VCUarts Scene Shop Coordiantor

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University’s VCUarts Department of Theatre seeks a Scene Shop Coordinator to provide skilled manual labor in the scene shop and to mentor students. The role reports to the Technical Director and involves independent judgment on routine issues and collaboration with a team.

Responsibilities include carpentry, rigging, welding, painting, and maintenance of fixtures and facilities. Strong communication and safety awareness are essential for this onsite position.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1–3 years of related experience; theatre degree preferred.
• Valid Virginia Driver’s License.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and operate hand/power tools.
• Lead role in a specialized scene shop area (e.g., Paint Charge, Prop Charge, Lead Carpenter).

Responsibilities

• Supervise groups of students with varying skill levels.
• Maintain safe working practices in the scene shop.
• Perform skilled manual labor in carpentry, rigging, welding, or painting.
• Clean, repair, and maintain scene shop equipment and fixtures.
• Respond promptly to work requests in areas of expertise.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Leadership of students

Education

High school diploma or GED

Undergraduate degree or equivalent in Theatre

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

VCUarts Department of Theatre

Scene Shop Coordinator

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts) invites applications for a Scene Shop Coordinator to provide skilled manual labor in support of the Department of Theatre’s scene shop operation. The Scene Shop Coordinator will also serve as a professional mentor to students and supervise students in the course of their work in the scene shop. Typical responsibilities include carpentry, rigging, welding and/or painting needed to create scenery and props for department productions. Responsibilities may also include maintaining, repairing, altering, and constructing fixtures, equipment, and facilities, and performing general building maintenance duties. The Scene Shop Coordinator may work independently or as part of a team and will exercise independent judgment for routine issues, referring complex issues to a higher level for resolution. This position works under general supervision and reports to the Technical Director.

Typical Duties:

• Supervise groups of students of various skill levels.
• Maintain safe working practices with students working and/or studying in the scene shop.
• Skilled manual labor.
• Clean, organize and perform minor repair and preventative maintenance of scene shop.
• Painting.
• Rigging.
• Welding.
• Carpentry.
• Responsible for promptly responding to work requests in area(s) of expertise.

Qualifications:

• Effective communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, collaboration-minded.
• High school diploma or GED with 1 to 3 years of relevant experience, education, and training. An undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in Theatre field is preferred.
• Relevant experience in a specialized area of scene shop operation needed to independently perform a lead role in that area for department productions.
• Areas of specialization could include Paint Charge, Prop Charge, Assistant Technical Director, Lead Carpenter, etc.
• Valid Virginia Driver’s License.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and have an expert understanding in the use and operation of hand and power tools.

General knowledge of at least three of the following areas:

• Carpentry.
• Rigging.
• Welding.
• Painting.
• Knowledge of Theatre Scene Shop.
• Knowledge of Theatre sound and lighting equipment.
• Reliable and independent worker.
• Supervisory experience.

Salary Range: $19–23 per hour

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 29 hours per week on average

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Slotting: H – Trades Worker FM 1