OPS Rigging/Fly Rail Technician
University of Florida
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Job summary
The University of Florida is seeking a part-time OPS Rigging/Fly Rail Technician on the Main Campus in Gainesville, FL. The role supports UF Performing Arts by assisting with rigging, fly systems, and stage operations for live events and productions.
Responsibilities include operating counterweight rigging, loading arbors, coordinating with stage staff, and maintaining safety practices. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Familiarity with theatrical rigging principles and fly systems.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work at heights.
- Ability to follow instructions and work in a fast-paced live environment.
- Commitment to safety policies and procedures.
- Availability for evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
- UF students eligible to work on campus may apply through OPS.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical and stagehand support for live events and productions.
- Operate or assist in manual counterweight rigging systems.
- Load/unload counterweight arbors and balance line sets.
- Pull cable picks and spot lines for lighting and sound needs.
- Work from the grid to install rigging points for suspended gear.
- Follow safety policies and communicate with production staff.
- Maintain stage cleanliness and assist in setup and strikes.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Job No: 540543
Work Type: Part Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Facilities Operations/Skilled Trades, Recreation/Event Services
Department: 13500000 - PC-PHILLIPS CENTER
Classification Title: OPS Rigging/Fly Rail Technician
Classification Minimum Requirements: High School Diploma or GED
- Basic familiarity with theatrical rigging principles, safe rigging practices, and manual counterweight fly systems.
- Basic knowledge of theatrical production equipment, backstage operations, and live event procedures.
- Ability to safely lift, carry, and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
- Ability to climb ladders and work safely at heights for extended periods, including catwalks, tension grids, and personnel lifts.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and execute assigned tasks accurately in a fast-paced live event environment.
- Strong communication, collaboration, adaptability, and sound judgment in a live production environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and compliance with established safety policies and procedures.
- Availability to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours based on production schedules.
- This position is open to all UF students eligible to work on campus. Employment is through student Other Personnel Services (OPS). Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and may work up to 20 hours per week.
This position is open to candidates with a range of entertainment rigging and fly operation experience, from those with limited hands‑on exposure to experienced technicians. UFPA provides on‑the‑job training and mentorship to support the development of technical skills, expand knowledge of venue‑specific systems, and encourage continued growth in theatrical rigging practices.
Part‑time OPS Rigging/Fly Rail Technicians support UF Performing Arts production operations by assisting full‑time staff and visiting productions in the setup, operation, maintenance, and strike of theatrical events.
- Production Support: Provide technical and stagehand support for live events and theatrical productions, including rigging, stage operations, and other production disciplines as assigned.
- Manual Counterweight Rigging System: Assist with the operation of the venue's manual counterweight rigging system, including:
- Weight Rail: Load and unload counterweight arbors to properly balance line sets.
- Pin Rail: Pull cable picks and spot lines to support lighting, audio, scenery, and other production requirements.
- Fly Rail: Operate or assist in the safe operation of line sets during load‑ins, rehearsals, performances, and strikes.
- Up Rigging: Work from the grid to install and remove rigging points for chain motors, truss, and other suspended production equipment.
- Safety & Compliance: Follow all University, venue, and departmental safety policies, procedures, and industry best practices. Learn, apply, and adhere to venue‑specific rigging systems, operating procedures, and communication protocols to support safe and efficient event operations.
- Communication: Communicate clearly and effectively with the Stage Supervisor, UFPA production staff, touring productions, rental clients, and stage crews to support safe and efficient rigging and fly system operations.
- Collaboration: Work collaboratively with UFPA department heads, production staff, touring crews, rental clients, and technical leads to support successful event execution.
- Equipment Maintenance: Perform inventory, inspection, cleaning, preventative maintenance, and minor repairs of rigging systems and other production equipment; report damaged equipment and unsafe conditions to supervisory staff.
- Stage Organization: Maintain cleanliness, organization, and operational readiness of stage, backstage, rigging, and production work areas.
UF Performing Arts expects all employees to follow UFPA venue policies and procedures, work safely, perform duties as assigned based on operational needs, maintain a professional and respectful attitude, communicate consistently, and demonstrate effective time management, reliable attendance, and punctuality. Stagehands are expected to adhere to UFPA standards for dress code, attendance, and scheduling.
$17.00-$21.00 commensurate with experience
High School Diploma or GED
- Basic familiarity with theatrical rigging principles, safe rigging practices, and manual counterweight fly systems.
- Basic knowledge of theatrical production equipment, backstage operations, and live event procedures.
- Ability to safely lift, carry, and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
- Ability to climb ladders and work safely at heights for extended periods, including catwalks, tension grids, and personnel lifts.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and execute assigned tasks accurately in a fast‑paced live event environment.
- Strong communication, collaboration, adaptability, and sound judgment in a live production environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and compliance with established safety policies and procedures.
- Availability to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours based on production schedules.
- This position is open to all UF students eligible to work on campus. Employment is through student Other Personnel Services (OPS). Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and may work up to 20 hours per week.
Enter any preferred qualification here. These are additional traits or criteria that may make a candidate more competitive or ideal for the role, but these traits or criteria are not required for consideration.
- Experience with theatrical fly systems or counterweight rigging systems.
- Familiarity with basic theatrical rigging hardware and equipment.
- General understanding of safe rigging practices and live event safety procedures.
- Experience working on a stage crew during load‑ins, performances, and strikes.
- Experience in live entertainment, theatrical production, or event production environments.
- Experience working in a team‑based technical environment in performing arts or live events.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and communicate effectively by speaking and hearing. The employee must regularly lift, carry, and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Work is performed in a live performance venue environment and may include exposure to elevated work areas, overhead loads, loud noise, and low‑light conditions.
This is a part‑time, as‑needed, hourly position with a highly variable schedule based on production and event needs. Hours fluctuate based on operational/seasonal needs. Work assignments may include daytime, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and may involve all phases of production work including maintenance, planning, preparation, technical installation and removal, rehearsals, performances, load‑ins, and strikes.
Reliable transportation is required.
Anticipated interviews will be conducted in late August to early September 2026, with a tentative start date of September 21, 2026.
No
07 September 2026
The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800‑955‑8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.
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