FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA)

The FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA) is responsible for ensuring FIRST Robotics Competition events run smoothly, safely, and in accordance with FIRST requirements, and ensuring a high-quality experience for all event participants and teams. The FTA collaborates with FIRST staff, event staff, and other event volunteers in many different areas at events. The FTA is the liaison between FIRST and the event for all things related to the field, robots and game, acts as a team advocate for all teams competing at the event, and is a major point of escalation and conflict resolution for the event.

The FTA role is a highly visible role with significant responsibility – the success of an event relies on the leadership, knowledge, and diligence of the FTA.

Responsibilities

Ensuring FIRST Robotics Competition events provide exceptional team experience and meet or exceed minimum standards for safety, by implementing guidance and guidelines provided by FIRST and event staff at FIRST Robotics Competition events
Coordinating the efforts of numerous event staff and volunteers, and providing expert opinions, input, and troubleshooting when necessary
Effectively communicating with FIRST and/or local partners before, during, and after events to identify issues requiring further resolution, to report on successes and failures at events, and to ensure team experience issues are resolved as needed
Mediating and de-escalating conflicts that may arise between event participants, volunteers, and/or staff members
In collaboration with Event Management, AV Staff, and Venue Staff, ensuring venue and AV setup is safe and in an ideal event-ready state for the event to take place, and providing expert opinions and troubleshooting for venue-related issues that may arise
In collaboration with the Field Supervisor and FIRST Technical Advisor Assistant(s) (FTAAs), ensuring successful field build (including practice field), maintenance, troubleshooting, teardown, and loadout, including mechanical, electrical, and FMS-related components
In collaboration with the Lead Robot Inspector (LRI), FTAA(s), and Control System Advisors (CSAs), ensuring teams are able to participate to their highest level possible, and are able to effectively and quickly troubleshoot, resolve, and communicate technical challenges faced
In collaboration with the Head Referee and Scorekeeper(s), ensuring the event is carried out effectively, fairly, and promptly
In collaboration with the Lead Queuer and Field Supervisor, ensuring the queuing and field reset process proceeds smoothly and efficiently
Participation in all FTA training and support programs provided by FIRST
Providing written and oral feedback to FIRST on event outcomes and issues faced
Only individuals who have been issued the FIRST role specific apparel may wear it for both official and non-official FIRST events and only for events in which they are filling the FTA role
Volunteers should only congregate around the scoring table or playing field as is necessary to fulfill the duties of their volunteer position
No one in official event apparel (volunteer shirt or FIRST/Partner staff clothing) around the playing field should be openly cheering for one team
Experience and Skills Needed

Required:

Must be post-high school or equivalent.
Minimum age: 18 (preferred age: 21+)
Exceptions may be granted by FIRST
Demonstrated exceptional communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills
Excellent time management and coordination skills, and ability to multitask and work under pressure
Strong desire to spend long hours providing the best possible experience for all event participants and teams, and desire to be the first volunteer in and last volunteer out at events
Demonstrated previous experience with at least one of the following, and willingness to familiarize with and learn about all of the following:
FIRST Robotics Competition robot control system
FIRST Field Management System (FMS)
FIRST Robotics Competition game field mechanical or electrical components
FIRST event and volunteer management
FIRST Robotics Competition Game and Event, and Safety rules
Ability to be active and moving throughout event venues for long periods of time
Nice-To-Haves:

Previous experience in other FIRST event roles, especially in multiple different technical (FTAA, CSA, etc) and/or non-technical (Field Reset, VC, Judge, etc) roles
Previous experience as a student or mentor of a FIRST Robotics Competition team