Assistant Technical Director, Texas Performing Arts

University of Texas; Utah; On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vision, dental, life, and disability

Paid vacation, sick time, holidays

Retirement plan with employer matching

Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b)

Deferred Compensation 457(b)

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Texas Performing Arts at UT Austin seeks an Assistant Technical Director to lead the Fabrication Studios' daily operations and serve as Technical Director on assigned productions.

You will train students and staff in scenic fabrication, manage materials, and coordinate load-ins/strikes, while supporting innovative programming and world-class facilities.

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 while facilitating problem solving, creativity 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 and supervise others.

Responsibilities

• Production: Serve as Technical Director on productions; prepare estimates; manage purchases and labor; draft construction drawings for fabrication projects.
• Management: Oversee Fabrication Studios Internal Materials Store; budget, inventory, and procurement; maintain equipment and tools.
• Teaching and Mentorship: Instruct and supervise students; plan residencies, guest lectures, and workshops; mentor hourly staff.
• Advance Texas Performing Arts goals in programming, education impact, and facilities.

Skills

Theatrical drafting

Production planning

Budgeting

Scenic carpentry

Welding

Rigging

Vectorworks

CAD drafting

CNC routers

Supervising others

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

ShopBot

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

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?

• 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

• 1. 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.
• 2. 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.
• 3. 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.
• 4. 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

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.

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

For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• 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.
• 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 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.

Comments and Inquiries

Email comments to [e-mail]. For equal opportunity inquiries, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone] or toll‑free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco‑free Campus.