Assistant Staging and Rigging Supervisor

Job Details

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General Notes

This is a 30 hour per week, benefits eligible position. The position has an end date of 8/31/2025. Continuation of this position is contingent on continued funding and performance.

About Texas Performing Arts

(TPA) is the professional arts presenting and producing program of The University of Texas at Austin. One of the largest and most active university-based performing arts centers in the U.S., TPA is an anchor institution in Austin’s arts, cultural, and entertainment landscape. TPA operates venues on the UT campus including Austin’s largest theater, Bass Concert Hall. Its public programs include Broadway in Austin; an international season of dance, theater and music; and the Texas Welcomes series of popular artists. TPA is a unit of UT’s College of Fine Arts and engages students across the university in creative experiences. To learn more about Texas Performing Arts and this opportunity, please visit .

Why Join Texas Performing Arts?

UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package, including but not limited to:

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 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

For more details, please see: and

Purpose

The primary purpose of this position is to provide expert guidance and hands-on involvement in event production, ensuring the highest standards of proficiency, safety, and creative problem-solving are met. The role includes maintaining and managing theatrical staging and rigging equipment, collaborating with production teams, and overseeing architectural and environmental systems. This position will also contribute to the planning and management of events, ensuring that all technical aspects align with required specifications.

Responsibilities

Event Production: Advise, supervise, and participate in load-ins, set-ups, strikes, and load outs for assigned productions. As assigned, function as a staging and rigging system designer, department head, technician, programmer, or operator as required. Setup and operate staging/rigging equipment in ancillary spaces when required. Oversee architectural or environmental staging and rigging effects beyond the stage when required. Demonstrate a backstage work ethic of proficiency, safety, excellence, and creative problem-solving.

Facilities and Equipment: Maintain staging, rigging, soft goods, counterweight systems, lifting equipment, and stage elevator equipment and systems throughout the facility at peak operating levels, including acting as the lead on equipment and systems as assigned. Support the Staging & Rigging Supervisor to ensure that staging, rigging, soft goods, counterweight systems, lifting equipment, and stage elevator systems conform to required specifications.Regularly inspect and advise on system status and repair or maintenance needs. Evaluate and adopt new systems and technology throughout TPA’s operations. Maintain, track, and document changes to the equipment inventory and system information.

Planning and Management: As assigned, work in concert with other production department team members to create the highest level of production quality for all Texas Performing Arts events. Effectively and diplomatically coordinate with visiting productions, staff, and other stakeholders. Use departmental databases and other systems to effectively share planning, cost, and schedule information. Create and maintain clear and accurate schedules, paperwork, and plans for staging and rigging aspects of productions. Coordinate with vendors on the purchase or rental of equipment as necessary. Advise on the status of expendable supplies for the staging and rigging department. Obtain quotes and participate in bidding processes as assigned. Anticipate and proactively correct potential production conflicts and problems. Create, track, and reconcile lighting department and event budgets for assigned events. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of historical, current, and emerging industry practices.

Leadership and Training: Support the Staging & Rigging Supervisor in identifying, recruiting, training, supervising, and evaluating part-time staff and student personnel. Assist the Staging & Rigging Supervisor in the direction of labor vendor employees and other contractors. Maintain and directly contribute to a production culture of mentorship, experiential learning, and professional experience for students at UT and in the greater Austin area. Ensure compliance with university policies and procedures regarding students, employees, and contractors.

Required Qualifications

At least one (2) years of professional experience overseeing theatrical, concert, or event staging and rigging systems.

Experience with a wide range of types of live performance.

Experience leading the advance process for staging and rigging aspects of a production including scheduling, budgeting, equipment substitution, and staffing.

Experience with standard theatrical work rules and general conditions for professional stage crews. Managerial skill leading and motivating crew of various levels of experience

Demonstrated accomplishment in creating, implementing, repairing, maintaining and using staging and rigging system designs of high quality.

A demonstrated knowledge of staging and rigging systems, equipment, safety protocols, and best practices; including:

Counter weight fly systems

Rigging equipment and systems

Platforming systems

Chain hoist systems

Shaft driven lifting devices (pit lifts)

Tracked curtain systems

Personnel access equipment (personnel lifts, ladders, fall protection, etc.)

Standard theatrical knots

Computer skills: MS Office suite, CAD drafting programs, rigging calculation programs.

Demonstrated ability to operate fly systems for live events.

Effective Communications: Demonstrated understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Demonstrated understanding of the necessity and value of accuracy and attention to detail; ability to process information with high levels of accuracy.

Service Excellence: Demonstrated knowledge of customer service concepts and techniques; ability to meet or exceed customer needs and expectations and provide excellent service in a direct or indirect manner.

Problem Solving: Demonstrated knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to different situations

Preferred Qualifications

ETCP rigger certification (Theater and/or Arena).

OSHA 10 and/or OSHA 30 training.

More than the minimum required level of experience.

Experience working in a supervisory capacity.

Fluency in a language other than English.

Staging and rigging experience in an arts presenting organization; arts producing organization; university-based organization; or multi-venue performing arts organization.

Staging and rigging experience with international artists and productions.

Staging and rigging experience in an educational setting; experience in teaching, mentorship, or training roles; experience mentoring student employees.

Experience as a touring crew member for theatrical presentations.

Fluency in the use of advanced staging and rigging technology and commitment to adopting new technology.

Current fluency in all stage production disciplines.

Interest in and strong commitment to the mission and programs of Texas Performing Arts.

Familiarity with Texas Performing Arts venues.

Other relevant professional education or credentials.

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary

$45,000 (pro-rated from $60,000 at 30hr/week)

Working Conditions

This position is based in Austin, Texas. Under normal circumstances, this position may allow for occasional instances of remote work for administrative responsibilities.

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Prolonged screen time

Use of manual dexterity

Climbing of stairs and ladders, working at height

Pushing, pulling, lifting, and moving up to 50 lbs.

Work Shift

Evening, weekend, and holiday work, including “on-call” times, are required in connection with performances and events. Working shifts may include extended daily hours in connection with performances and events. Work will exceed 40 hours per week at peak times. This position is eligible for compensatory time.

Required Materials

Resume/CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Letter of interest

Work samples may be requested if applicant advances to the interview stage.

Important   for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:  You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:  As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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