England convention. You will lead the AV team during events, coordinate all technical elements of the convention’s events, and ensure that all AV systems are properly set up, tested, and functioning throughout the event. You will work closely with performers, panelists, and convention event staff to make sure all technical requirements are met.
This role involves supervising live sound mixing, monitor lighting designs, and managing video productions/live streaming. During events, you’ll be responsible for quickly troubleshooting any technical issues that arise to minimize disruptions. Additionally, you’ll be responsible for maintaining volunteers and other AV staff maintain clear communication with other departments, and ensure all safety protocols are followed. Due to the amount of hours this position requires, this is considered a core position.
Qualifications
- Must be able to lift and move heavy equipment (up to 80lbs).
- Extensive experience in AV production, with strong expertise in sound, lighting, and video equipment.
- Proven experience leading or managing technical teams for live events and/or conventions.
- Solid understanding of audio systems, lighting consoles, and video production (eg, cameras, switchers, projectors).
- Strong knowledge of event production logistics, including crew scheduling, equipment setup, and troubleshooting.
- Ability to think quickly on your feet and resolve technical skills, with the ability to manage a team and liaise with event organizers/other stakeholders.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment with long hours, as well as manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize effectively.
- Experience with technical design and planning for large events or conventions.
- Basic knowledge of electrical safety and proper handling of AV equipment.
- Familiarity with convention culture (especially furry conventions) or interest in the community is a plus.
If all of this sounds like something that interests you, please apply below!
Anthro New England is seeking an additional Stagehand as we continue to grow and increase our number and complexity of our main events! The Stagehand will play a critical role in assisting with the setup, operation, and breakdown of all stage-related activities during the Anthro New England convention. This includes supporting live performances, panels held within ballrooms, and other events requiring technical assistance and stage management such as the Dance Competition and other main events.
You’ll help with stage management, guiding the movement of performers and equipment to ensure smooth transitions between events. Your duties also include providing technical assistance with microphones and sound checks, ensuring the stage is safe, and quickly solving any problems that come up. You’ll collaborate with the entire crew to ensure every performance and event runs seamlessly. Due to the amount of hours this position requires, this is considered a core position.
Qualifications
- Must be able to lift and move heavy equipment (up to 80lbs).
- Experience with video and stage equipment (microphones, lighting, cameras, projectors) is preferred but not required.
- Willingness to learn and adapt to new systems is essential, on the job training will be provided.
- Strong attention to detail in executing stage directions, managing props, and ensuring everything is in place for a flawless performance.
- Ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines, especially under pressure during fast-paced event transitions.
- Clear communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, with a strong ability to work as part of a team. Ability to follow instructions and relate messages effectively.
- Positive attitude and the ability to work in a high-energy, creative environment while maintaining professionalism and enthusiasm is a must.
If all of this sounds like something that interests you, please apply below!
The Lighting Assistant will assist in the setup, operation, and maintenance of all lighting equipment for performances, panels, and events at the Anthro New England convention. This role combines technical lighting knowledge with hands-on support in rigging, positioning lights, and managing the lighting environment to ensure a smooth and dynamic atmosphere for all events. The individual will work closely with the lighting designer and production team to achieve the desired lighting effects for the event.
This role is focused on the technical setup and operation of lighting for the convention. You’ll be responsible for the physical installation and configuration of lighting equipment, including overhead rigs and stage lights. This includes positioning, focusing, and wiring lights, as well as providing grip and gaffer support to safely rig and place equipment. You will also manage cables and electrical connections to prevent tripping hazards.
In addition to setup, you will operate lighting controls and execute lighting cues during performances and events under the direction of the lighting designer. This involves adjusting brightness, color, and effects in real-time, ensuring seamless transitions and coordinating with other crew members. You will also be responsible for troubleshooting and maintenance, ensuring the lighting system functions correctly throughout the event, all while adhering to strict safety protocols for rigging and equipment handling. Due to the amount of hours this position requires, this is considered a core position.
Qualifications
- Must be able to lift and move heavy equipment (up to 80lbs).
- Comfortable working at heights (using ladders/lifts for overhead rigging).
- Ability to work long hours on your feet, including load-ins/load-outs, rehearsals, and events.
- Experience with lighting systems (including stage lights, DMX controllers, and lighting boards) is preferred.
- Familiarity with rigging and grip equipment, such as mounting hardware, flags, and light diffusion materials.
- Basic knowledge of electrical safety and wiring protocols is required.
- Willingness to learn and adapt to new systems is essential, on the job training will be provided.
- Strong attention to detail in executing lighting cues, adjusting light settings based on specific needs, and maintaining consistent lighting effects throughout the event.
- Ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines, especially under pressure during fast-paced event transitions.
- Clear communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, with a strong ability to work as part of a team. Ability to follow instructions and relate messages effectively.
- Positive attitude and the ability to work in a high-energy, creative environment while maintaining professionalism and enthusiasm is a must.
- Prior experience working as a grip, lighting assistant, or gaffer on live events, theatre productions, or film sets is strongly preferred. Experience in a convention or entertainment environment is a plus, but not required.
If all of this sounds like something that interests you, please apply below!
As the Cinematography Director for the AV team, you will be responsible for overseeing all video-related aspects of the Anthro New England convention, ensuring high-quality video production for ballroom panels, performances, live music, and other events. You will collaborate with the AV team to create visually stunning content, ensuring the technical setup of cameras, lighting, and video feeds aligns with the event’s needs. Your role will be to capture the essence of the convention, while also overseeing the technical management and operation of the video team.
As the leader of the video production team, you will be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive video plan for the entire convention. This involves coordinating video coverage across multiple venues, designing video setups with the Technical Director, and overseeing the placement and operation of all cameras. You will also work closely with the lighting team to ensure optimal filming conditions and develop a shot list that captures the event’s most important moments.
Your role also includes supervising all aspects of the live broadcast and recording process. You’ll ensure the quality of video feeds, integrate sound and lighting elements seamlessly, and oversee the post-production process, including editing and archiving. Additionally, you will be responsible for the maintenance of all video equipment and for training and directing your team, all while ensuring that safety protocols are strictly followed throughout the event. Due to the amount of hours this position requires, this is considered a core position.
Qualifications
- Extensive experience in cinematography and video production, with a strong understanding of lighting, camera work, and video equipment.
- Proven experience as a Cinematography Director or similar role in live events, conventions, or broadcast settings.
- Proficient in operating and troubleshooting video equipment, including cameras (DSLR, mirrorless, or professional broadcast cameras), video switchers, and live-streaming platforms.
- In-depth knowledge of lighting techniques for video, with the ability to creative visually compelling shots in various environments and settings.
- Strong understanding of post-production process, including video editing (Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, etc.) and visual storytelling techniques.
- Familiarity with live-streaming workflows, including camera feeds, audio synchronization, and video output for live broadcasts.
- Ability to manage a video team, delegate tasks effectively, and lead a group of technicians during high-pressure moments.
- Excellent communication skills, both in terms of directing your team and coordinating with other AV departments.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment and think creatively to solve challenges on the fly.
- Ability to maintain focus and calm under pressure, particularly when capturing important moments for large audiences.
- Willingness to work long hours during the convention, including evenings and weekends, depending on the event schedule.
If all of this sounds like something that interests you, please apply below!