Monster Corps Volunteering

Application Prerequisite

Please come for a tour* before applying to the Monster Corps Volunteer Program or making any appointments to discuss the program. Please, also note the date of the Cohort Kick-off meeting. If you can’t make that meeting, please wait to apply in the next month. Thank you.

Monster Corp Openings

As of January 29, 2024

Woodworking Instructor. Must love newbies. We are seeking instructors to teach basics and project-based workshops. Development support provided. 2-4 hours a month spent preparing and making prototypes and 4 hours spent teaching adults in small groups. Previous experience teaching and woodworking would be best.

Shop Tool Maintenance. Good tool care is the way to keep amazing resources available to the community. Recent woodworking experience is required. The first focus of this role is to participate in or even lead the monthly Air Quality maintenance cleaning. This 4-hour cleaning happens on the 3rd Thursday of the money in the evening/afternoon. The second focus of this role is basic tool maintenance, for which we provide training. It would be best to be available to regularly participate in your training or immersive experience (classes we pay for)  monthly. We are looking for 3 people for this role.

Textiles Teaching Assistants. We are seeking folks to assist instructors during project-based workshops. These workshops include sewing, textiles, and leatherworking. Some experience with these practices is required, but expert-level skills are optional. Must be comfortable teaching others basic skills in these areas. Most workshops happen on Weekends and evenings during the week. Workshops are between 2 and 4 hours long and have a 3-Min. Set up time prior. Some additional kit-making opportunities are available to support classes. This TA makes it possible for disabled teachers to provide instruction as a mobility accommodation, so the ability to stand for a bit and lift 30 lbs is best. Please review the Ace calendar before applying. It is important that your availability is compatible with when we scheduled classes.

Woodworking Teaching Assistants. We are seeking folks to assist instructors during project-based workshops. These workshops include projects like cutting boards, spice racks, knife blocks, etc. Comfortability with tools such as routers, drill presses, and saws needed. Requires two 3 to 4-hour commitments a month spent teaching adults in small groups. TAs are expected to complete training, including diversity equity and inclusion skills, as opportunities occur. Previous woodworking and teaching experience would be best. Availability after work (6:30-10 pm) during the week or on weekends.  Please review the Ace calendar before applying. It is important that your availability is compatible with when we scheduled classes.

Media Distributor. Pick up flyers and then post them at various locations in Berkeley, North Oakland, and West Oakland. This requires approx. 4 hours 2x per month

Wiki content generator. Spend 8 hours a month updating and creating wiki content about the tools in the space. This requires both on-site research and photo capture plus the ability to google basic tool information. Collaboration with tool stewards and subject matter experts is also part of the content generated. Each month a report out in the monthly newsletter of new or updated wiki entries is required. WordPress training available.

DEI Workshop Facilitator. Do you have a passion for inclusion and equity? Enjoy facilitating a great discussion. We are looking for folks to help give workshops that center around supported community conversations and diversity, equity, and inclusion topics. This includes the New Member Workshop and more.

Art Teaching Assistant. We are seeking folks to assist art instructors and hosts. No experience is needed. Availability on the 4th Friday of the month from 6:30 to 9:30 is a must. The additional 5 hours per month is flexible and includes both TA’ing with students and preparation, including prototyping. Subject matter and diversity training are possible. This TA makes it possible for disabled teachers to provide instruction as a mobility accommodation, so the abilty to stand for a bit and lift 30 lbs is best.

*Please note the tour you took should be no more than 3 months prior to applying to the program. Ace is always iterating and improving and a tour two years ago won’t give you the relevant info you need to join the program.

Next Monster Corps Cohort Onboarding

The next Monster Corps Cohort kicks off is scheduled for March 2nd from 2:30 to 4:30 depending on application acceptance. 

How to join Monster Corps

Every month we onboard one cohort of applicants into the Monster Corps program.*

  1. Come for a Tour of the space
  2. Choose the current opening that works for you and your skillset
  3. Check the schedule for when the monthly Cohort starts (see above)
  4. Fill out the application below. Only apply for posted roles, one role per application.
  5. Once accepted, you will receive an invitation to join a monthly cohort kick-off

Monster Corps FAQ

Who can be in Monster Corps

Anybody can be in Monster Corps… Well, anybody who normally qualifies for membership. Formal Monster Corps members are folks who completed the application process.

If you are an Ace member outside the Corps who would like to benefit from the program, please message on the #monster-corps channel on Slack.

Ace Makerspace is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to intentionally create a diverse community.

*We can currently only offer one onboarding per month and cannot offer individual program onboarding. We hope when we can afford more support staff that, we can offer weeknight or 1:1 options.

What Monster Corps does for Ace and the Oakland community

Ace Makerspace is all about making access possible yet we are also volunteer-run which means we always need resources. Often time and effort are as valuable, if not more valuable, than cold hard cash. Monster Corps is the program we use to organize the group of awesome folks who give us 8 hours of their time on operational tasks a month. In order for folks to be successful volunteers, they are provided with membership, training, and other immersive experiences.

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