We need you!

Octocon cannot run without volunteers, not just during the convention itself but all year round.

We are looking for a number of volunteers to fill roles at this year’s convention, both for in-person and online. Volunteers help keep Octocon running smoothly, and help to maintain a safe and family-friendly event for everyone.

At-con volunteering

Whether you’re interested in running the registration desk, assisting with panels, or ensuring our online spaces are safe and welcoming, we have a role for you! Gain invaluable experience, make new friends, and be part of the magic that makes Octocon a memorable experience.

This year, Octocon is an in-person and online event on Saturday 3rd October – Sunday 4th October, 2026. That means we will need volunteers both in person and in our virtual venue. We understand that some members will only be available for one venue type, while others may be interested in “hybrid” volunteering. We want to make sure we have volunteers who are helping where they are most comfortable. Volunteering should be fun!

In-person volunteers will help us on-site at the Clayton Hotel, Cork City. Volunteer duties can include keeping panels on schedule, registering members, Covid safety enforcement, setting up rooms for panels, etc.

Online volunteers will help with moderating Discord, Zoom, and our live stream viewer chat; answering questions in the help desk; getting viewer questions to the panel moderators; and reporting attendance numbers. These are slow-paced tasks and volunteers will have help from automated support bots.

We also need livestream producers. These are the folks who run our livestreamed panels. They need good internet and good computers, and should be able to commit to several meetings and training sessions before the convention, even if they already have live streaming experience.

If any of this sounds to you like a fun way to help Octocon, please complete our Google form!

Training will be provided prior to the convention for both in-person and online volunteers, and multiple training session times will be available. Once the programme schedule is released, we will also ask volunteers to let us know if they have any “can’t miss” programme items, so we can schedule volunteers around those items.

Year-round volunteering

Putting Octocon together is a year-long job, and we need people to help us right now with the crucial tasks of planning and organising and spreading the word about Octocon 2026.

If you think you could help with any of the jobs over the months leading up to the convention, please get in touch!

Streaming producers
We need online streaming producers for our Octocon Presents events, not just at Octocon (but we do need them for Octocon too)! There’ll be ongoing training and set-up sessions for those new to streaming.

You don’t need any prior experience, just a computer with decent specs, some aptitude for tech, and the ability to be flexible and responsive while on the job. If you do have experience with streaming though, especially OBS, that’s very welcome.

Social Media assistant
Are you a social media butterfly who can drop interesting and engaging posts? Octocon seeks someone who can help with our social media channels, facilitate announcements, and grow our following. We concentrate mostly on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky, with a sprinkle of Mastodon but open to new ways of reaching both our members and potential members.

Digital artist
Would you like to build up your portfolio with some scifi, fantasy and horror artwork? Octocon needs new art for our publications, website and social media. (Bonus points for being able to draw an octopus, especially if it’s cute.)

Publications team
Do you have a flair for design, layout or copywriting? Could you use your talents to produce our Octocon flyers, bookmarks, booklets, newsletter and website for 2026? Designers and writers welcome; job share possible.

Programme team
Do you have opinions about Octocon programme items? Would you like to try creating some yourself? Join our programme team! Time commitment varies; we have weekly meetings but 100% attendance isn’t expected.

A variety of jobs
Please do get in touch even if you’re not sure what you’d like to help with, as we have a variety of jobs small and large open to volunteers! Octocon is an entirely volunteer-run effort, and even a small offer of help can make a big difference!