Available Roles and Responsibilities**
EDO Instructors & Volunteers
The Tributary EDO works with a diverse community of educators, experts, students, and volunteers to deliver high-quality STEM, workforce, F&B safety, maker, and outdoor programming across the Tributary Innovation Center. Our programs rely on passionate instructors and mentors who enjoy teaching, creating, and helping people learn new skills.
Below are the typically available roles and what each one does.
Staff-Lead Instructors
EDO, Curbside, MakerSpace, Outdoor
Responsibilities:
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Lead instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on sessions
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Teach foundational classes within their facility type
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Maintain equipment and enforce safety compliance
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Provide continuity across program areas
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Train volunteers and student assistants
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Serve as “on-call” educational support
Who qualifies?
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Program Managers and full-time facility staff
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Lab Technicians or Education Coordinators
Assistant Instructors
Ideal For: Students exploring teaching, engineering, robotics, food science, maker skills, digital media, or environmental science.
Responsibilities:
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Assist the Lead Instructor during labs and demos
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Help participants troubleshoot and practice skills
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Manage setup, materials, and cleanup
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Support safety monitoring (under staff direction)
Who qualifies?
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High-performing high-school, college, or graduate students
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Adult learners completing advanced tracks
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Individuals working toward becoming Lead Instructors
Industry Experts
Experts with specialized, high-value knowledge
Who qualifies?
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Robotics-IoT professionals
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CCIE-level networking engineers
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Biologists or environmental scientists
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Photographers, animators, content creators
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Food safety experts or CPG professionals
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Skilled makers, fabricators, or artisans
Compensation (if applicable):
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Honorarium or stipend for premium workshops
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Program revenue share (often 50–60%)
Community Volunteers
Critical support role
Responsibilities:
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Serve as mentors during open labs or drop-in nights
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Support instructors during youth programs
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Help maintain a safe learning environment
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Participate in “Makers & Mentors Night” or community STEM events
Benefits:
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Priority access to workshops
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Recognition events
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Community service hours (if applicable)
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Opportunity to become paid adjunct instructors
Guest Instructors
(One-off or limited series).
Who Qualifies to be a Guest Instructor?
Experienced makers, engineers, chefs, technicians, or educators
Industry subject matter experts
University faculty or adjuncts
Creative professionals
Skilled tradespeople
Local entrepreneurs with project-based sessions
Responsibilities
Teach a single workshop, talk, or demonstration
Collaborate with staff to ensure safety and workflow
Provide unique expertise, storytelling, or demonstrations
Compensation
Typically a fixed honorarium or program revenue split (Sometimes sponsored by a partner organization)
All EDO Instructors and Volunteers MUST:
01
Complete onboarding & orientation
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Review relevant safety procedures (kitchen, maker, outdoor, robotics, etc.)
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Sign liability and ethics agreements
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Pass background checks if working with minors
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Uphold a positive, inclusive learning environment
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Demonstrate the professionalism and reliability we want to model for our community
*Additional responsibilities vary by program track
Want to Join Our Teaching Community?
Contact the EDO team to discuss your interests and explore available teaching or volunteer opportunities. .
Have other questions or ideas?
We are here to help. Let’s engage in a conversation.