Scenic Carpenter And Technician

Eton College; Clewer Village; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Employee assistance program

Cycle to work scheme

Facilities access for sport and gym

Retail discounts

Job summary

Eton College is seeking a skilled Scenic Carpenter and Technician to join the theatre team. You will work with directors, students and staff to realise designs across multiple productions, ensuring high standards of craft, safety and professional practice.

You will lead during busy periods, support technical running of shows, and attend training to stay current with industry developments. A collaborative, creative environment and a commitment to safeguarding are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong carpentry skills with woodwork experience.
• Experience in a theatre or educational setting is desirable.
• Sound knowledge of health and safety regulations and proper procedures.
• Good IT skills including email, Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Constructing sets and props for school productions.
• Rigging lights and other electrical equipment with various systems.
• Supervising and motivating student technicians and crews.
• Promoting health and safety and ensuring policy compliance.
• Maintaining workshop tidiness and equipment.
• Deputising for Head of Production when required.
• Attending training and industry events to stay updated.
• Supporting technical running of theatre across sound, lighting, and stage.

Skills

Carpentry

Theatre experience

Health & safety

IT skills

Team leadership

Job description

Role Introduction

The Scenic Carpenter and Technician works alongside the team of theatre professionals to provide at least 10 fully mounted productions within the academic year as part of a fully programmed season. The Scenic Carpenter and Technician will work with the team to enable the highest possible standards of production, training, and safety in all school theatres. They will construct sets to the highest standards and offer support with the technical running of the theatre.

All members of the department work on all productions. This role is key in effectively delivering the artistic and creative teams’ vision to the stage. It entails detailed collaboration with directors, colleagues and students, working on a wide range of plays and styles, in a variety of performance spaces. The ability to lead, develop and enthuse a team of students, to remain calm and focused under pressure, to meet deadlines and have flair and a creative approach to design is essential.

Main Duties

• Constructing sets and props;
• Rigging lights and other electrical equipment. Counterweight, hemp, manual and motor hoist rigging and operation;
• Supervising and motivating boy technicians and crews;
• To promote and participate in an alert and positive approach to Health and Safety and appropriate working methods at all times, and ensuring Eton College’s and Eton Theatre’s Health and Safety policy and all relevant Health and Safety legislation is applied;
• Maintaining tidiness, cleanliness, and good housekeeping throughout the theatre with particular responsibility for the workshop;
• Maintaining sets, props, and equipment;
• Deputising in the absence of the Head of Production when required;
• Attending training courses, trade shows, etc, as necessary to stay abreast of developments in the whole field of theatre production;
• Offering support to the technical running of theatre whether in sound, lighting or stage;
• Acting as Duty Technician for production evenings when required;
• Assisting or leading on the specification of new equipment across venues;
• Liaising with the buildings and maintenance department regarding the upkeep of the theatre and all related equipment;
• Supporting the Head of Theatre Studies in a non-teaching capacity in the delivery of the academic programme;
• Meeting the technical, production and crewing requirements for all the non-theatrical use of the building (e.g. assemblies, lectures, religious services and film showings);
• Where necessary engaging and supervising freelance specialists and technical crew;
• In relation to safeguarding:Where required, undertake regulated activity, such as unsupervised contact with students, ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed and providing safe and effective care at all times;Good understanding and effective implementation of Child Protection procedures;Commitment and promotion of equality, diversity & inclusion;Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students, including but not limited to, completing safeguarding training as required, and ensuring any safeguarding updates issued by the College are read and understood;Understand and comply with procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality.
• As a member of the Eton Drama team:Attend daily check ins and weekly meetings with the theatre team and harness a creative environment that is supportive and collegiate;Ensure a warm welcome to all collaborators and users of the theatre;Support the smooth running of all projects by sharing information with all colleagues, so that all staff involved have all the information they need to perform their duties effectively;Help student teams focus on specific tasks, help coordinate effort and motivation of all team members, clarifying requirements as and when required;
• Undertaking any other reasonable task as requested by the Director of Drama/Head of Production to ensure the effective running of the theatre.

Please see job description for full details on working pattern.

The Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following:

• A good knowledge of carpentry;
• Relevant experience in a theatre or educational environment is desirable;
• Experience in the lighting or sound departments of a theatre would be beneficial;
• Detailed knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures;
• Good IT skills including use of emails, Word and Microsoft Excel.

In addition to your experience, you may enjoy this role if you possess:

• Excellent verbal communication skills and presentation skills;
• Good written communication skills;
• Strong planning and organisational skills;
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines;
• Creativity and resourcefulness in problem solving;
• The ability to work alongside and motivate students;
• The ability to change ideas into a three –dimensional design;
• A commitment to continued professional development;
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a team;
• An imaginative, enthusiastic and adaptable approach with high levels of efficiency.

Benefits

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including an 11% employer contribution to your pension (with 4.9% employee contribution), Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses.