Stagehand

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Florida is seeking a part-time OPS Stagehand to support UF Performing Arts production operations. You will assist full-time staff and visiting crews in load-in, setup, operation, strike, and load-out of theatrical productions, concerts, and events.

Flexibility is essential as hours vary based on production needs. Candidates must be able to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, with a reliable commute to the Main Campus in Gainesville.

Qualifications

• Ability to safely lift, carry, and move stage equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform physical work including standing, walking, reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and overhead work.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and communicate effectively with supervisors and production staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and maintain safety.
• Ability to work flexible schedules including evenings, weekends, holidays, and short notice work calls.
• This position is open to UF students eligible to work on campus; OPS employment; students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and may work up to 20 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Production Support: provide general stagehand support for live events, including theatrical productions, concerts, special events, work calls, and other venue activities.
• Load-In & Strike: support the load-in, setup, operation, strike, and load-out of production elements as assigned.
• Stage Organization: maintain clean, safe, and organized stage and backstage work areas.
• Safety: follow all University, venue, and departmental safety policies, procedures, and instructions while maintaining safe work practices in a live event environment.
• Communication: communicate effectively with supervisors, technicians, and production staff to support safe and efficient event operations.
• Collaboration: work collaboratively as part of a production team in a fast-paced live event environment.

Skills

Lifting 50 pounds

Physical stamina

Team collaboration

Flexibility of schedule

Communication skills

On-campus student eligibility

Job description

Stagehand

Job No: 540540

Work Type: Part Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

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

Department: 13500000 - PC-PHILLIPS CENTER

Job Description

Classification Title

OPS HOURLY NON-SECRETARIAL

Classification Minimum Requirements

• Ability to safely lift, carry, and move stage equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform physical work associated with stage operations, including standing, walking, reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and working overhead for extended periods.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and communicate effectively with supervisors, technicians, and production staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while maintaining a professional and safety-focused attitude.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and short notice work calls based on production needs.
• Ability to secure reliable transportation and report on time for scheduled work calls.
• 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.

Job Description

This position is open to all individuals eligible for employment at the University of Florida and is hired through Other Personnel Services (OPS). UF students are eligible to apply; however, this is not a student-only position. Employment is part-time and scheduled based on operational and production needs, and hours are variable.

Part-time OPS Stagehands support UF Performing Arts production operations by assisting full-time staff and visiting production crews in the load-in, setup, operation, strike, and load-out of theatrical productions, concerts, special events, work calls, and other venue activities. This position requires the ability and willingness to work across multiple production areas and technical disciplines as operational needs require.

Essential Functions

• Production Support: provide general stagehand support for live events, including theatrical productions, concerts, special events, work calls, and other venue activities.
• Load-In & Strike: support the load-in, setup, operation, strike, and load-out of production elements as assigned.
• Stage Organization: maintain clean, safe, and organized stage and backstage work areas.
• Safety: follow all University, venue, and departmental safety policies, procedures, and instructions while maintaining safe work practices in a live event environment.
• Communication: communicate effectively with supervisors, technicians, and production staff to support safe and efficient event operations.
• Collaboration: work collaboratively as part of a production team in a fast-paced live event environment.

These duties may include support in the following production areas

• Carpentry / Props: Assist with loading and unloading production trucks; moving road cases; sweeping and mopping stage floors; laying dance floors; and setting up and striking risers, chairs, music stands, tables, orchestra shells, and other stage elements.
• Lighting: Assist with hanging, focusing, and striking lighting fixtures; pulling cable; and operating or assisting with personnel lifts (e.g., Genie lifts).
• Audio: Assist with the setup and strike of audio equipment, including speakers, microphones, mic stands, monitors, backline equipment, and all associated cabling.
• Video: Assist with the setup and strike of video equipment, including running cables, projector setup, and screen installation.
• Rigging / Fly Systems: Assist with assembling, hanging, and striking scenic elements, curtains, and other suspended production equipment under supervision.

Expected Salary

$15.00-$17.00/hr based on experience and availability

Required Qualifications

• Ability to safely lift, carry, and move stage equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform physical work associated with stage operations, including standing, walking, reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and working overhead for extended periods.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and communicate effectively with supervisors, technicians, and production staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while maintaining a professional and safety-focused attitude.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and short notice work calls based on production needs.
• Ability to secure reliable transportation and report on time for scheduled work calls.
• 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

Candidates with experience and skills in technical theatre are encouraged to apply; however, prior technical theatre experience is not required. Experience in live event production or stage operations is considered an advantage.

UF Performing Arts 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 production practices.

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 are not guaranteed. 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.