Assistant Theatre Technician

Aberystwyth University; Aberystwyth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious academic institution in Wales is looking for an Assistant Technician to support technical needs during events at the Arts Centre. Candidates should bring a track record in technical expertise, effective communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within a team. The role involves managing technical aspects of performances and ensuring safety in production areas. Interested candidates should demonstrate relevant qualifications and a commitment to professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working policy

Generous leave entitlements

Commitment to Professional Development

Opportunity to learn Welsh

Staff discount for gym facilities

Qualifications

• Minimum two years' technical experience in a suitable arts environment.
• Up-to-date knowledge of theatre and venue technology.
• Good working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to resident companies at the Arts Centre.
• Assist in the maintenance of production areas and equipment.
• Ensure safety of work environments and manage technical duties.

Skills

Technical expertise in production

Excellent communication skills

Team collaboration

Ability to work under pressure

Problem-solving initiative

Education

ABTT Bronze Award

Technical Apprenticeship Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

The Role

An opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Technician at Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

Award-winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is a regionally important venue, comprising of a theatre, concert hall, performance studio, cinema and numerous exhibition and creative learning spaces. It offers over 300 performances annually across all art forms, alongside a programme of cinema, exhibitions, festivals and special events.

The Assistant Technician will work under the day-to-day supervision of the Senior Technician or Technician (as appropriate) to ensure that events at the Arts Centre are effectively and efficiently delivered.

You will have experience of working in an industry setting and will be establishing a track record in production and technical expertise. In the role, you will work as part of a team to ensure that all artistic and commercial events hosted in the Arts Centre receive consistent technical support of a high standard. Ideally, you will have worked in a multi-disciplinary arts venue or relevant technical environment. You will have experience with one or more of the following disciplines: lighting, sound, stage craft.

You will have excellent communication skills and a good track record of building strong relationships and working collaboratively with colleagues from other departments and external organisations.

To make an informal enquiry, please contract Pete Lochery at [e-mail].

Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date.

What you’ll do

Technical

• Under guidance, to provide specific support to companies who are resident at the Arts Centre, including meeting with creative teams and artists to establish their technical needs. This will involve occasionally making independent decisions but within broad parameters determined by the Technical Manager
• To respond to the technical requirements of any events using Arts Centre facilities and to take a pro‑active role in ensuring the success of any events to which the role‑holder has been allocated
• To continually develop technical specialisms (e.g. set building and stagecraft, AV, lighting, sound) to enable the work of the team and the technical provision of the Arts Centre as guided by the Technical Manager
• To physically deliver the technical requirements of any events as part of the technical team Technical Services for Visiting Events
• In conjunction with other members of the Technical Team, ensuring the technical requirements for events are appropriately met and being on hand to deliver on the agreed expectations and technical brief

General Maintenance

• To support the maintenance of all production areas and equipment including certain areas of the building and plant
• To ensure that all areas being used for technical construction or other related duties remain clean and safe as guided by protocols established by the Technical Manager

Health and Safety

• Under the management of the Head of Technical Services and within prescribed protocols established through the H&S management structure of the Arts Centre, to discharge responsibilities as appropriate for the safety of themselves and other people with whom they are working
• The technician will regularly be lifting and carrying heavy objects
• The role holder will also occasionally need to wear additional protective clothing depending on the work being undertaken. This could include PPE such as masks and possibly eye protection depending on materials used

Other

• The role‑holder will not have direct financial controls but will work to support members of the team who have such authorities
• The role‑holder will occasionally supervise the work of apprentices and casual technicians
• To act as a professional public face for the Arts Centre, liaising directly with customers and clients
• Contributing to the technical provision of the Institute more broadly as business needs demand and within a managed schedule
• To be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
• To be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role

The position is physically demanding therefore it is essential that the successful applicant has an appropriate level of health and fitness. Appointment to this position may be subject to a satisfactory fitness assessment.

Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required

Essential

1. ABTT Bronze Award and a Technical Apprenticeship Level 3 or a minimum two years’ technical experience in a suitable arts environment
2. A minimum of two years’ experience as a technician in a setting involving live performance and/or events
3. Experience of working with a broad range of clients and stakeholders, both internal and external
4. An up-to-date knowledge of theatre and other venue technology
5. Good working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety regulations, including but not limited to: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER); Working at Height; Electricity at Work; Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH); Provision and Use of Work Equipment; Personal Protective Equipment
6. Good interpersonal skills, enabling effective team working relationships
7. Strong communication skills, both oral and in writing
8. Ability to work unsupervised and to be proactive and take the initiative in problem solving
9. Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines and to negotiate a number of conflicting priorities
10. Experience of working with the general public
11. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level A1 or evidence to demonstrate an on‑going commitment to learn Welsh to this level*

Desirable

1. A degree in a relevant subject
2. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level B1 or evidence to demonstrate an on‑going commitment to learn Welsh to this level.

More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/

How to apply

To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.

Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Benefits

• Flexible working policy
• 36.5 – hour week for full‑time roles
• Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
• Commitment to Professional Development
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
• Staff recognition and reward schemes
• Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
• Staff relocation bursary
• Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
• Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.

Please keep reading

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.

We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Employment Visa

Under the UK Government’s points‑based system scheme, this role does not meet the criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University (AU) for a Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.