If you are using a released version of Kubernetes, you should refer to the docs that go with that version.
The latest release of this document can be found [here](http://releases.k8s.io/release-1.2/docs/devel/on-call-rotations.md).Documentation for other releases can be found at releases.k8s.io.
Kubernetes has generated a lot of public traffic: email, pull-requests, bugs, etc. So much traffic that it's becoming impossible to keep up with it all! This is a fantastic problem to have. In order to be sure that SOMEONE, but not EVERYONE on the team is paying attention to public traffic, we have instituted two "first responder" rotations, listed below. Please read this page before proceeding to the pages linked below, which are specific to each rotation.
Please also read our notes on OSS collaboration, particularly the bits about hours. Specifically, each rotation is expected to be active primarily during work hours, less so off hours.
During regular workday work hours of your shift, your primary responsibility is to monitor the traffic sources specific to your rotation. You can check traffic in the evenings if you feel so inclined, but it is not expected to be as highly focused as work hours. For weekends, you should check traffic very occasionally (e.g. once or twice a day). Again, it is not expected to be as highly focused as workdays. It is assumed that over time, everyone will get weekday and weekend shifts, so the workload will balance out.
If you can not serve your shift, and you know this ahead of time, it is your responsibility to find someone to cover and to change the rotation. If you have an emergency, your responsibilities fall on the primary of the other rotation, who acts as your secondary. If you need help to cover all of the tasks, partners with oncall rotations (e.g., Redhat).
If you are not on duty you DO NOT need to do these things. You are free to focus on "real work".
Note that Kubernetes will occasionally enter code slush/freeze, prior to milestones. When it does, there might be changes in the instructions (assigning milestones, for instance).