"Production Assistant"

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

At Swarthmore, we combine a rigorous liberal arts education with a practical exploration of performance that emphasizes experimentation and collaboration. The Department values engagement with both scripted and devised work, and seeks to involve students in all aspects of production.

We continually seek new working relationships between the academy and the professional theater, inviting guest artists to be teachers, collaborators, and mentors for our students. Our department aims to nourish each student's individual talents and aspirations, and encourages students to build connections between theater, other disciplines, their lived experience, and the world at large.

The opportunity:

Reporting to the Technical Director/Production Manager, the Production Assistant supports the Theater Department in the areas of scenic construction, props procurement and construction, lighting, sound engineering. This position works a 35 hour per week schedule during the academic year, August 15 through May 14; benefits continue during the summer months.

Essential Responsibilities

• Production support as needed in any combination of the following areas: Scenic carpentry, Scene painting, Stage management, Properties, Lighting, Sound engineering
• Related to the primary duties above are the following responsibilities as needed in relation to the Theater Department’s production curriculum, Cooper Foundation events sponsored by the Department of Theater, and Swarthmore Project residencies: Follow department financial protocols regarding budgeting, reimbursements, and record-keeping in consultation with appropriate faculty, staff, and administrative assistants, Monitor and purchase supplies as necessary in support of production program, Run errands off campus with college vehicle, Work with scene shop tools and equipment as well as with lighting, sound and projection equipment in the Frear Ensemble Theater and Matchbox Studio, Work with essential software and related technologies, including Q-Lab, Vectorworks, etc., Act as lead during work calls

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Theater, Dance, or a related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and/or professional experience.
• Strong organization and communication skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, to work under deadlines, and to prioritize workload
• Ability to work independently as well as under direct supervision
• Experience working with and supporting a diverse community or artist, students, and technicians.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Reliable transportation.

Physical Demands

• Moderate to high level of noise in shop
• Prolonged periods of time standing
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Frequent bending, pushing, pulling, reaching, lifting, walking

Working Conditions

• Position includes both regularly scheduled shop hours and evening and weekend work as necessary for a total average of 35 hours per week for nine months per year.
• Weekly schedules will vary due to the department’s work flow for productions and may include nights and weekends.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including an optional cover letter, by September 30, 2025. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

The market range for this position is $24.00-$30.00 per hour, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

MVR Clearance Required by Position

Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities for this position, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.