The Volunteer Team Behind Bluesfest
Private recruitment applications are now OPEN for 2025!
**Note: The volunteer opportunities below are for our private/specialized recruitment campaign. Some crews require volunteers to have additional experience or a special skill to be considered.**
Please review the opportunities below and carefully read the job description that fits your skillset or interest to see the job expectations and requirements. To apply, click the corresponding Google Form (linked) to submit your application.
Applicants will only be contacted if they are considered for a position – we recommend you also apply to ONE (1) publicly recruited team while you’re waiting for your acceptance.
Let the weather be the only surprise this season! ☀️💨🌦
A-TEAM (15-17)(18+)
Are you someone who loves to make sure everyone has the same exceptional festival experience, regardless of disability or limitation? If so, consider joining our specialized A-Team and provide support to any volunteer or patron who needs a little extra assistance navigating our festival grounds.
Ottawa Bluesfest’s A-Team is a team of volunteers who supports the festival’s accessibility policies by helping out volunteers and patrons with accessibility issues around and across our festival grounds.
Are you an experienced support person? Do you enjoy working 1 on 1 with other people? A-Team buddies will pair up with volunteers to help support them throughout their shifts; the more A-team volunteers we have, the more volunteers we can support on-site. More information to come!
Click HERE to read this Opportunity’s full job description
Applications for A-Team are OPEN! Apply HERE
For additional accessibility information click HERE
Box Office (15-17)(18+)
Are you someone that is able to keep cool as a cucumber and organized amidst chaos? If so, join the Box Office team, responsible for providing exceptional services to our patrons who wish to purchase their ticket, have issues with tickets or pick up prepaid tickets.
Box Office volunteers provide frontline customer service to our patrons wishing to purchase a ticket, upgrade their tickets or pick up pre-paid tickets. If you want to be part of the excitement and ensure our patrons and guests get off to a great start, then this crew is for you!
Click HERE to read this Opportunity’s full job description
Applications for Box Office are OPEN! Apply HERE
For additional accessibility information click HERE
photo team (18+)
Do you have a keen eye for photography? Our Photo Team is responsible for annually documenting the Ottawa Bluesfest volunteer story and capturing epic festival moments, fantastic fans, and—most importantly—our great volunteers!
The volunteer Photo Team is responsible for annually documenting the Ottawa Bluesfest volunteer story. Covering the entire festival grounds and all volunteer areas, members of this team will use their eagle-eyes to scope out people and activities that will find their place in the festival’s digital archives.
Click HERE to read this Opportunity’s full job description
Applications for Photo Team are OPEN! Apply HERE
For additional accessibility information click HERE
poster gallery (18+)
Are you someone who appreciates and/or collects limited edition memorabilia? Are you excited to engage patrons in bidding wars for once in a lifetime experiences? If so, consider joining our Poster Gallery team in displaying and selling autographed memorabilia and collectable posters that support the Ottawa Bluesfest Charities, Blues in the Schools and Be in the Band! This team also conducts Silent Auctions for our Best Seats in the House fundraising initiative—a chance for our patrons to sit stage-side during an artist’s performance!
The Poster Gallery displays and sells autographed and non-autographed festival commemorative posters and memorabilia. Proceeds from the sale of posters support Ottawa Bluesfest’s charities, Blues in the Schools and Be in the Band.
Click HERE to read this Opportunity’s full job description
Applications for Poster Gallery are OPEN! Apply HERE
For additional accessibility information click HERE
SWAT TEAM (15-17)(18+)
Have you volunteered with Bluesfest in the past? Are you over 18 and a flexible, dedicated team-player ready for any challenge or special assignment? Join our specialized team of S.W.A.T. energizers (Support, Welcome, Appreciation & Training) as they provide reinforcement to Volunteer Services and the various demands of the festival such as staff support, crowd control, appreciation and more!
Click HERE to read this Opportunity’s full (2024) job description
Applications for SWAT Team is COMING SOON FOR 2025!
Additional accessibility information coming soon!
TABLET SUPPORT TEAM (18+)
Are you savvy with finicky tablets and ready to jump in and support our Beverage Services and Customer Care teams with your skills? If so, join the Volunteer Tablet Support Team. With a cashless festival, we are looking for ground support to keep our teams functioning confidently!
Volunteers will help our Tablet Specialists set up, maintain, and take down point of sale and volunteer management tablets throughout the festival site, as well as troubleshoot basic connectivity issues.
Click HERE to read this Opportunity’s full job description
Applications for Tablet Support Team are OPEN! Apply HERE
For additional accessibility information click HERE
**Please note that the accessibility information sheets for each opportunity above are updated yearly and are therefore subject to change**
The Volunteer Team Behind Bluesfest
- Keanna Louis-Charles (she/her) musician, educator, community advocate (Volunteer Services Manager)
- Hannah Steeds (she/her) (Volunteer Services Assistant)
- Jamine Ackert (Volunteer Services Assistant)
- Jeff Heaton (Volunteer Services IT Assistant)