Professional Assistant for Theatre Arts

Suffolk County Community College; Selden (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Suffolk County Community College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Professional Assistant for Theatre Arts at the Ammerman Campus in Selden, NY. The role supports day-to-day theatre production operations for college-sponsored events and instructional labs, ensuring a safe, efficient, and professional environment for students and faculty.

Responsibilities include maintaining lighting and audio equipment, instructing students in lighting plots, supervising scenery construction,

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and 1–3 years of experience in the performing arts technology field.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with students in a constructive, respectful, and educational environment.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair audio equipment for Shea Theatre and Theatre 119.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair lighting equipment for Shea Theatre and Theatre 119.
• Coordinate and instruct students in the hanging, circuiting, and implementation of lighting plots.
• Supervise and instruct students in scenery and properties construction.
• Assist faculty members teaching THR 152, THR 153, THR 154, and THR 155 courses.
• Supervise evening performances produced by the Suffolk County Community College Theatre Department.
• Set up and supervise Spring Music Concerts.
• Set up and supervise Honors Program Convocation events.
• Set up and supervise the Long Island Music Festival.
• Collaborate professionally with incoming production companies and support college-sponsored events.

Skills

Lighting design

Lighting repair

Audio systems

Sound design

Electrical knowledge

Stage electricity

Communication

Team collaboration

Lightwright

Vectorworks

ETC Eos

QLab

Adobe Audition

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate degree in performing arts technology

Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre or related

Tools

Lightwright

Vectorworks

ETC Eos

QLab

Adobe Audition

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 26,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood, and Riverhead, as well as its Culinary Arts Center in Riverhead. Established in 1959, the college offers a wide array of transfer-oriented associate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences; business; communications and the arts; computing and cybersecurity; health sciences; and many other areas. Career-facing degrees and certificates are offered in allied health professions, automotive technology, culinary and baking, manufacturing, and many other areas. The college provides high school concurrent enrollment opportunities to thousands of students each year through both Suffolk’s Beacon program and through on-campus early college classes. Designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution, Suffolk enrolls thousands of students in English Language Learning courses, and also serves more service veterans and military-connected students than any other college in the SUNY system.

Announcement is hereby made for a full-time (10-month), tenure-track Professional Assistant for Theatre Arts position beginning in the Spring 2027 semester at the Ammerman Campus in Selden, NY.Suffolk County Community College is an open admissions institution committed to serving a diverse student population in a variety of degree and career programs.

The Professional Assistant for the Theatre Arts department supports the day-to-day operation of the department’s production program, including college-sponsored and non-college events. This role ensures a safe, efficient, and professional working environment for students, faculty, and visiting organizations. The position reports directly to the Academic Chair of Music and Theatre.

Job Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with students in a constructive, respectful, and educational environment.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair audio equipment for Shea Theatre and Theatre 119.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair lighting equipment for Shea Theatre and Theatre 119.
• Coordinate and instruct students in the hanging, circuiting, and implementation of lighting plots.
• Supervise and instruct students in scenery and properties construction.
• Assist faculty members teaching THR 152, THR 153, THR 154, and THR 155 courses.
• Supervise evening performances produced by the Suffolk County Community College Theatre Department.
• Set up and supervise Spring Music Concerts.
• Set up and supervise Honors Program Convocation events.
• Set up and supervise the Long Island Music Festival.
• Collaborate professionally with incoming production companies and support college-sponsored events.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Thorough knowledge of basic stage electricity.
• Extensive knowledge of theatrical lighting systems and equipment.
• Experience designing lighting for theatrical productions.
• Ability to hang, focus, and maintain lighting instruments.
• Knowledge of audio systems and equipment.
• Ability to set up and operate wired and wireless microphones, speakers, and playback systems.
• Ability to design and execute sound for theatrical events.
• Ability to set up and operate computers, projectors, and related presentation equipment.
• Proficiency in the use of hand and power tools.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Proficiency in relevant software including, but not limited to: Lightwright, Vectorworks, ETC Eos, QLab, Adobe Audition, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Scenic design and scenic painting experience preferred.
• Ability to lift, move, and transport heavy equipment such as lighting and sound equipment.
• Ability to operate a personnel lift at heights of up to 25 feet.
• Ability to safely use ladders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree and minimum one (1) to three (3) years of experience in the performing arts technology field.

Preferred

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Technical Theatre or a closely related field.
• Professional experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

HIRING SALARY:

This is a Unit III position covered under the Faculty Association of Suffolk County Community College collective bargaining agreement with the college. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision, vacation days, deferred compensation, and a defined benefit (pension) plan

The New York State Retirement and Social Security Law requires retirees of a public pension plan within the State or City of New York to disclose prior public employment and pension plan history for the purpose of establishing a retiree’s eligibility for employment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE:

Suffolk County Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, equal pay compensation-sex, national origin, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction or disability in its admissions, programs and activities, or employment. This applies to all employees, students, applicants or other members of the College community (including, but not limited to, vendors and visitors). Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting either of the Civil Rights Compliance Officers/Coordinators listed below. Retaliation against a person who files a complaint, serves as a witness, or assists or participates in the investigation of a complaint in any manner is strictly prohibited.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College's non-discrimination polices:

Christina Vargas
Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator
Ammerman Campus, NFL Bldg., Suite 230
533 College Road, Selden, New York 11784-2899
[e-mail]
[phone]

or

Dionne Walker-Belgrave
Affirmative Action Officer/Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Ammerman Campus, NFL Bldg., Suite 230
533 College Road, Selden, New York 11784-2899
[e-mail]
[phone]

Inquiries or complaints concerning alleged civil rights violations in the College’s education admissions, programs and activities may also be directed to:

Office for Civil Rights (OCR) – Enforcement Office
U.S. Department of Education
32 Old Slip, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10005-2500
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
TDD: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Also see: https://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm

Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination in employment practices may also be directed to:

NYS Division of Human Rights
Long Island (Suffolk)
New York State Office Building
250 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 2B-49
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Telephone: [phone]
TDD: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Also see: https://dhr.ny.gov/how-file-complaint

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

New York District Office
33 Whitehall Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
TTY: [phone]
ASL Video Phone: [phone]
Also see: https://www.eeoc.gov/field/newyork/charge.cfm

Suffolk County Community College is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment, education, access to services, programs, and activities, including career and technical education opportunities.

A copy of the postsecondary career and technical education courses offered by the College is available and may be obtained on our website at: www.sunysuffolk.edu/explore-academics/college-catalog or by calling the Office of Admissions at 631-451-4000 to request a mailing.