By: Stig Parfrey, User Research Operations Lead at U.S. Digital Response
In partnership with the City of Seattle Innovation and Performance team, U.S Digital Response (USDR) is launching the Seattle by Design user research cohort. This pilot project will connect a cohort of volunteer technologists with Seattle City departments to answer specific research questions and make recommendations using best practices in user research.
Ultimately, Seattle by Design will help the City of Seattle better understand its residents’ needs and improve the delivery of public services.
Those with user research or project management skills looking to volunteer their services, check out the details below.
What kind of project will you be working on?
Seattle By Design volunteers will work on five high-priority user research projects to tackle some of the city’s most pressing challenges, such as enhancing the loan application process for BIPOC businesses and establishing city best practices for language access. All five projects will help the city design services around residents’ needs, so that public services are delivered effectively and equitably.
Join a community of public servants and researchers working for the public good!
The program will launch in early April 2023 for a ten-week sprint, with each volunteer contributing approximately 10–20 hours per week. The cohort will end in mid-June.
Participants will gain invaluable hands-on experience solving critical problems, demonstrate how powerful using digital best practices can be for agency partners, and create tangible benefits for Seattle residents. Volunteers will also be fully integrated into the broader volunteer community within USDR.
We’re currently working on assigning interested volunteers to the Seattle by Design user research cohort. Fill out this volunteering interest form by April 3rd and select that you are interested in being considered for the Seattle cohort.
While volunteer spots are limited, USDR has many additional opportunities where technologists can meaningfully contribute to helping governments meet the needs of their communities. We encourage you to sign up to volunteer through our general interest form. We’ll be in touch about future opportunities.
Q&A
What skills are required or preferred for a Seattle by Design Volunteer?
If you’re interested in becoming a Seattle by Design volunteer, here are some skills that are either required or preferred:
- Availability: All volunteers will contribute approximately 10–20 hours of volunteer time weekly, with 10 hr/wk minimum. If you are unavailable for a few days within the stint, you can note your availability in the form for further discussion.
- Experience working on complex, collaborative projects: Successful volunteers are those with demonstrated expertise in their particular technological area and experience working on complex, collaborative projects. Volunteer teams have full support from the Seattle Innovation and Performance team and USDR. Still, they are primarily responsible for setting their own timelines, product decisions, and communication schedules.
- Product and project management: Experience with product and project management, particularly with helping to introduce user-centered design, inclusive design, and agile ways of working with new partners.
- User experience and user interface designers and researchers: User researchers will support all projects. Some projects require specific expertise in user experience and user interface design and research.
We encourage potential volunteers of all backgrounds to apply. Some of our most effective USDR volunteers are technologists with non-traditional backgrounds, and we value teams with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Seattle residents are a bonus!
How do I join as a volunteer?
To express your interest, fill out the USDR volunteer sign-up form. You can indicate specific interest in supporting the Seattle by Design research cohort projects within the form.
Submit your interest by April 3rd to be considered for the Seattle by Design cohort. Volunteer interest forms submitted after April 3rd will still be considered for additional volunteer opportunities within USDR.
Are there location requirements?
This is a remote volunteer opportunity. There may be an opportunity for volunteers within the Seattle area to meet with the Seattle team, but generally, work will be remote and no in-person contribution is required.
How are volunteers selected?
Prospective volunteers submit a form with interest in volunteering, which will be reviewed by USDR for relevant skills, experience level, availability, and commitment. For applicants who could be a good fit for the Seattle by Design cohort, USDR conducts screening calls where we discuss their specific qualifications, interest, and availability and provide a more profound overview of our organization and the projects. Once a pool of qualified volunteers is identified, we will inform the potential volunteers of their status and do a final vetting and review.
Is this a paid opportunity?
No, this is a volunteer opportunity.
Will I be employed by USDR or the City of Seattle?
No. This is a volunteer opportunity. Status as volunteer is not a step toward obtaining employment with USDR or the City of Seattle. All volunteers will follow USDR’s Volunteer Oath.
How do I learn more about USDR?
Visit our website at usdigitalresponse.org. If you are a government interested in receiving pro bono technical support, reach out here. If you are interested in volunteering with the government but the Seattle by Design cohort is not the right fit, sign up to join our hand-raiser community. You can also access frequently asked questions by both governments and volunteers.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
If you have any questions, you can email us at volunteering@usdigitalresponse.org.
U.S. Digital Response has a team of pro bono professionals ready to help governments and NGOs respond to the critical needs of their communities. Need help? Fill out this brief intake form to connect with USDR, and we’ll be in touch quickly.
