Pace University

The Sands College of Performing Arts (Sands) is seeking an experienced Head Electrician to work in the theatrical and academic facilities of Sands, supporting production and classroom needs. The Head Electrician assists the Production Electrician and production staff in providing support for performance events, including faculty-directed curricular events, student events, mainstage productions, rental activities and summer programming, and to ensure all Sands theatrical facilities and equipment are maintained and operational.

The Head Electrician maintains a high level of support for the artistic production and academic goals of Sands and Pace, including mentoring students and providing an educationally sound, safe and satisfying experience for all theatre participants.

Position Duties

• Responsible for assistance in the maintenance and upkeep of Sands theatrical lighting, video and electrical equipment for all Sands venues and spaces, in coordination with the Production Electrician.
• Responsible for maintaining inventory of all electrical shop tools and equipment in a manner consistent with all safety regulations and company policies.
• Ensure the maintenance of a clean and safe electrics shop and venue environment.
• Assist the production staff, guest artists, student designers and student labor in the preparations, load-ins, focus, notes and strikes, which include plays, musicals, dance concerts, devised work and film production.
• Coordinate, plan, budget, maintain and implement all lighting needs in collaboration with Production Electrician.
• Work with student, faculty and guest designers to execute lighting designs and rental needs within a fixed budget.
• Determine the most efficient way to hang and focus lights from show to show.
• Purchase consumables (lamps, gel, fluids, etc) as necessary, with the designers and Production Electrician to suggest substitutions as appropriate.
• In collaboration with the designers, generate and maintain all necessary paperwork.
• Organize, coordinate, supervise and/or train all student stagehands as necessary, and provide guidance and feedback to students to promote academic success. This responsibility includes but is not limited to: electrical wiring practices, safety practices, hang and focus techniques, paperwork creation, console programming, networking, and team leadership.
• Organize, coordinate and supervise all department electrical crew calls, including instructional staff, overhires and union labor (when applicable).
• Manage all lighting budgets in collaboration with production management.
• Plan, research and engineer lighting practicals, special effects and special projects, in collaboration with student designers and technicians.
• Coordinate load-in, technical rehearsal notes, performance notes and strike so they are completed in a timely manner in coordination with the other production departments.
• Collaborate with fellow production shop heads to ensure efficient and safe day-to-day operations.
• Facilitate and manage the lighting, projection and video needs of summer programs and rentals.
• Must attend some night and weekend technical rehearsals and work calls.
• Performs other such duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Work Hours

This is a 12-month position (days and times vary depending on production calendar during the academic year). Work hours must be discussed with the Production Electrician and Director of Production.

• BS/BA/BFA in a fine arts program.
• At least three years of experience in technical theatre or a related field or equivalent experience with degree. Without the degree, eight years of experience may be considered.
• Strong interpersonal, supervisory and leadership skills.
• Prior professional or educational electrician theater experience in a light shop environment.
• Experience with technical theater equipment and maintenance including lighting, projection and video equipment.
• Experience with operating and programming EOS, Vectorworks, Lightwright, LED Fixtures, Moving Lights, QLab, and AVID software or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of fundamental rigging, theatrical electrics and theatrical video technologies.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Professional attitude toward customer service and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read and comprehend stage plots, electrical diagrams and light and sound plots.
• Experience working with and leading student and union stagehands in a University setting is a plus.
• OSHA-10 and OSHA-30 Certified is a plus.
• Willingness to learn new techniques and methods in a given field.
• Valid Driver’s License: ability to drive a cargo van is preferred.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs., comfortable working at heights (including on genie lifts, catwalks and gridirons), climb up and down ladders, and to work on their feet for extended periods of time.