Technical Director

Muhlenberg College invites applications for Technical Director for productions to join our nationally recognized Department of Theatre & Dance. The Theatre and Dance programs at Muhlenberg College are dynamic, large, physically and intellectually engaging programs that serve approximately 300 majors and minors. The Theatre program produces 4 major productions and the Dance program produces 3 productions each academic year as well as supporting smaller events such as staged readings and lending (limited) support to the student run MTA (Muhlenberg Theatre Association) and MDA (Muhlenberg Dance Association). The Department houses four performance venues: two proscenium theatres and two flexible studio theatres. As a community committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, the department seeks candidates who strive to bring vision, mentorship, communication, and collaboration to our campus through the Technical Director position.

Characteristic Responsibilities:

• Create a welcoming, healthy, safe, productive, inclusive, and supportive educational environment for our diverse student body and other community members with an emphasis on student learning and development.
• Operation & Collaboration with the Lighting and Sound Specialist, Assistant Technical Director, Scenic Painters and Props Artist(s), Workstudy student workers and student volunteers:
• Provide leadership, supervision, and oversight to the Assistant Technical Director and Workstudy student workers and student volunteers.
• Manage and ensure an organized and safe work environment.
• Manage shop, production, and equipment budgets as designated.
• Order, track, and maintain shop materials (lumber, hardware, etc.).
• Manage schedules, deadlines, and workflow of productions, coordinate safety training for students, and assign tasks and other work as needed.
• Responsible for tracking and reconciling corporate credit card purchases.
• Supervise maintenance and organization of tools, equipment, and facilities.
• Attend and contribute to production and staff meetings.
• Oversee and maintain the off-site storage facility of department inventory, including scenic elements, props, and furniture.
• Ensure safekeeping of department facilities, venues, and equipment.
• Maintenance and repair of the scene shop and department equipment to ensure clean and safe working conditions.
• In production:
• Lead the planning, technical construction, installation, maintenance and transfer of scenery (built, purchased, rented, or otherwise), strikes and load-outs.
• Oversee rigging for all productions produced and presented.
• Produce working and construction drawings from design packages.
• Determine the feasibility and safety of all designs.
• Collaborate and communicate with scenic designers design/tech faculty to discuss designs, shop schedules, resources, budget, and mentorship of student designers.
• Attend tech rehearsals and/or performances as needed or arrange for appropriate coverage of tech rehearsals (requires nights and weekends).
• Student facing:
• Hire & supervise student employees and volunteers with an emphasis on safety and security, including lift and counterweight operation.
• Create student work schedules, approve timesheets, and assign tasks to students.
• Coordination & Collaboration with the design/tech faculty, PM, and the Chair of Theatre & Dance on:
• the functioning of the shop as a healthy and productive learning environment for students, including updates on projects (daily and ongoing) and proposed changes to the shop as requested.
• the use and preparation of the shop and other spaces for class and other departmental purposes.
• field requests for volunteer opportunities for students.
• Serve as department liaison to the College Safety Committee.
• Supervise support for events (departmental and otherwise) scheduled for evenings and weekends in the various venues that fall under the responsibility of the department.
• Potential for the opportunity to teach a stagecraft course. [This additional work would be compensated as adjunct teaching on top of the base salary].
• May perform other duties as assigned.

While no one person may possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will have many of the following professional experiences and characteristics:

Qualifications:

• A BA or BFA in theatre or related field is required.
• Experience in technical theatre with a demonstrated emphasis in planning and budgeting human and financial resources.
• Minimum five years of experience, ideally three in an educational theatre environment or other commensurate, demonstrated experience that indicates preparation for success in a prolific, nationally ranked department.
• Demonstrated ability in a broad range of the elements of scenic construction and engineering, shop supervision, and stage rigging (experience with welding, stage lighting, audio, projection, automation and/or scene painting would be an asset).
• Knowledge of VectorWorks, AutoCad, and Google Suite required. Knowledge of VCarve and Fusion 360 preferred.
• Comfortable working on lifts, ladders, scaffolding, catwalks, and gridirons.
• Must be able to lift and manipulate heavy equipment, alone or with assistance.
• Must be self-motivated with strong interpersonal, supervisory, and
• organizational skills and be able to multitask and work under pressure.
• Must be able to bring a positive and constructive approach into a team environment that includes students.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive academic and professional environment where all members of our campus community are respected, valued, can succeed, and thrive.
• Must be willing to operate on a flexible schedule to align with Theatre & Dance rehearsal/production and other requirements, to include evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Experience with MIG welding preferred.
• Successful completion of satisfactory background checks, including but not limited to education verification, driving, criminal background, and child abuse clearance.
• Clean driving record is essential, and must be maintained during employment.

Schedule & Benefits: At Muhlenberg, we value your work-life balance, and are pleased to offer this full-time position budgeted for ten months of work per year (August – May), with the months of June & July off. Muhlenberg offers a highly competitive benefits package that promotes well-being and professional growth. This includes generous paid time off, including 18 vacation days per year and an extended winter break between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid parental leave, tuition opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate level and a college fitness center membership. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution, Muhlenberg is also a qualifying employer under the federal government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

This is a full-time, in-person position based on Muhlenberg’s campus in Allentown, PA.

The College & Surrounding Area: Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering baccalaureate and graduate programs. At Muhlenberg, we are committed to a campus community that ensures students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome, respected, valued and included. The College provides an intensely challenging, supportive environment centered around a rigorous academic curriculum designed to prepare students for lives of leadership and meaning in a dynamic, global society. The academic program is amplified by a range of innovative programming: comprehensive and intentional residence-life programming, expansive experiential learning requirements, and an innovative coaching program designed to maximize every student’s performance and potential. Part of eastern Pennsylvania’s scenic Lehigh Valley, Allentown is a diverse city of 125,000, Pennsylvania’s third-largest, located just 60 miles north of Philadelphia and 90 miles west of New York City. The Lehigh Valley, which also includes neighboring cities Bethlehem and Easton, is one of the fastest growing regions in the state and the Northeast, leading Pennsylvania in population growth for people aged 18–34. Home to a vibrant arts scene, extensive parks and recreational opportunities, a rich blend of diverse cuisine, and so much more, visit Life in the Lehigh Valley | Muhlenberg College and check out Allentown here.

To apply, upload your complete application package as a single PDF document. A complete application package includes: 1) cover letter; 2) resume; 3) a separate statement speaking to how your professional experience will contribute to a more inclusive community at Muhlenberg; and 4) names/contact information for three professional references. Application review will continue until the position is filled.

To initiate your application visit

https://www.muhlenberg.edu/offices/hr/jobs.html

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An Equal Opportunity Employer, Muhlenberg College is committed to valuing and enhancing diversity and encourages applications from individuals who can contribute to the diversity of our community. Muhlenberg College does not discriminate against any person based on age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetics, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, veteran status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, in its education programs and activities, including admissions and employment. Muhlenberg College does not discriminate on the basis of sex as required by Title IX.

Legal Notice

Muhlenberg College Annual Crime Reporting- As provided by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998, prospective employees of Muhlenberg College are entitled to request and receive a copy of the College Annual Security Report (ASR). The ASR can be accessed at http://www.muhlenberg.edu/annualsecurityreport . This report includes crime statistics on certain reportable crimes, as well as Muhlenberg College Safety Policies. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus safety and police, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault and other matters. Anyone wishing a paper copy of the ASR may contact the Campus Safety Office at 484-664-3112.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $52,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $52,000 - $55,000