Assistant Technical Director, Texas Performing Arts

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin's Texas Performing Arts seeks an Assistant Technical Director to partner with the Technical Director and Lead Fabricator to manage construction studios and project operations. The role supports the training and development of students and staff in fabrication and technical direction.

You will supervise an internal materials store, manage consumables and budgets, and lead load-ins and strikes while mentoring hourly staff and teaching assistants.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Demonstrated competencies: Collaboration, Cost Estimation, Delegation, Effective Communication, Flexibility and Adaptability, Problem Solving.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Teach and mentor students, supervise Teaching Assistants, plan residencies, guest lectures, workshops, and tours.

Skills

Theatrical drafting

Production planning

Budgeting

Scenic carpentry

Welding

Rigging

CAD drafting

CNC routers

Collaboration

Cost estimation

Delegation

Effective communication

Flexibility

Problem solving

Education

Diploma (High School) or GED.

Tools

Vectorworks CAD

ETCP rigging certification

Job description

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
  • 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.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Act. If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.