"Technical Production Lead (Performing Arts Technician III)"

Job Description

Technical Production Lead (Performing Arts Technician III), College of Arts & Letters - Theatre Arts

California State University, San Bernardino

Job no: 549391
Work type: Staff
Location: Southern California|San Bernardino - San Bernardino Campus
Categories: Bargaining Unit|Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Appointment Type|Probationary, Time Basis|Full Time, Job Search Category/Discipline|Theatre Arts, Workplace Type (Exclude Inst Fac)|On-site (work in-person at business location)

Under general supervision of the Department Chair and in coordination with other Theatre Arts staff, serve as the technical specialist for the department. The Performing Arts Technician ensures the smooth running of productions, the safety of the facility, faculty, students and staff, and the successful implementation of design/production elements within budget as a leader in demonstration, execution, and facilitation of the activities.

Job Summary:

Under general supervision of the Department Chair and in coordination with other Theatre Arts staff, serve as the technical specialist for the department. The Performing Arts Technician ensures the smooth running of productions, the safety of the facility, faculty, students and staff, and the successful implementation of design/production elements within budget as a leader in demonstration, execution, and facilitation of the activities.

Duties and responsibilities

• Provides training and coordination of students enrolled in theatre courses such as TA 3131A, TA 3132B and TA 2660 students. This training involves the use of stationary and portable power tools including, but not limited to, table saw, band saw, radial arm saw, lighting, and power sanders.
• Instruct students in the proper techniques of stage design and constructing of scenic elements and special effects to ensure their safe execution during public performances, as well as dismantling, disposal, and recycling of the scenic elements at the conclusion of the shows run.
• Provide direction to student-run productions.
• Assist in hiring and training of student assistants used as lead workers on Performing Arts Projects. Serve as Production Manager for the Ronald E. Barnes Theatre, The Drama Lab, and various campus venues used by touring productions.
• Responsible for scheduling, maintenance, operational efficiency, and installation of all elements involved in production. Responsible for locating and procuring the most cost-effective materials for the execution of the scenic designs.
• Attend production meetings and consult with designers and directors regarding the feasibility and construction of their scenography.
• Provides creative and technical consultation if needed on a variety of production issues and often provides lead work in the scene design/direction.
• Provides lead work direction and coordination to designers, students, and staff related to theatre production.
• Serve as co-safety lead for performing arts buildings.
• Work involves coordinating a wide variety of productions and projects including such functions as budget preparation, cost analyses, purchasing, and vendor management.
• Required to read, research, and analyze current publications regarding current technologies for technical theatre.
• Review and choose which of new technologies are cost effective and useable in our venues.
• Submit prioritized list of new equipment. Inspecting, repairing, and performing general maintenance on equipment and scenery to ensure safety standards are maintained.
• Procure, build, or design, and maintain all production-related storage facilities.
• Provide leadership in deciding which set pieces and properties should be kept and which recycled or replaced.
• Maintain records of where scenery and properties are stored.
• Coordinate use of scenery by on and off campus entities.
• Organize, schedule, and lead weekly department production meetings. Maintain data and budget for all production areas including scenic, lighting, props, and costumes.
• Participate in the Theatre Arts Department's mission community engagement and outreach. This includes annual touring productions to outside venues such as local high schools and the Palm Desert Campus. Work closely with the campus purchasing department to determine the types of vehicles and periods of use.
• Lead loading of scenery, driving to remote locations, unloading related production and scenic elements, and supervise installation. At the end of performance run, repeat the procedure and return vehicles.
• Perform other classification-duties as assigned but not limited to performing classroom support such as: demonstrations of welding, lathe operation, and other general construction techniques. Responsible for any special set ups of classroom spaces, such as tables, chairs, projection screens, and other related systems.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Equivalent to 24 semester units of related college coursework
• Two to three years of related professional or technical experience required
• Experience in working for a theater, repertory or stock company engaged in the applicable production specialty such as costume construction, stage and set construction, lighting production, and/or sound/audio production.

Required Qualifications:

In addition to Position Skill Level I and II knowledge and skill requirements, work assignments typically require:

• Ability to support classroom instruction by performing classroom demonstrations related to production specialty.
• Ability to work with faculty and provide training and supervision to students involved in productions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the methods and problems in multiple production specialties.
• Comprehensive knowledge of design theory and principles and how they are executed in various production specialties.
• Working knowledge of directing and stage management, including the ability to manage staging needs for productions requiring numerous costume and set changes and the ability to manage and coordinate the use of multiple facilities.
• Thorough and in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of construction, implementation, and operation of staging materials and effects in the various production specialties, including the ability to work with drawings and plots to assist in their execution.
• Comprehensive knowledge of safety measures and hazards related to theatre productions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with individuals at all levels within the organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two to three years of experience working for a theater, repertory or stock company engaged in the applicable production specialty such as costume construction, stage and set construction, lighting production, and/or sound/audio production. This background normally would be achieved through professional training or applicable college coursework and practical experience.
• A thorough knowledge of equipment and techniques required for creation of stage scenery, soft goods and related theatre crafts; thorough knowledge of research, analysis, and development methods used in stage design; ability to translate design specifications, blueprints or drawings into scenery construction; working knowledge of carpentry, welding; understanding of computer applications in technical theatre, such as: Vectorworks and Photoshop; general knowledge of the methods and problems of all aspects of theatrical production; general knowledge of the safety measures and hazards peculiar to theatre productions.
• The ability to communicate effectively with students and coworkers; ability to improvise stage effects; ability to operate and repair the equipment; ability to operate hand and power tools; ability to train and provide direct lab support to students and coworkers; ability to read, write, and perform arithmetic computations at a level appropriate to the duties of the position. Ability to move on and around areas of the stage, use of ladders, lifting and carrying.
• Must be available to work some nights and weekends.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Responsible for the proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste generated in the Scene Shop, including but not limited to batteries, paints, solvents, sawdust, broken glass, light bulbs, and wires.

Compensation and Benefits:

Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,386 - $6,321 per month

Classification Salary Range: $4,385 - $7,935 per month

The salary offered will take into account internal equity and experience among other factors.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.

Position Information:

Full-time Non-Exempt Probationary

Academic year schedule: Monday through Friday (8:00 am - 5:00 pm), some evenings/weekends.

Summer schedule: Monday through Thursday (7:00 am - 5:30 pm), some evenings/weekends.

The application deadline is: July 07, 2025

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

California State University, San Bernardino is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B Visas).

Conditions of Employment

Background Check, Drivers License Check, Physical Exam, Mandated Reporter, I-9, Statement of Commitment to Diversity