School of the Arts Assistant Technical Director

Converse College; Spartanburg (SC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Converse College is seeking an Assistant Technical Director to support the Technical Director in managing events for the School of the Arts. Key responsibilities include maintaining performance spaces, assisting in production setups, and working with student workers.

The ideal candidate will have an associate's degree, possess strong customer service skills, and be able to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends. This role offers a dynamic environment within a dedicated team.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree required or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.
• Ability to work in dusty spaces.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining safety and efficiency of performance spaces.
• Assist with scenic elements for productions.
• Support community partners during events.

Skills

Customer service skills

Technical orientation

Creative problem-solving

Ability to work in teams

Ability to lift 50 pounds

Education

Associate's degree in technical theater or related field

Equivalent experience in technical theater

Tools

Audio and video technology

Theatrical sound systems

Stage lighting

Job description

Summary of Position

The Assistant Technical Director (ATD) reports to the Technical Director as a part of the Event Services Department. The position requires excellent customer service skills, a sense of urgency in completing tasks efficiently, and an ability to handle stressful situations in a quick‑paced environment while in compliance with the University's Service Expectations. This 12‑month position works with the School of the Arts and Converse Events Services and their calendar of scheduled events and production deadlines. The ATD will work closely with the Technical Director (TD) to plan, set up, and execute professionally run events/productions.

Essential / Non‑Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Oversight of School of the Arts Exhibit, Performance, and Production Spaces (50%)

• Assist the TD in maintaining the safety and efficiency of all School of the Arts (Theatre & Dance, Art, Design and Letters, Petrie School of Music) performance, production and exhibition spaces, including but not limited to: the Hazel B Abbott Theatre (180 seat) and the Laird Studio Theatre (black box flex 80 seat); Daniel Recital Hall (335 seat); Milliken Art Gallery; Cook Art Gallery; Art and Design Wood Shop and Sculpture Studio; the Montgomery Student Center Dance studio spaces and their equipment and marley floors; the John Bald scene shop, including its stock, inventory and tools; the Wilson lighting booth, costume shop and 'Hazel's Attic' informal attic stage performance space; 3rd floor Wilson Technical Director offices and Theatre adjacent spaces; all 4th floor Wilson storage spaces and rooms
• Assist with the construction and installation of the scenic elements for all productions of the annual Converse Theatre & Dance season and the Converse Opera annual production, including purchasing, receipts tracking, materials stocking, and budgeting
• Assist with all Opera and Theatre & Dance Tech Week technical rehearsals, including student Build days and Strike days
• Attend appropriate School of the Arts production meetings
• Assist with the maintenance of lighting, sound, and projection equipment in SOA performance/exhibition spaces
• Assist with pre‑production for SOA to include logistics, planning, scheduling, possible lighting and sound design, problem‑solving, safety, set building, etc.
• Run campus and rental events (load‑in, run, strike) as scheduled within the Events Services team
• Support community partners with rehearsals, stage sets, front‑of‑house needs, back‑of‑house needs, strike, etc.
• Support rehearsals, performances, meetings, or presentations for renters and campus departments within Daniel / Hazel B. Abbott Theater and other SOA spaces
• Train and work with student workers

Generalist Responsibilities (50%)

• Support Event Services staff in other facilities on campus
• Support rehearsals, performances, meetings, or presentations for other departments, such as, but not limited to, the President's Office, Admissions Office, Institutional Advancement, and other areas of the University as needed.
• Assist with the flip of the Twichell stage in and out of the shell as needed between performances and assist with the removal of the pit when necessary
• Assist with the laying and removal of Marley flooring in Twichell as needed
• Communicate and coordinate promptly with key Converse faculty, staff, and renters on their specific event/production needs and expectations.
• Be present during events of the School of the Arts, and Converse events as appropriate.
• Attend weekly campus Events Meeting
• Maintain occupancy compliance concerning Fire Marshal codes in all spaces
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree required, bachelor's degree preferred in technical theater or a related field
• Equivalent experience and training in technical theater fields will be considered instead of a formal degree.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and stand for extended periods
• Ability to be able to work in dusty spaces.
• Technically oriented, creative, and work well within a team environment
• Friendly, attentive, and able to multitask with a small team in close quarters

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with audio, video, and lighting technology in conjunction with event production.
• Work well within a team environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of applications of theatrical equipment, including theatrical sound systems, digital video systems, fly systems, rigging, ladders, grid, and stage lighting.
• Experience working with professional artists/entertainers/groups from a broad range of disciplines and demonstrated ability to provide service to assist them in reaching their desired event goals is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applications of theatrical equipment, including theatrical sound systems, digital video systems, rigging, fly systems, and stage lighting.

Guidelines and Supervision

The position reports to the Technical Director, and the ATD must be able to work independently or within a team.

Work Schedule

Onsite

Hours

Normal business hours for Converse: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Friday. This position requires night and weekend work, which will create flexed schedules. Weekly hour totals can fall anywhere between 36 hours - 80 hours, depending on the event / show demands.

Licenses

None

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.

EEO Statement

We believe that a diverse faculty and staff are essential to achieving academic excellence; thus, we strongly encourage applications from candidates from all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.