SVPM Volunteer Positions

Volunteer Overview

An SVPM Scrum Team “sprint cycle” includes a Kick-off Meeting and the completion of one or more Backlog Refinement events, a Sprint Planning event, a Sprint Review event, a two-week Sprint, and a Sprint Retrospective event. On average, an end-to-end Sprint Cycle takes 6 weeks with a 1 week break between sprint cycles.

As a part-time program, each event duration will be an average of 90 minutes and is performed each week.

In order to ensure that each volunteer has an opportunity to obtain the skills and experience that comes with each role within the Scrum team, we require new volunteers to come on board as a Scrum Team Member (Developer). They can qualify for the Scrum Master role or Product Owner role after completing the appropriate sprint cycles listed below for each role.

Due to the high level of time commitment, these roles are most suitable for someone who has a flexible work schedule, or someone who is currently going through a job transition.

Scrum Team Member (Developer)
Average time commitment = 5 – 8 hours/week

• As a Scrum Team Member (Developer), you will join a cross-functional Scrum team and participate in all Scrum events.
• In order to ensure that each volunteer has an opportunity to obtain the skills and experience that comes with each role within the scrum team, we require new volunteers to come onboard as a Scrum Team Member (Developer).

Scrum Master
Average time commitment = 8 – 16 hours/week

• As a Scrum Master, you will perform as the servant leader for your Scrum team. Key responsibilities include scheduling and supporting the team by removing impediments.
• In order to ensure that each volunteer has an opportunity to obtain the skills and experience that comes with each role within the scrum team, a volunteer can qualify for the Scrum Master role after completing 2 sprint cycles as a Scrum Team member (Developer).
• After 1 sprint cycle, an SVPM Scrum Team Member can qualify for the Associate Scrum Master role.

Scrum Product Owner
Average time commitment = 10 – 20 hours/week

• As a Scrum Product Owner, you will perform as the owner of the product backlog. Key responsibilities include collaborating with ASVPM Sponsors, Program Stakeholders, and Scrum Team members, running backlog refinement ceremonies (refining epics, use cases, user stories, product descriptions, the definition of done, acceptance requirements, etc.), proposing backlog items to the Scrum Team during the Scrum Planning ceremonies, and co-hosting the Scrum Product Review ceremonies with your Scrum Master to accept the completed product and gather insights for new products, improved products, and new initiatives.
• In order to ensure that each volunteer has an opportunity to obtain the skills and experience that comes with each role within the Scrum team, a volunteer can qualify for the Scrum Product Owner role after completing at least 2 sprint cycles as a Scrum Master.