Costume Shop Technician (Performing Arts Technician I)

California State University, Fullerton; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Dental and Vision

Life insurance & disability

CalPERS retirement

Tuition waiver

FlexCash

Employee Assistance Program

15 paid holidays

Job summary

California State University, Fullerton invites applications for the Costume Shop Technician role in the Theatre/Dance program. The technician collaborates with designers to create costumes from sketches, drafts patterns, and manages shop operations and rentals.

Ideal candidates have hands-on experience in costume construction, design software familiarity, and the ability to supervise students in productions. The department values inclusivity, safety, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• One year or more of experience in theater, repertory, or stock productions in costume construction.
• Ability to translate designer sketches into costumes and garments.
• Knowledge of materials, budgeting, and procurement for production.
• Familiarity with pattern drafting, construction methods, and shop equipment.
• Experience supervising students in productions and assisting staff.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with costume lab manager and designers to build costumes from sketches.
• Draft and drape patterns required for costume construction.
• Operate and maintain costume shop equipment, stock, and rentals.
• Communicate with shop manager about maintenance and storage of costumes.
• Assist in maintenance and cleaning of costumes; support other lab personnel.

Skills

Costume construction

Pattern drafting

Budgeting materials

Materials knowledge

Student supervision

Reading sketches

Education

Professional training or college coursework

Tools

Costume design software

Job description

Job Title

Costume Shop Technician

Classification

Performing Arts Technician I

Auto Req. ID

559317

Salary Range

Classification Range $3,721 - $5,420 per month

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $3,721 - $4,574 per month)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

The department of Theatre/Dance within the Division of Academic Affairs is situated in the heart of Southern California with proximity to the film and television industries of Los Angeles and the performing arts communities and theme park industry of Orange County. We are committed to providing students with real-world training through hands‑on curriculum and are dedicated to preparing students for all facets of the theatre industry and academia. In the areas of performance, design, and technical production, high impact practices encourage life‑long learning habits, collaborative skills, and team dynamics that prepare students for future success. We strive to create a student‑centered educational environment that builds upon the artistic skills of students while preparing them to adapt, innovate, and respond to the ever‑changing professional performing arts environment. We seek an exceptional individual to join our team as the Costume Shop Technician (Performing Arts Technician I). The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude and an active, energetic mind characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Costume Shop Technician is responsible for coordinating with the costume lab manager and costume designers to create costumes from designer sketches. Drafts and drapes patterns that are required for costume construction. Operates and maintains costume shop equipment, stock, supplies, and costume elements. Manages all costume rentals for the college. Communicates and coordinates with the shop manager and personnel concerning the maintenance of all costume storage areas. Assists other costume lab personnel with maintenance and cleaning of costumes. Other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

Competition of professional training or applicable college coursework and practical experience. A minimum of one year of experience working for a theater, repertory, or stock company engaged in the applicable production specialty such as costume construction, stage and set construction, lighting production, and/or sound and audio production. Working knowledge of design principles and the ability to translate design specifications, blueprints, or drawings into applicable costume, scenery, lighting, and sound production. Ability to identify and appropriate materials and supplies needed for projects and manage materials budgets for production specialty and specific projects. Foundational knowledge of applicable software packages for the production specialty. General knowledge of historical periods as they relate to the production specialty. Working knowledge of and ability to use the patterns, methods, materials, and equipment involved in the construction and reconstruction of costumes and related accessories. Ability to assist in the training and supervision of students involved in productions. General knowledge of methods and problems related to applicable production specialty area.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Preferred Qualifications

Completion of college courses in design and construction. Experience and extensive knowledge of costume crafts. Knowledge of costume and style periods.

Special Working Conditions

Notice of Non‑Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator

Benefits at a Glance

• An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability
• Retirement plan through CalPERS
• Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible
• FlexCash (in lieu of health and dental)
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 15 paid holidays

See Our CSUF Benefits Website For Additional Information.

Additional Information

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self‑disclose.

Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out‑of‑State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU‑related work outside the state of California.

The person holding this position is considered a general mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirement outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff and Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee by retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job‑related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.

California State University, Fullerton is not currently sponsoring any new H‑1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.

Effective October 1, 2025, the California State University (CSU) will implement a salary step structure for CSUEU‑represented employees in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (here l). In this *E-2* segment …

Hiring Preference

On‑Campus CSUEU Employees