Technical Director

Position Summary

Saint John's Preparatory School invites applications for the part-time, non-benefit eligible, provisional position of Technical Director.

Saint John's Prep educates our students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service in a global society, celebrating our catholic Benedictine tradition.

Under the direction of the Theatre Director, the Technical Director has the day-to-day responsibilities for the supervision of technical operations of all theatre performances, theatre storage spaces, and adjacent production areas, including lighting, sound, set construction, coordinating maintenance, also developing and nurturing student involvement in afterschool tech programs. Will supervise/implement the technical requirements of all performance spaces.

This is a 2024 Spring Semester position opening with the potential of continued employment into the 2024- 2025 academic school year. Note: this is not a full time position and will only be contracted for work during the preparations for each production.

This position is a non-exempt, hourly position, not to exceed 180 hours per academic semester. The total stipend amount is $2,000 for the spring semester.

Responsibilities

In House Production

• Serve as an extension of the production staff who oversees the execution of set construction/installation and shop supervisor/builder as assigned.
• Provide or assign coverage for onsite supervision of shop hours, and tech load in and load out. Contact time expectations include afternoon/evening hours during the build of a show. Evening and weekend hours are expected during tech week and performances.
• Working with staff involved with set construction, lighting, costumes, props, and sound, and make the necessary changes based on feedback from the directors and the production staff.
• Determines and communicates crew schedule to students, Theatre Director, and Community Volunteers.
• Ability to attend production meetings to supervise and assist with the technical aspects of high school performances.
• Coordinating post-production strike and cleanup of all facilities, materials, and equipment within one week of the performance.

Building Operations

• Prepares, maintains, and operates the lighting and sound systems for all facility usage.
• Assists guest designers and renters with technical matters.
• Follows District Safe Theater Manual, OSHA and Fire Code. Supervises students, and volunteers ensuring safety procedures are followed.
• Maintains a system of storage for tools, flats, and other theatrical equipment and supplies for the theatre department to ensure associated areas are kept orderly and clean.
• Maintains a secure storage facility for technical equipment. Maintains a system of checkout for all equipment checked out or used by facility users.
• Maintains inventory and conducts scheduled inventories.
• Establish order processes for supplies.
• Maintain safe conditions for occupancy.
• Makes recommendations to the Theatre Director for equipment and supply needs.
• Monitors the condition of equipment; including lighting, sound, and rigging equipment; performs preventive maintenance on equipment to ensure optimum operating status.
• Assist with lighting, sound, communications equipment, and the use and maintenance of stage facilities when necessary.
• Oversee the resetting of lights and sound boards between performances and/or uses.

Student Management

• Assists in recruiting, training, and supervision of student tech crew or paid technical and design staff.
• Evaluates student progress.
• Work with students who have a range of social and developmental levels to develop individual skills as well as a group work ethic within the student technical production team.
• Supervises and assists with safe set and stage construction and management.
• Organize and assemble a student technical production team and build a schedule.

Facility Management

• Serves as primary Technician for all scheduled theatre performances and events.
• Identify user group needs and assess the level of technical support needed to ensure that each use of the facilities and equipment is well-planned, appropriately supported and the equipment is properly operated.
• Recruit and organize staff and/or student tech crew for theatre productions.
• Performs “exit inspections” after the closing of each performance to assure that the facility and adjacent areas are returned to proper order and to identify any damages or loss; works with the Theatre Director to assign responsibility for damaged or lost equipment.
• Assures that only authorized personnel use sound or light boards and other theatre systems.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.

• Ability to work during the hours of 3:30 pm-5:30 pm at least two/three times a week. Otherwise, working hours are fully autonomous.
• Equivalent professional experience in Technical Theatre or Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with an emphasis in Technical Theatre.
• Work experience in the following theatrical areas: lighting/sound, manual rigging, and carpentry.
• Previous experience managing technical theater staff including students and volunteers preferred.
• A working knowledge of techniques, methods, and procedures of theatre, dance, and music productions and presentations including stage, set, sound, and lighting design and implementation; stage management; computerized lighting systems; stage carpentry; and appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
• Must be able to communicate in theatrical language to theater professionals, students, and “laymen” who use the facility.
• Must be able and available to work nights and weekends, as needed.
• Must have strong reasoning skills – the ability to interpret and apply common sense understanding of written documents, instructions, diagrams, and concepts to carry out instructions and solve problems.
• Must have the ability to carefully listen, logically analyze, and resolve issues that arise in support of theatre events; demonstrate tact, initiative, resourcefulness, and sound judgment with an ability to solve problems, make decisions, or seek assistance as appropriate.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to concurrently manage multiple projects, set and reevaluate priorities, meet deadlines, and initiate follow-up action as necessary; attention to detail is essential.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience working with Vison, Vectorworks, or other Architectural design software.

To Apply

Applications are accepted online by clicking on "Apply" above. Candidates are asked to complete the application form and submit a cover letter and resume.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the OSB hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (320) 363-2874.

It is the policy of OSB to conduct a pre-employment background check. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check.

Order of Saint Benedict is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Temporary

Work Location: In person