We're looking for volunteers
Volunteers are a vital and valued part of the John Smith Rock Festival team!
Join us in creating Finland’s most rockin’ festival together!
VOLUNTEER BENEFITS
We offer our volunteers one hot meal per working day, a unique t-shirt, valuable work experience, and an amazing team to work with. If you wish, you can request a certificate for your volunteer work. As a volunteer, you will also receive a wristband for the festival area, allowing you to enjoy the festival atmosphere alongside your duties.
If needed, volunteers will be provided with a bus ticket for festival buses on their working days from Jyväskylä/Äänekoski.
VOLUNTEERS ARRIVING FROM FURTHER AWAY
We aim to offer volunteers traveling from further away the opportunity to stay in Laukaa. The accommodation is located at Multamäki camp center, approximately 4 km from the festival area. Multamäki is available from Wednesday to Sunday.
At Multamäki, accommodation is shared in mixed groups across various facilities. Options include rooms in main building Katvela and the Ohjaaja cabin, which have bunk beds and standard beds, there are also small cabins equipped with bunk beds. Accommodation capacity is limited and spots are allocated by the festival. Volunteers and other festival staff will be staying at Multamäki.
The main building, Katvela, includes shared facilities such as toilets, a kitchen, and a sauna with showers. Guests also have access to a large lakeside sauna, a beach, and a barbecue area.
Bring your own bed linens, towel, and food supplies. The festival will provide light breakfast/evening snacks for volunteers at Multamäki, but everyone is primarily responsible for their own food.
For those without a car, we will arrange transportation at specific times between the accommodation and the festival area.
TASKS
JSRF volunteers have a variety of tasks available. Below, you will find descriptions of the different roles. In addition to the listed tasks, volunteers may be asked to assist with other “ad-hoc” duties as needed.
Read through the task descriptions below and select three that interest you the most in your application. You may also choose the option “I am interested in all tasks.” We aim to consider volunteers’ preferences when assigning tasks.
Detailed instructions, job descriptions, and work schedules will be discussed personally with all accepted volunteers.
All roles require a rock attitude, customer service skills, and weather-appropriate clothing. Knowledge of languages other than Finnish is a plus, and some tasks specifically require English proficiency. Most roles involve standing for long periods.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Most communication during the event will take place via WhatsApp. Please let us know in the additional information section of your application if you do not use the app. Not having WhatsApp is not an obstacle — this is simply so we know to arrange communication in other ways if needed.
- Each role/department has a designated manager. The manager handles communication before and during the event. They are the person who will provide your orientation and whom you can turn to with any questions or concerns.
- Volunteers are covered by accident insurance during their scheduled shifts.
- People from many different backgrounds and walks of life work at the event, each contributing in their own way. Every volunteer is equally valuable to us and appreciated for the contribution they make.
REQUIREMENTS
We require volunteers to be at least 18 years old and to have proficiency in Finnish and/or English.
Volunteers are expected to commit to two shifts. The length of the shifts varies depending on operational needs.
APPLICATION PERIOD & CONTACT
The volunteer search is now open!
Applications are accepted until the event or as long as there are available spots.
Applicants will be contacted via email once their application has been processed. Please respond to the email by the requested deadline.
Note! Our messages may easily end up in the spam folder, so please keep an eye on your inbox.
FESTIVAL BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE
The bus team ensures smooth transportation for festival attendees! Tasks include checking bus tickets, guiding customers to the right vehicles, and managing queues.
Good communication skills are required, and basic phone use is necessary, for example, when helping customers purchase online tickets. The team works closely with bus drivers and keeps up a good spirit in all situations.
Work is scheduled according to the festival bus timetable—during the day in Jyväskylä and at night at the festival area.
INFO STAND
The info stand is at the heart of the festival, handling a variety of customer inquiries. Tasks include minor product sales and managing lost and found items.
Staff also move around the festival area to assist attendees. The role requires people skills, flexibility, and problem-solving ability. Volunteers work in pairs during festival opening hours.
CAMPING
At the camping and parking area, tasks include wristband exchange, customer guidance, and directing attendees and staff to the correct parking spots.
All roles require customer service skills, problem-solving ability, and a positive attitude. Work is done in teams from morning until late at night, with a focus on Thursday.
CLOAKROOM
Cloakroom work is fast-paced customer service that involves a lot of movement, carrying customers’ belongings manually, and operating a cash register.
During breaks, you can put your feet up and enjoy the festival vibe. Be sure to pack weather-appropriate clothing, as this job is performed outdoors in a tent.
The cloakroom team works smoothly throughout the festival until early morning hours.
SAUNA TENT
The sizzling sauna tent at the festival area requires the ability to heat a wood-burning sauna and ensure a safe sauna experience for customers in collaboration with security staff.
The role requires attention to detail, comfort with a relaxed, clothing-optional atmosphere, and the stamina to maintain a warm and welcoming environment throughout the festival. The sauna tent is open from the festival gates’ opening until approximately 9:00 PM.
ENTRANCE TEAM
The entrance team welcomes festivalgoers with a rock attitude! Tasks include checking tickets, exchanging wristbands, and assisting customers with various inquiries.
This role requires precision and speed while maintaining the festival atmosphere, even in hectic situations. The entrance team works according to festival opening hours.
MERCH STAND
Located at the heart of the festival area, the merch stand is a team effort where fans purchase band merchandise.
Tasks include displaying products, stocking merchandise, handling inventory, and processing payments. A friendly approach ensures happy customers.
Although the job is busy, it also offers a chance to enjoy the festival atmosphere. The merch stand operates during festival opening hours.
BACKSTAGE ASSISTANT
The backstage team ensures that artists have a pleasant stay at the festival! Tasks include managing catering, maintaining the visual setup, and cleaning.
The role requires initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure.
Backstage assistants must be available full-time from Thursday to Saturday, from morning until night, without the opportunity to watch/hear performances. The work is mostly indoors and involves a lot of movement, so comfortable shoes are essential. Finnish and English are required, and additional language skills are a plus.
STAFF CHECK-IN
At staff check-in, volunteers distribute access passes and other necessary materials to staff and artists. The role also involves ensuring that staff move around the area with the correct permits and follow designated routes.
This task requires familiarity with the festival area, the ability to process multiple details, and confidence to question unclear access rights.
Work runs from Wednesday to Saturday, from morning until night.
STAFF DRIVER
The staff driver transports volunteers without cars between the accommodation in Multamäki and the festival area.
This role requires careful driving skills, and of course, a valid driver’s license. Driving shifts take place between Thursday and Sunday, from morning to early morning.
A suitable vehicle for this task will be provided by the festival organizers.
KOH TALO HOST
Koh Talo, located within the event area, is a meeting point where festival guests can offer company or look for company among other attendees. The meeting space is a safe haven where everyone is welcome to be exactly themselves.
Koh Talo is looking for a person to maintain its small activities and, when needed, gently guide and support visitors.
This role requires a relaxed and positive attitude, a good sense of humor, and the confidence to approach and interact with people. A solid understanding of safer space principles is essential.
Fluency in Finnish and at least basic conversational English are required. Koh Talo is open in accordance with the festival’s opening hours.
Volunteer application
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