Department: SoC Wirtz Center for Perf Arts
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Job Summary:

Assistant technical supervisor oversees the construction and installation, integration, and operations of all required scenic elements. Assistant technical supervisor supervises and instructs temporary professional staff, graduate assistants, work-study students and student crews in the construction, building, handling, and the rigging of scenery. They are also responsible, in cooperation with other staff, for the maintenance of staging areas and equipment in all Wirtz performance spaces.

Please note: Working environment hazards include heights, dust, and fumes from scenic construction, lifting at least 50 pounds, operation and maintenance of electrical and motorized equipment, risk of construction accidents, use of power tools including rotating saw blades. Frequently responsible for crews working in several different areas of the building simultaneously.

Specific Responsibilities:

• PRODUCTION PREPRATION: Read scripts in order to have a knowledge of the needs of each production and to be able to provide input to the creative process with directors, designers, faculty and other staff members. Attend all necessary design presentations, drafting reviews, staff meetings, production meetings, and preparation sessions. Contribute to the budgeting of materials, and labor for productions.
• DESIGN and CONSTRUCTION PROCESS: Work with the Technical Supervisor, designers, and co-workers to establish priorities. Provide expertise for the construction and engineering of scenic elements for each production with consideration to budgetary and time constraints. Work with the Technical Supervisor to generate necessary drafting and information for the construction of designed scenery. Ensure that scenery is executed with a high level of craftsmanship and efficiency.
• SUPERVISION/MANAGERIAL: Organize and manage the work of Graduate Assistants, and work-study students in the production of scenery. Execute projects alongside scenic carpenters with the intention of meeting production deadlines. Instruct and supervise graduate and undergraduate students in techniques necessary for construction, handling, rigging, installation and operation of all scenic elements. Instruct and supervise graduate and undergraduate students in the safe usage of tools and equipment in the shop and theatre Provide input regarding workflow, need for temporary employees, and improvements in the production process, equipment, and facilities.
• FACILITIES/EQUIPMENT: Under the direction of the Technical Supervisor, maintains and improves the areas of the physical plant directly related to scenery, such as shops, storage and theatres. Coordinate with other staff members in the maintenance, safe operation, security and cleanliness of the areas mentioned above.
• TRAINING AND RECORD KEEPING: Contribute to the development, and maintenance of training programs and necessary inspection documentation.
• Duties listed below are executed on an as needed basis and are not consistent, therefore they are grouped together and given a rating of 5%
• Execute non-production-related Wirtz Center/University production projects as time allows in cooperation with other staff members.
• Attends training sessions in CPR bi-annually and First Aid as required.
• Provides insight for annual reviews and update of this job description.
• If necessary, attend work calls above regular daily schedule (technical and dress rehearsals, crew trainings) and in coordination with other staff members. Will attend the strikes of all productions and assist the returning of all equipment after a production closes.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in technical theatre, design, or its equivalent in a related discipline and a minimum of three years professional experience. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to generate and analyze drafting for the purpose of construction, installation.
• Knowledge of common metal, plastics, fabric, woodworking tools and techniques.
• Knowledge of painting techniques and applications.
• Exemplary work habits and the ability to teach them to others.
• Experience leading teams in the construction and installation of scenic elements.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive and collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to organize and establish priorities for the work of others. Ability to manage and lead other artists.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in technical theatre and 5 years professional experience.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Advanced knowledge of scenery construction and its related techniques, rigging, welding, safety standards.
• Software: Vectorworks, AutoCad.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $50,000-$57,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

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