OPS Skilled Lighting Technician

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Florida Performing Arts is seeking an OPS Skilled Lighting Technician on the main campus in Gainesville. This part‑time role supports production operations by assisting full‑time staff and visiting productions in load‑in, setup, operation, maintenance, and strike of shows.

Eligible UF students may work up to 20 hours weekly. On‑the‑job training and mentorship are provided to expand lighting system knowledge and practice.

Qualifications

• Experience with theatre and live show production equipment and procedures.
• Calm and professional demeanor with guests, staff and clients.
• Willingness for strenuous manual labor with standard equipment/materials.
• Ability to work evenings/nights, weekends and holidays on short notice.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to focus for long periods.
• Punctual and reliable with all shifts.
• UF student eligibility to work on campus (OPS)

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Technical Supervisors to align technical requirements for events.
• Assist with lighting setup, hanging equipment, cable runs, and truss work.
• Focus lights from Front of House catwalks, box booms, and onstage Genie lift.
• Serve as running crew for color changes, equipment moves, and spotlight use.
• Assist with inventory, maintenance, repair of lighting equipment, and stage cleanliness.
• Troubleshoot lighting equipment basics.
• Maintain safe work environment per safety policies.

Skills

Theatre knowledge

Calm demeanor

Evenings/nights/weekends

Teamwork under pressure

Attention to detail

Punctuality

Manual labor readiness

Tools

ETC Ion console

Genie lift operation

Truss assembly

Job description

OPS Skilled Lighting Technician

Job No: 540548

Work Type: Part Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Facilities Operations/Skilled Trades, Recreation/Event Services

Department: 13500000 - PC-PHILLIPS CENTER

Classification Title:

• General working knowledge of equipment and procedures used in theatre and live show production
• Must maintain a calm and professional demeanor in interactions with guests, coworkers, and client users of the facility
• Capacity and willingness for strenuous manual labor with industry standard equipment and materials
• Successful teamwork with fast work pace and under intense schedule pressure
• Ability to work evenings/nights, weekends and holidays as needed and on short notice
• Can complete tasks without supervision
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to focus on tasks for long periods of time
• Ability to be punctual for all work shifts

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 lighting 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 lighting systems and practices.

Part time OPS Skilled Lighting Technicians support UF Performing Arts production operations by assisting full‑time staff and visiting productions in the load in, set up, operation, maintenance, and strike of theatrical events.

Essential Functions:

• Work in close co‑operation & communication with Technical Supervisors on the coordination of technical requirements of various events
• Assist with the setup of lighting needs for productions. This can include hanging equipment, running cable, building truss and any other tasks as needed.
• Competently focus lights from Front of House catwalks and box booms as well as onstage Genie lift without fear of heights.
• Act as running crew for productions which may include color change, onstage equipment moves, or spotlight usage.
• Assist Lighting Supervisor with the inventory, maintenance, and repair of all lighting equipment, including assisting in the cleanliness and organization of the stage and backstage areas
• Assist with basic troubleshooting of lighting equipment
• Maintain a safe working environment at all times by following all established safety policies

UF Performing Arts expects all employees to follow UFPA venue policies and procedures, work safely, perform duties as needed based on workload, maintain a positive and respectful attitude, communicate consistently, and demonstrate effective time management, reliable attendance, and punctuality. Stagehands are expected to maintain the UFPA standard for dress code, attendance, and shift scheduling.

Expected Salary:

$17.00-$21.00/hr commensurate with experience

Required Qualifications:

• General working knowledge of equipment and procedures used in theatre and live show production
• Must maintain a calm and professional demeanor in interactions with guests, coworkers, and client users of the facility
• Capacity and willingness for strenuous manual labor with industry standard equipment and materials
• Successful teamwork with fast work pace and under intense schedule pressure
• Ability to work evenings/nights, weekends and holidays as needed and on short notice
• Can complete tasks without supervision
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to focus on tasks for long periods of time
• Ability to be punctual for all work shifts

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.

Preferred:

• Experience with touring production in facilities of similar type and size
• Ability to work at significant heights for extended periods of time
• Can be called upon to provide training and supervision of Part‑Time OPS Stagehand crew
• Can act as crew lead for work calls, including light hangs as needed
• Can act as Head Electrician for smaller rental events as needed
• Has extensive light plot and paperwork comprehension
• Has ETC console experience, specifically, ETC Ion
• 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.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: 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 listening. 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.

Position Schedule & Availability: 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.

Transportation Requirement: Reliable transportation is required.

Hiring Timeline: Anticipated interviews will be conducted in late August to early September 2026, with a tentative start date of September 21, 2026.

Health Assessment Required: No

Applications Close: 07 September 2026

Our Commitment: 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.