Head Carpenter

Emerson College; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 49,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Dental plans

403(b) retirement

Life and disability coverage

Commuter offerings

Job summary

Emerson College's Boston campus seeks a Head Carpenter who will supervise construction, painting, rigging, and installation of scenery for Emerson Stage productions. The role includes leading student workers, managing materials, and maintaining tools, with safety at the core.

The position requires a BA/BFA in Theatre Production or equivalent experience, 2–4 years’ work in a similar setting, and a willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Qualifications

• BA/BFA in Theatre Production or equivalent experience.
• Experience in carpentry techniques, layout, cutting lists, and assembly.
• Experience with CNC routers and software.
• Experience in metalworking: rolling, forming, bending, welding.
• Experience in basic scenic painting techniques.
• Experience in CAD/AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Excel & Google Suite.
• Valid Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise construction, painting, rigging, and installation of scenery and properties.
• Lead and train student workers and class labs on production tasks.
• Monitor shop stock inventories and advise when stock is low.
• Maintain shop tools and equipment and ensure daily clean‑up.
• Attend weekly Production Meetings and rehearsals as required; be on-call during performances.

Skills

Carpentry

CNC routers

Metalworking

Scenic painting

CAD/AutoCAD

Vectorworks

Excel & Google Suite

Driver's License

Education

BA/BFA in Theatre Production

2–4 years’ experience

Experience at higher-ed institution

Tools

AutoCAD

Vectorworks

Excel

Google Workspace

Job description

Join our community and experience Emerson College!

The Head Carpenter works closely with the Technical Director and scenic students & staff to build and install student scenic designs.

Essential Job Duties

• Partner closely with Technical Director to ensure supervision of construction, painting, rigging, and installation of scenery and properties for Emerson Stage productions
• Supervise and instruct students engaged in co-curricular production work, various class labs, or working as student employees
• Monitor shop stock material inventories and advise T.D. when stocks are low. Maintain running accounts of materials used per project when appropriate
• Ensure the regular maintenance of shop tools and equipment
• Ensure the daily clean-up of the shop, including an inventory of tools
• Other duties as assigned
• Ensure the safe use of hand tools, power tools, machinery, and handling of scenic construction materials
• Manage Material Safety Data Sheets
• Attend weekly Production Meetings (Fridays 9a-1p), attend Technical Rehearsals (evenings/weekends) as required, be on-call/available during performances (evenings/weekends), attend monthly Design/Tech Area meetings with faculty and production area staff (costumes, props, paint, sound, scenic)

QUALIFICATIONS –

• Candidates should hold a BA/BFA in Theatre Production or equivalent experience, ideally 2-4 years’ experience, preferable at an institution of higher learning.
• Experience in carpentry techniques including layout and construction, including preparation of cutting lists, lofting, sawing, sub-assembly & assembly
• Experience in working with CNC routers and software
• Experience in metalworking techniques, including rolling, forming, bending, shearing, cutting, SMAW & GMAW welding
• Experience in basic scenic painting techniques, including flame-retardant treating, sizing, basing, cartooning, and pouncing
• Experience in CAD/AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Excel & Google Suite
• Valid Driver’s License Required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES –

• Strong organizational, interpersonal and education-focused approach

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods
• Ability to concentrate for long periods of time

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Typical office environment /shop environment

Salary for this ten (10) month position is $49,039 - $60,122, commensurate with experience.

IN-OFFICE EXPECTATIONS

This position requires an in-person presence on the Boston Campus during the work week.

Grade of Position: S-23-07E

Employment Category: Regular

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

10 month position paid over 10 months

This position will be exclusively represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 888 for purposes of wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members.

We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week.

• Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible.
• Additional benefits, such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings, are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.