Performing Arts Technician Jobs

Job Summary

Using ingenuity, technical abilities, and knowledge of production goals, themes, and design intent, the Performing Arts Technician II creates and constructs scenery and properties from design specifications. Work may also include: drafting construction documents; painting sets, scenic décor, and murals; operating and maintaining stage equipment; inspecting, repairing, and performing regular maintenance on riggings and equipment to ensure safety standards are maintained; working with students and faculty to understand production goals; and attending performances to assist students in technical aspects of production and backstage organization.

Incumbents at this level are more experienced in most technical aspects of Stagecraft and Shop Supervision. Incumbents work with minimal creative and technical direction on a wide range of projects including complex projects involving difficult designs and materials. Incumbents may also set up and conduct classroom demonstrations and may be involved in estimating costs and budget control for multiple projects.

Department Summary

Key Qualifications

• Ability to work and maintain a professional and welcoming demeanor in an environment of constant deadlines and interruptions from phone calls or office visitors.
• Ability to translate design specifications, blueprints (schematics) or drawings into safe, affordable scenic solutions. Ability to work on more complex projects/designs and to work with more difficult materials and equipment, including the ability to select and use the most appropriate materials to meet production needs.
• Thorough and specialized knowledge and experience in shop management, scenic production, and stagecraft, including knowledge of carpentry/woodcraft and welding practices and the ability to operate wood and metal working tools. Working knowledge of stage machinery and systems (e.g., fly system, air and Genie lifts, communication systems).
• Ability to independently manage production support projects and productions by breaking segments into working units that coincide with production needs. Demonstrated ability to achieve high standards while working collaboratively with faculty designers and other technicians.
• Thorough knowledge of safety requirements and standards related to production support specialty and stage operations and ability to train others in safety measures and ensure compliance with codes and regulations.

Education and Experience

• Two years of experience working for a theatre, 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. (12 units of applicable college course or 6 months of professional training may be substituted for 6 months of required experience.)

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $50,000 - $63,000 per year

Classification Range: $47,724 - $86,364 per year

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees.

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer.

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.