What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Director position at Western Carolina University?
The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being subject to the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (SHRA).
The Technical Director serves the School of Stage and Screen and supports the planning, budgeting, coordination, and execution of scenic construction for theatre and film productions. The position works collaboratively with faculty technical theatre specialists, production staff, and student crews to support the School’s educational and production mission.
This position provides day-to-day coordination of scene shop operations, student employees, scenic construction, and related production activities. The Technical Director collaborates with faculty responsible for other production areas, including film production, and assists with the upkeep and organization of theatre and production spaces. The position also supports safe working practices, provides student guidance, and helps develop efficient production workflows.
This position requires the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work includes hands-on scenic construction, installation, strike, tool and equipment use, loading, unloading, and movement of scenic materials and production supplies in shop, stage, theatre, loading, and related production environments.
The School values creative problem solving, collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to learn and apply new production technologies and methods in support of student learning and production quality.
The School of Stage and Screen at Western Carolina University serves approximately 180 students across five degree tracks and a dance minor. The School offers a BFA in Theatre with concentrations in Musical Theatre, Acting for Stage and Screen, and Entertainment Design and Technology; a BA in Stage and Screen; and a BFA in Film and Television Production. Its experiential curriculum emphasizes storytelling across all degree tracks and includes opportunities to support musicals, plays, a web series, and an annual film festival featuring student-produced films.
The Technical Director serves the School of Stage and Screen and supports the planning, budgeting, coordination, and execution of scenic construction for theatre and film productions. The position works collaboratively with faculty technical theatre specialists, production staff, and student crews to support the School’s educational and production mission.
This position provides day-to-day coordination of scene shop operations, student employees, scenic construction, and related production activities. The Technical Director collaborates with faculty responsible for other production areas, including film production, and assists with the upkeep and organization of theatre and production spaces. The position also supports safe working practices, provides student guidance, and helps develop efficient production workflows.
This position requires the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work includes hands-on scenic construction, installation, strike, tool and equipment use, loading, unloading, and movement of scenic materials and production supplies in shop, stage, theatre, loading, and related production environments.
The School values creative problem solving, collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to learn and apply new production technologies and methods in support of student learning and production quality.
The School of Stage and Screen at Western Carolina University serves approximately 180 students across five degree tracks and a dance minor. The School offers a BFA in Theatre with concentrations in Musical Theatre, Acting for Stage and Screen, and Entertainment Design and Technology; a BA in Stage and Screen; and a BFA in Film and Television Production. Its experiential curriculum emphasizes storytelling across all degree tracks and includes opportunities to support musicals, plays, a web series, and an annual film festival featuring student-produced films.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position
- Scenic construction, technical drawings, and shop practices: Knowledge of construction methods, materials, theatrical production practices, shop operations, and technical documentation, with the ability to build scenery accurately from drawings and construction documents.
- Safety, rigging, equipment, and production technology: Knowledge of theatrical rigging, shop safety practices, safe equipment operation, and emerging production technologies.
- Physical production work and safe material handling: Ability to perform physically active production work, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, kneeling, crouching, grasping, and maneuvering scenic materials, tools, equipment, and supplies in shop, stage, theatre, and related production environments while following established safety practices.
- Training, communication, and work coordination: Ability to train and guide student employees and production crews; communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students; organize assigned work; balance competing production needs; and support efficient production workflows.
- Resourcefulness, problem solving, and materials logistics: Ability to identify practical solutions to production challenges; obtain materials, equipment, and supplies through vendors and salvage resources; maintain a valid driver’s license; and operate university vehicles, including a 14-foot box truck, to transport materials throughout the region as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an ‘equivalent combination of education and experience.’ If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in theatre arts, and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in theatre arts, and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Anticipated Hiring Range
$55,204
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours per Week
40
Number of Months per Year
12
Salary Band Range
$39,000 - $67,831
Salary Grade
For administrative purposes during the implementation of Career Banding this Advanced level position is considered a Salary Grade 65
Posting Text
Open Date
07/15/2026
Close Date
08/09/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must apply online in order to be considered. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of references (with complete contact information).
PLEASE COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS.
Applicants must upload a DD-214 if claiming Veteran’s Preference.
If no applicants apply, who meet the required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Competencies and Training and Experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.
All new hires into positions subject to the State Human Resources Act (SHRA) will serve a 12 month probationary period as defined by the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR).
PLEASE COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS.
Applicants must upload a DD-214 if claiming Veteran’s Preference.
If no applicants apply, who meet the required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Competencies and Training and Experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.
All new hires into positions subject to the State Human Resources Act (SHRA) will serve a 12 month probationary period as defined by the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR).
Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
Benefits:
Retirement Plan, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Dental InsuranceSalary : $39,000 - $67,831