Assistant Technical Director, Texas Performing Arts

Job Posting Title:

Assistant Technical Director, Texas Performing Arts ----

Hiring Department:

Texas Performing Arts ----

Position Open To:

All Applicants ----

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40 ----

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA ----

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately ----

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue ----

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS ----

Job Details:

General Notes

Texas Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Austin (TPA) is the nation’s largest and most active university-based performing arts center by annual attendance, budget, and number of events. Both an anchor institution in Austin’s arts landscape and a nationally significant presenter, TPA operates venues on the University of Texas at Austin campus including Austin’s largest theater, Bass Concert Hall. Its presenting includes Broadway in Austin; an international season of dance, theater, and music; and the Texas Welcomes series of national touring artists. Education is at the core of TPA’s programs, which serve more than 30,000 K-12 students and the 55,000 students of UT Austin.

Why Join Texas Performing Arts?

UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package, including but not limited to:

Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)

Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options

Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 7.75% employer matching funds

Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)

Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards

Purpose

The Assistant Technical Director works with the Technical Director and Lead Fabricator to manage projects and the daily operations of our Construction Studios as an essential member of the Fabrication Studios team. They will serve as Technical Director for assigned projects as well as support the training and development of students and staff as carpenters and Technical Directors. The Assistant Technical Director also takes on essential operational functions for the Fabrication Studios, including supervising an internal materials store, managing consumables, and leading students and staff in fabrication projects as well as load-in and strikes.

Responsibilities

1. Production:

Serve as Technical Director on productions as assigned. Specify and purchase products and services necessary. Create estimates and track purchases and labor on assigned projects. Attend production meetings and technical rehearsals as needed.

Execute scenic and special effects elements on productions and projects as assigned.

Serve as Technical Designer and draft construction drawings for fabrication projects outside of the Academic Production season as assigned.

2. Management:

Manage Fabrication Studios Internal Materials Store including purchasing, sales, and inventory tracking.

Delegate and supervise fabrication, maintenance, installation and striking of production elements in venues, and planning tasks to students and employees in the Fabrication Studios.

Allocate and monitor Fabrication Studios hardware and consumables budget; proactively ensure consumables are replenished when necessary.

Maintain Fabrication Studios equipment including hand tools, bench tools, metalworking equipment, and digital fabrication tools.

Maintain and manage project management software for Fabrication Studios

Safely load and drive university vehicles.

3. Teaching and Mentorship:

Participate in hands-on technical and skill instruction in scenic construction and technical direction, including serving as instructor of record for relevant courses as assigned.

Supervise and evaluate Teaching Assistants as assigned.

Propose, plan, and participate in course residencies, guest lectures, workshops, and tours.

Orient and direct daily activities of hourly hires in the construction studio.

Investigate, assess, and participate in professional development opportunities and share or implement new learning within the Fabrication Studios.

4. Consistently advance Texas Performing Arts’ goals of expansive and innovative programming, educational impact, and world class facilities & experiences across all defined responsibilities and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Diploma (High School) or GED.

A strong background in theatrical drafting, production planning, budgeting, scenic carpentry, welding, rigging, and general theatrical practices.

Ability to collaborate in a fast-paced environment in which priorities can change rapidly while facilitating efficient problem solving, creative thinking, and collaboration.

Extensive experience with Vectorworks or other CAD drafting programs.

Experience with CNC routers.

Strong desire to work with students of many skill levels in learning scenic fabrication techniques and processes

Demonstrated experience supervising the work of others.

Valid Driver’s License

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work at heights

Have demonstrated competencies in:

Collaboration

Cost Estimation

Delegation

Effective Communication (written and spoken)

Flexibility and Adaptability

Problem Solving

Preferred Qualifications

M. F. A. in Technical Direction and two years of professional experience in technical direction in a recognized professional performing-arts company OR a B. F. A in Technical Theatre with five years of professional experience in technical direction in a recognized professional performing-arts company OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

Demonstrated experience working in an academic setting with students.

Teaching experience at the post secondary level.

Experience using digital fabrication tools including but not limited to: 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters.

Knowledge of task management applications such as Trello and Slack

Experience driving a variety of vehicles including a 16’ box truck.

ETCP rigging certification

Supervisory experience with professional stagehand crews

Experience with ShopBot

Salary Range

$65,000+ depending on qualification and experience

Working Conditions

This position is based in Austin, Texas and requires residence in the greater Austin area.

Work in and around shop environment with debris and loud noise. Personal Protective Equipment provided.

Work safely with ladders, catwalks, scaffolds, grids, and aerial work platforms.

Work in and around theatrical performance environment.

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Walking to multiple buildings on campus.

Use of manual dexterity.

Climbing stairs and ladders

Pushing, pulling, lifting, and moving up to 50 lbs.

Work Shift

Evening, weekend, and holiday work, including “on-call” times, are required in connection with performances and events. Working shifts may include extended daily hours in connection with performances and events. Work will exceed 40 hours per week at peak times. A compensatory time program is provided.

Required Materials

Cover letter detailing interest in and qualifications for this specific opportunity. Please include a link to online samples of work.

Resume/CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.References will not be contacted without prior approval of the candidate.

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in th