Head of Electrics

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ASSOCIATION•San Francisco, CA

11d•$64 - $64•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Managing Director of Production, the Head of Electrics leads San Francisco Opera Association’s Electrics Department and oversees its successful operations. The position requires broad technical expertise in theatrical lighting, projections and video, and special effects within a repertory performing arts environment, together with strong team-building, personnel-management, planning and communication skills. The Head of Electrics fosters positive working relationships with guest designers, creative teams, company members and other departments, and maintains high production standards while setting a positive, professional tone. The role is responsible for season preparation, load-ins, technical and staging rehearsals, performances and load-outs for new productions and revivals, as well as other projects requiring lighting, projections or set electrics under the SFOA–IATSE Local 16 Collective Bargaining Agreement. It includes collaborating with production and technical leadership, planning and coordinating crews and schedules, managing department payroll, budgets, equipment and materials, documenting productions, and coordinating rentals and vendors. The Head of Electrics also maintains workplace safety and regulatory compliance and organizes and tracks required staff training. Work is onsite at the War Memorial Opera House and at other venues, scene shops and warehouses. Environments may be indoors or outdoors, with temperatures and noise levels typical of stages, electrics shops, scene shops and warehouses.

Requirements

Must be a full member of IATSE Local 16 or willing to join.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent work experience.
ETCP certification.
Ability to work weekends and evenings as needed.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects effectively in a large-scale repertory performing arts organization.
Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact professionally, confidentially, clearly and tactfully with staff.
Strong stage acumen and ability to manage team members while supporting productivity and efficiency.
Experience managing budgets and quality control while balancing costs and maintaining standards.
Practical working knowledge of Excel, Word, Outlook, Photoshop, Vectorworks, Lightwright, Google Suite, QuickBase and other data-management applications.
Experience operating ETC lighting consoles and other DMX control devices, Strand dimmers, Johnson Controls, Luminex networking and wireless dimming controls.
Knowledge of networking practices and equipment.
Familiarity with ETC lighting devices, Arri HMI equipment, Elation moving lights, Licht Technik equipment, Vari-Lites, LED fixtures and other lighting equipment.
Knowledge of video projectors, lenses, control systems and servers such as MBOX, WATCHOUT and Disguise.
General first aid training and familiarity with stage emergency protocols.

Nice To Haves

Eight or more years of staff supervision is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the Electrics Department and oversee its operations.
Work closely with the Managing Director of Production, Resident Lighting Director, Lighting Department and Technical Department; advise on departmental best practices and operations.
Attend planning, budget, production and design meetings, weekly Heads of Department meetings, and other required meetings during the season and off-season.
Organize and delegate team members’ work for assigned productions and projects, fostering collaboration across departments.
Maintain positive communication and working relationships with IATSE Local 16’s Business Agent and Stewards.
Prepare for and oversee load-ins, technical and staging rehearsals, performances and load-outs for productions and other covered projects.
Maintain workplace safety standards and ensure compliance with applicable safety, hazardous-material, hazardous-waste and recycling requirements.
Manage and submit Electrics Department payroll in accordance with SFOA rules and the current IATSE Local 16 contract.
Track, document and archive productions and remounts in digital and hard-copy formats.
Plan crew sizes, required skills, timelines and budgets; schedule crews efficiently across venues and coordinate project flow and venue requirements.
Create estimates and material lists in collaboration with the Production Administrative team as needed.
Order rentals and materials, coordinate shipments, track rentals and deliveries, and maintain relationships with local vendors.
Maintain inventories of equipment, tools and supplies across multiple venues and locations, and research relevant equipment.
Manage team performance, budgets and quality control while maintaining a positive, professional and productive environment.
Organize and track required employee training, including console and software, fall protection, forklift, first aid, safety and HR training.