Technical Assistant III

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Work type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Amherst
Department: Fine Arts Center
Pay Grade: 15
Categories: Theater/Performing Arts

About UMass Amherst 

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region. 

 

About the UMass Fine Arts Center 

Since its founding in 1975, the UMass Fine Arts Center has been a central force in the cultural, social, and academic life of the University, the Five College campuses, and the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. The Fine Arts Center’s combination of educational, visual, and performing arts programs not only makes us unique, but it also secures a vital and necessary position to meet the diverse needs of scholars, faculty, students, alumni, and the broader community. 

 

Job Summary 

The Technical Assistant III oversees all operations in the lighting department, supervises lighting and related electrical aspects of productions with Fine Arts Center including outdoor, hybrid, virtual, rental and on/off campus events, assists in general production duties and supervises student and professional crew members in these activities. 

 

Essential Functions 

  • Coordinates lighting and production planning with visiting professional and student production companies, designs, adapts or implements lighting plans for all stage productions and supervises the hanging and focus of stage lights and operation of lighting control consoles. 
  • Repairs and provides preventative maintenance for stage lighting and related electrical equipment, responds to lighting and electrical problems occurring during productions and makes recommendations on major repair of lighting and on new equipment acquisitions. 
  • Creates and maintains all lighting records including but not limited to detailing current lighting positions, circuit, focus, purpose and rentals. Manages and maintains all lighting inventories. Tracks electrical expenses for events from pre-production through post-production. 
  • Trains and supervises student work crews in the performance of lighting and general stage production duties. Works collaboratively with touring technical production personnel and also supervises professional and union crew members. 
  • Assists in general stage management duties, supervision of load-in, set-up, dismantling, and load-out of touring productions and securing of the performance area before and after production.  Works with Production Manager to advance all events. Assists AV Head with technical projection and camera needs. 

 

Other Functions 

  • Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives. 
  • Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration. 

 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

  • Two (2) years’ theatrical lighting experience. 
  • Knowledge of Eos Family Programming (ETC Ion), intelligent lighting systems, and wiring is required. 
  • Software knowledge including Windows, Mac, Vectorworks, Lightwright, Microsoft Office. 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, organizational and time management skills, as well as a focused work ethic and professional demeanor. 

 

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

  • Bachelor's Degree in theater or technical theater. Over four (4) years’ experience as a Master Electrician for theatrical venues. 
  • Experience with moving lights. 
  • Experience working with student crews and student development. 

 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions 

  • Ability to work at substantial heights. 
  • Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. over a distance. 
  • Work requires significant manual skills, physical effort, and an exposure to risks from heights, electricity, and stage rigging. 

 

Work Schedule 

  • Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-5:00PM. 
  • Occasionally works an irregular schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays. Possible 18-hour shifts. 
  • Expected to work evening performances related to FAC events. 

 

Salary Information 

USA/MTA Grade 15

  

Special Instructions to Applicants 

Please submit your application online and include a resume, cover letter along with name and contact information of three (3) professional references to ensure consideration. 

 

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

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The University of Massachusetts is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, Title IX employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age over 40, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, or other protected class.