Technical Director - Performing Arts Center

Waterford Union High School is seeking a qualified applicant to serve as its Technical Director of the Performing Arts Center. Under the direction of the Athletic & Activities Administrator, the successful candidate will provide effective, efficient, and safe operation of the Performing Arts Center as a hub for learning, performance, and community connection; will grow community awareness, access, and use of the facility; and will oversee facility scheduling throughout the building.

This is a salaried position (260-day contract) with regular hours from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The role requires open availability for evening and weekend productions, rentals, and community events.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor of Arts degree in Technical Theatre, Theatre Production, Arts Administration, or equivalent preferred.  
• Minimum two years of experience in technical theatre, live event production, or venue management.
• Experience with current production technologies preferred: ETC lighting consoles, LED/networked lighting, digital and networked audio (e.g., Yamaha, Dante), Wenger shells/risers, video projection, and livestreaming; experience with facility scheduling, digital ticketing, or rental management desirable.
• Safety credentials preferred (e.g., ETCP recognition, OSHA 10/30, aerial lift certification, CPR/AED/First Aid), or willingness to obtain within the first year.
• Any such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Education may find appropriate and acceptable.

• Strong organizational skills; able to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple concurrent events.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with staff, students, parents/guardians, renters, community members, and the Board of Education; strong customer-service mindset.
• Knowledge of current theatre technology (lighting, audio, video, rigging, livestreaming) and theatre safety standards, with a commitment to ongoing professional learning.
• Proficiency with facility scheduling/event management software, digital ticketing and payment platforms, website and social media tools, and standard office software.
• Commitment to accessibility and inclusion (ADA compliance, assistive listening, sensory-friendly events), strict confidentiality, professional ethics, and positive mentorship of students.

• Operate, maintain, and safeguard the technical assets of the auditorium, including lighting, sound, video/projection, livestreaming and recording systems, rigging, communications equipment, and stage facilities; set up or coordinate setup of all equipment for events.
• Monitor use of all performance facilities (Auditorium, LGI, Drama/Green Room, Scene Shop, Catwalk, Storage, House, Box Office, and Dressing Rooms) to assure safety, appropriateness, and adherence to district policy.
• Maintain written safety protocols consistent with OSHA and industry (ESTA/ANSI) standards; provide documented safety training for students, staff, renters, and volunteers; conduct and document regular equipment inspections; serve as on-site emergency coordinator during events.
• Monitor equipment condition; arrange repair and replacement within budget; perform preventive maintenance; maintain an asset inventory and multi-year technology replacement plan; recommend upgrades (e.g., LED conversion, networked AV, streaming capability).
• Communicate with the Building and Grounds Supervisor and custodial/maintenance staff regarding cleanliness, repairs, and custodial needs, including evening and weekend events.

Serve as the district’s central scheduler for facility use throughout the building, administering the Bound platform for all internal and community reservations:

• Evaluate and Vet Rental Requests: Review, filter, and process internal and community reservation applications submitted through the digital portal, ensuring all requests align with district guidelines, usage policies, and scheduling constraints.
• Manage the Master Facility Calendar: Maintain and oversee the centralized Bound Facility Calendar, actively cross-referencing public rental setups with student athletic schedules and extracurricular activities to maximize space utilization and eliminate double-bookings.
• Enforce Compliance and Contracts: Oversee the administration of electronic rental agreements, ensuring that digital contracts are executed and required proof of liability insurance is validated and on file before granting final event approval.
•  Coordinate Invoicing and Digital Payments: Manage the platform’s financial workflows by generating accurate facility rental fees, distributing digital invoices to external users, and tracking real-time payment collection and compliance.
• Ticket Facilitation: Manage, promote, and execute ticketing processes for non-athletic events.

• Advise potential users on usage policies and facility capabilities; determine the best utilization of the facilities for a successful event; arrange all equipment, personnel, and facilities for each event.
• Enter into contracts for use of the Auditorium and/or WUHS equipment per the Rental Guidelines and User Manual, with authority to waive or alter fee schedules; submit all other contracts to the Board for approval.
• Orient renters to safety and technical characteristics of the facility; conduct pre- and post-production walk-throughs; solicit user feedback; facilitate communication between simultaneous and sequential users.
• Maintain archival records of facility usage, policies, and procedures.

• Develop and implement an annual community engagement and facility growth plan with measurable targets for community usage, attendance, rental revenue, and new user groups; report progress to the Director of Athletics and Activities and District Administration.
• Market the facility to community members and organizations; lead tours, open houses, and behind-the-scenes events; promote events through the website, social media, e-newsletter, and local media; assist with publicity for all users.
•  Build partnerships with arts organizations, feeder districts, municipalities, service clubs, and area businesses; cultivate a community programming series (touring artists, concerts, film nights, family programming) and community education opportunities such as workshops and summer camps.
• Expand access through accessible and sensory-friendly performances and affordable community-use options; recruit and recognize community volunteers and help establish a Fine Arts Parent Partnership to support the facility and its programs.
• Pursue sponsorships, gifts, and grants per district policy; conduct periodic user surveys and prepare an annual facility utilization report; coordinate visual arts exhibits with the WUHS Art Department and gallery volunteers.

• Recruit and train WUHS students as technicians, stage crew, and ushers for auditorium events, providing hands-on mentoring in current production technologies (lighting, audio, video, stage management, livestreaming) that builds career-ready skills.
• Serve as technical director for WUHS and feeder district performances, guiding student crews in lighting, sound, and video/projection execution. Students participating in theatrical and musical productions remain under the supervision of the theatre, band, or choir director/advisor; the technical director serves as a guide and mentor in support of those staff.
• Provide technical assistance and house management for district curricular and administrative events; arrange technical support and event staffing for co-curricular and other school events.

• Provide regular managing director’s and expense/income reports to the Director of Athletics and Activities and District Administration; bring usage questions, policy updates, and budget recommendations forward; report gifts to the Auditorium; assist with reports to the School Board.
• Responsibly manage assigned district budgets and event revenue; ensure timely invoicing and collection; hire, train, supervise, and pay auditorium personnel.
• Administer functions in a non-biased capacity, balancing usage among school, feeder district, and community users.
• Attend monthly department and faculty meetings; serve on the Calendar Committee.
• Provide all other duties as assigned.