On-Call, Scene Shop Assistant

Santa Clara University; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Santa Clara University is seeking an On-Call Scene Shop Assistant to support scenic construction, painting, installation, and maintenance for departmental productions. The role works with faculty, staff, and students to model professional shop practices and help learners develop technical theatre skills.

The position emphasizes safety, inclusivity, and educational collaboration within the scene shop. Candidates should have strong carpentry skills, knowledge of shop safety, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Basic scenic construction methods in woodworking, prop creation, painting, metalworking, and/or rigging fundamentals.
• Safe operation of hand and power tools.
• Theatrical production processes and backstage operations.
• University safety standards and shop protocols.
• Materials used in scenery fabrication (lumber, hardware, foam, fabrics, paints).

Responsibilities

• Assist in the construction, assembly, and finishing of scenic and prop elements for departmental productions, working with students to demonstrate proper techniques and safe tool usage.
• Support load-ins and strikes with faculty, staff, and student crews to ensure safe execution of production needs.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe shop environment by monitoring tool condition and equipment upkeep.
• Provide guidance to students and supervise labs to ensure learning outcomes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Carpentry and fabrication

Clear communication with students

Time management

Safe shop practices

Troubleshooting in technical theatre

Experience in scenic construction

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical theatre or related field

Tools

Hand and power tool operation

Job description

Position Title:

On-Call, Scene Shop Assistant

Position Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hiring Range:

$25.05 - $30.05 per hour; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Pay Frequency:

Hourly

A. POSITION PURPOSE

The Scene Shop Assistant supports the daily operations of the academic theatre scene shop by assisting with the construction of scenery and props, painting, installation, and maintenance of scenic and prop elements for departmental productions. This position contributes to a safe, inclusive, and educational environment by working alongside faculty, staff, and students, modeling professional shop practices, and helping students develop technical theatre skills.

B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Scenic Construction, Prop, Painting, & Technical Support

• Assists in the construction, assembly, and finishing of scenic and prop elements for departmental productions, working with students to demonstrate proper techniques and safe tool usage.
• Supports load‑ins and strikes collaborating with faculty, staff, and student crews to ensure efficient and safe execution of production needs.

2. Shop Operations & Maintenance

• Helps maintain a clean, organized, and safe shop environment by monitoring tool condition, assisting with equipment upkeep, and ensuring materials are stored properly.
• Prepares materials, tools, and workspaces for classes, labs, and production work sessions to support instructional and production activities.

3. Student Support & Educational Collaboration

• Provides guidance to students working in the shop, reinforcing safety protocols, proper tool handling, and professional construction practices.
• Assists faculty and staff in supervising student work calls, labs, and practicum assignments to ensure learning outcomes are met.

4. Other duties as assigned.

C. PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

• Provides work direction to student workers, volunteer students, and production crews during shop hours, work calls, load‑ins, and strikes.
• Collaborates with faculty designers, Technical Director, and staff supervisors to support student learning and workflow

D. GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality.
• Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.
• Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.
• Prepares and submits reports as requested and required.

E. QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within an inclusive multicultural environment and to promote and contribute to a respectful workplace.

1. Knowledge

• Basic scenic construction methods in woodworking, prop creation, painting, metalworking, and/or rigging fundamentals
• Safe operation of hand and power tools
• Theatrical production processes and backstage operations
• University safety standards and shop protocols
• Materials commonly used in scenery fabrication (lumber, hardware, foam, fabrics, paints)

2. Skills

• Competent carpentry and fabrication skills
• Clear communication suited to student learners
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills
• Ability to model safe and professional shop practices
• Basic problem‑solving and troubleshooting in a technical environment

3. Abilities

• Work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff in a teaching‑focused environment
• Demonstrate patience and clarity when instructing or guiding inexperienced learners
• Maintain a safe, efficient, and inclusive shop environment
• Adapt to shifting production timelines and academic schedules
• Follow technical drawings and construction plans

4. Education

• Bachelor's degree in technical theatre or related field, preferred

5. Years of Experience

• 2 years of experience in scenic construction or technical theatre, required
• Experience working in an educational or mentorship‑based environment, preferred

F. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of materials up to 50 lbs.
• Regular use of hand and power tools, ladders, and shop equipment.
• Standing, bending, and moving for extended periods during work calls and builds.
• May be required to travel between campus buildings or off‑site performance venues

G. WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Scene shop environment with power tools, machinery, and moderate noise levels.
• Backstage and onstage environments during load‑ins, tech rehearsals, and strikes.
• Occasional outdoor work depending on project needs.
• Frequent interruptions and shifting priorities based on academic and production schedules.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

EEO Statement

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at [phone]. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at [e-mail] or by phone at [phone]. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact [e-mail].