Lighting and Media Manager

Amherst College


Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Lighting and Media Manager position. The Lighting and Media Manager is a full-time, ten-month (academic year) position, starting at $62,000 - commensurate with experience. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the w ays in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

The Lighting and Media Manager implements all technical aspects of lighting, sound, and video/projection designs for the Department of Theater and Dance; provides supervision and training of a diverse group of student work crews; and maintains the department's lighting, sound, and media equipment and technology. In addition, the Lighting and Media manager collaborates closely with department staff and faculty in the development of the academic production schedule, aids in the development and implementation of specific project guidelines in support of the curricular needs of the department, and works collaboratively toward an inclusive environment. As part of the department's production staff, the role also includes participation in other team-related work activities as needed, and ensures best safety practices across all work and supervisory activities. Depending on qualifications, the Lighting and Media Manager may also provide lighting, sound, and/or video design for a limited number of projects each year.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

As a master electrician, responsibilities include:

• Maintain and repair all lighting fixtures, cables, effects, power distribution, dimmers, networking, and lighting control consoles
• Organize and purchase all electrics-related consumables including color gel, gobos, etc.
• Plan and implement the cabling (circuiting) of lights and electric power distribution
• Document and track all circuiting, addressing, and system configuration in cooperation with lighting designer(s)
• Program patch assignments of the control console based on the paperwork generated by lighting designer(s) and the planned circuiting
• Train and supervise a diverse group of students in best practices of theatrical lighting, including hanging, focus, and programming, while working towards an inclusive environment
• Implement best practices for occupational health and safety of student and staff workers
• Strike and restore of equipment between projects as needed
• Depending on departmental needs and qualifications, design lighting for a limited number of projects each year

As audio and video/projection technician and media manager, responsibilities include:

• Maintain and repair all sound and video equipment, cables, consoles, accessories, and dedicated computer hardware and software
• Ensure timely collaboration/creation and/or procurement, and effective organization of all sound and video media as needed for production, in collaboration with designer(s) and director(s)/choreographer(s)
• Plan, implement, and troubleshoot the installation of sound and video equipment in cooperation with the sound and/or projection designer(s)
• Document systems configurations in cooperation with designer(s)
• Train and supervise students in best practices of sound and video design implementation
• Implement best practices for occupational health and safety of students and staff workers Striking and restoration of equipment between projects as needed
• Videograph archival recordings of departmental events
• Maintain archive of media resources, including production resources and archival videos
• Depending on departmental needs and qualifications, design sound and/or projections for a limited number of projects each year

General staff responsibilities

• Attend department and production meetings as required
• Attend technical and dress rehearsals as required (some evenings and weekends)
• Maintain shops and theater facilities
• Co-plan production season schedules and logistics
• Co-plan equipment upgrades and purchases to maintain current industry standards in lighting, sound, and video projection

Qualifications

Required:

• B.A. or B.F.A. in theater with a concentration in lighting design
• 3-5 years of hands-on experience in a professional theater environment
• Proficient in computer-aided drafting and lighting specific software; hanging, cabling and rigging of lighting and electrical instruments; operation of lighting control computers/systems, specifically ETC dimmer systems; audio equipment and component-based systems design, audio input and output quality control; audio playback software (QLab or similar); and video projection equipment, control, and media technology
• Knowledge of current state-of-the-art lighting, audio, and video equipment, technology, and practices
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, time management, and decision-making skills
• Availability to work evenings and weekends during technical rehearsal and performance periods
• Demonstrated ability to work pro-actively and independently, as well as collaboratively
• Knowledge of theatrical safety protocols
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical and lift test

Preferred:

• M.F.A. in lighting design and/or sound design
• Valid driver's license to drive college vehicles when necessary. Requires successful completion of Five College Risk Management driver credentialing program.
  (See: Driver Safety | FCI )
• Experience working in a teaching environment
• Knowledge of basic rigging and scenic construction
• Experience with scene shop power tools
• Knowledge and skill in using sound editing software and video output software

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Amherst College requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (medical and religious exemptions may apply).

Interestedcandidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs . Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Career icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

To find information about job group and level (JGL) follow this link.

PI184442479