Performing Arts Technician Pool (Hourly)

The California State University; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 29,577 - 35,349; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental benefits

Tuition fee waiver

Paid holidays

Job summary

A prominent university in California is seeking a Backstage Technical Operator for their Theatre events. You will supervise technical operations, assist in mounting productions, and support student assistants in a dynamic environment. A background in theatre and ability to handle stage equipment safely is essential. This position offers competitive hourly pay and a range of benefits.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in a theater or production role.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to take instruction and work as a team.

Responsibilities

• Supervise backstage technical work for University Theatre events.
• Assist with mounting technical aspects of productions.
• Provide support for shop and stage operations.

Skills

Experience with stage lighting

Knowledge of sound production

Ability to lift 50 pounds

Safe use of hazardous materials

Education

BA in Theatre Arts or related field

Tools

Stage rigging equipment

Sound systems

Stage lighting tools

Job description

Salary and Benefits

PLEASE NOTE: The starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $21.47 per hour to $25.66 per hour (Step 1 – Step 10).

Benefits

Cal State East Bay offers a broad range of benefits that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement (CalPERS), 401k, 457, 403(b), dependent and health care reimbursement accounts, life insurance, vacation and sick, 14 paid holidays, one personal holiday and tuition fee waiver. For more information on the benefits program, please visit our benefits website. The CSU Total Compensation Calculator demonstrates the significance of our benefits package.

Campus Overview

Cal State East Bay's beautiful main campus is located in the Hayward hills with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Situated above the city of Hayward, the campus offers an ideal setting for teaching and learning and yet easy access to the many cities along the bay. The University has a satellite campus in Concord, a professional development center in Oakland and a significant presence online. Founded in 1957, Cal State East Bay is one of 23 universities of the California State University system (CSU). Cal State East Bay is recognized as a regionally engaged and globally oriented university with a strong commitment to academic innovation, student success, engaged and service learning, diversity, and sustainability.

About the Position

This position performs and assists in backstage technical operations for University Theatre events, including lighting, sound, rigging, carpentry, and general stage production support. Aids in mounting departmental productions and servicing external events by constructing and setting up technical systems such as scenery, props, and effects. Supports backstage and shop operations, helps train and guide student assistants in the safe and proper use of equipment and materials, and ensures facilities and equipment are maintained. Performs related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and assist in backstage technical work for University Theatre events, including stage lighting, sound, rigging and light carpentry.
• Assist with mounting technical aspects of department productions or assist with servicing events of outside users, includes construction of show items and/or setting up stage technical systems – might deal with scenery, costumes, lights, sound, props, painting, effects, rigging, makeup, setup, strike, stage managing, and other similar production operations.
• Provides support for backstage shop and stage operations by meeting regularly and coordinating with shop and stage supervisors to plan, schedule work, and assist in shop operations and with ongoing production and maintenance activities.
• Assists with providing lead work direction to students and student assistants in shops or on stage, which includes but is not limited to assisting in proper use of equipment, tools, and materials and assists in maintaining a safe work environment.
• Maintains stock, equipment, and facilities and performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Entry to the first level within this classification requires one to two years 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/audio production.
• This background normally would be achieved through professional training or applicable college coursework and practical experience.

Required Qualifications

• A valid driver’s license.
• Experience with safely using hazardous materials found in backstage shops.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Knowledge of and skills to properly and safely use stage lighting, live/pre-recorded sound, stage rigging, machinery, tools, equipment, and materials of one or more backstage shops, stage, and technical theatre support areas.
• Skill and ability to safely and securely open and close one or more backstage shops and work spaces after cleaning and checking that broken equipment is marked for repair or maintenance.
• Ability to take instruction for work to be completed and then develop a plan for doing the work assigned.
• Ability to complete work on time with a group of students and without considerable additional supervision.
• Ability to serve courteously and helpfully, especially with students, audiences, and event renters.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• BA in Theatre Arts or a related field is preferred and/or four years work in one or more stage technology fields.

Condition(s) of Employment

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including LiveScan, as appropriate), that may include, but is not limited to: criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and/or verification of work history is required for employment. Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.

EEO Statement

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal State, East Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. The CSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Other Information

All California State University campuses, including Cal State East Bay, are smoke and tobacco-free. For more information, please visit our website here. In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the Cal State East Bay Annual Campus Security Report is available here.

Sponsorship

Cal State East Bay is not a sponsoring agency for Staff or Management positions and we are not an E-Verify employer.

Mandated Reporter

The incumbent in this position may be considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and will be required to comply with requirements set forth in the CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Application Deadline

Advertised: Oct 27 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: [no closing date]