Assistant Technical Director, Texas Performing Arts

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, UT

2d • $65,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Texas Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Austin (TPA) is the nation’s largest and most active university-based performing arts center by annual attendance, budget, and number of events. Both an anchor institution in Austin’s arts landscape and a nationally significant presenter, TPA operates venues on the University of Texas at Austin campus including Austin’s largest theater, Bass Concert Hall. Its presenting includes Broadway in Austin; an international season of dance, theater, and music; and the Texas Welcomes series of national touring artists. Education is at the core of TPA’s programs, which serve more than 30,000 K-12 students and the 55,000 students of UT Austin. The Assistant Technical Director works with the Technical Director and Lead Fabricator to manage projects and the daily operations of our Construction Studios as an essential member of the Fabrication Studios team. They will serve as Technical Director for assigned projects as well as support the training and development of students and staff as carpenters and Technical Directors. The Assistant Technical Director also takes on essential operational functions for the Fabrication Studios, including supervising an internal materials store, managing consumables, and leading students and staff in fabrication projects as well as load-in and strikes.

Requirements

• Diploma (High School) or GED.
• A strong background in theatrical drafting, production planning, budgeting, scenic carpentry, welding, rigging, and general theatrical practices.
• Ability to collaborate in a fast-paced environment in which priorities can change rapidly while facilitating efficient problem solving, creative thinking, and collaboration.
• Extensive experience with Vectorworks or other CAD drafting programs.
• Experience with CNC routers.
• Strong desire to work with students of many skill levels in learning scenic fabrication techniques and processes.
• Demonstrated experience supervising the work of others.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work at heights.
• Have demonstrated competencies in: Collaboration, Cost Estimation, Delegation, Effective Communication (written and spoken), Flexibility and Adaptability, Problem Solving.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience working in an academic setting with students.
• Teaching experience at the post secondary level.
• Experience using digital fabrication tools including but not limited to: 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters.
• Knowledge of task management applications such as Trello and Slack.
• Experience driving a variety of vehicles including a 16’ box truck.
• ETCP rigging certification.
• Supervisory experience with professional stagehand crews.
• Experience with ShopBot.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Technical Director on productions as assigned.
• Specify and purchase products and services necessary.
• Create estimates and track purchases and labor on assigned projects.
• Attend production meetings and technical rehearsals as needed.
• Execute scenic and special effects elements on productions and projects as assigned.
• Serve as Technical Designer and draft construction drawings for fabrication projects outside of the Academic Production season as assigned.
• Manage Fabrication Studios Internal Materials Store including purchasing, sales, and inventory tracking.
• Delegate and supervise fabrication, maintenance, installation and striking of production elements in venues, and planning tasks to students and employees in the Fabrication Studios.
• Allocate and monitor Fabrication Studios hardware and consumables budget; proactively ensure consumables are replenished when necessary.
• Maintain Fabrication Studios equipment including hand tools, bench tools, metalworking equipment, and digital fabrication tools.
• Maintain and manage project management software for Fabrication Studios.
• Safely load and drive university vehicles.
• Participate in hands-on technical and skill instruction in scenic construction and technical direction, including serving as instructor of record for relevant courses as assigned.
• Supervise and evaluate Teaching Assistants as assigned.
• Propose, plan, and participate in course residencies, guest lectures, workshops, and tours.
• Orient and direct daily activities of hourly hires in the construction studio.
• Investigate, assess, and participate in professional development opportunities and share or implement new learning within the Fabrication Studios.
• Consistently advance Texas Performing Arts’ goals of expansive and innovative programming, educational impact, and world class facilities & experiences across all defined responsibilities and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 7.75% employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED