Theatrical Head Carpenter/Rigger and Scene Shop Manager

Posting Details

Position Information

Fiscal Year
2024-2025

Position Title
Theatrical Head Carpenter/Rigger and Scene Shop Manager

Classification Title
Instructional Support Technician

Department
Center for the Arts

Posting Number
P250008

Posting Link https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/55008

Employer
State

Position Type

Professional Appointment Term
Term

Salary Grade
SL3

Posting Detail Information

Position Summary

The College of Arts and Sciences is seeking a Theatrical Head Carpenter/Rigger and Scene Shop Manager to work closely with the Center for the Arts ( CFA ) and Department of Theatre and Dance . In this critical role you will execute technical and safety aspects of performances and events. This position focuses on day-of-show rigging, fly operation duties, and leading crews, including touring production personnel, to ensure production work is performed safely and in accordance with industry standards. The individual ensures the safety and readiness of theaters and stage equipment, following proper rigging and staging practices. You will also supervise the stage running crew, ensuring that their tasks are completed efficiently and safely. Additionally, the role involves mentoring students in technical theater skills and providing mentorship support to the Theatre and Dance department for academic productions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing rigging and staging for events, enforcing university and industry policies, overseeing theatrical systems and equipment, ensuring venue safety, and coordinating staging.
• Serve as an ETCP -certified rigger, performing rigging, fly and rail operation duties, while assisting with carpentry, welding, and electrical tasks, following industry safety standards.
• Ensure the safety and operational readiness of stage equipment and rigging systems through routine inspections, maintenance, repairs, and installations, following safety protocols under the supervision of the Technical Director.
• Supervise and coordinate the usage and scheduling of the scene shop and maintain in complete operational readiness. This includes performing routine maintenance and repairs, installations, ordering of equipment and supplies and maintaining inventory necessary for daily scene shop operation.
• Supervise and train professional and student crews in the scene shop to ensure adherence to established safety procedures and the appropriate use of tools, equipment, and materials.
• Manage scene shop, production, and equipment budgets as designated which includes: order, track, and maintain shop materials (lumber, hardware, etc.), track and reconcile credit card purchases.

Buffalo, NY is a vibrant arts and cultural center that includes over twenty theatres, several professional and community dance companies, and numerous art galleries. It is home to well-known cultural organizations including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Ujima Theatre Company, ArtPark, Squeaky Wheel Media Arts Center Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, African American Cultural Center, Just Buffalo Literary Center, Burchfield Penney Art Center and more. Buffalo is centrally located, with easy access to major metropolitan hubs in the Northeast including New York City, Boston, Chicago, Toronto and Montreal. Located on Lake Erie, just south of Niagara Falls, Buffalo’s surrounding natural areas, state parks, beaches, rivers, and ski areas provide abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure.

Outstanding Benefits Package
Working at UB comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards including comprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also focus on creating and sustaining a healthy mix of work, personal and academic pursuit – all in an effort to support your work-life effectiveness. We support your growth and development through our career coaching and training department and we qualify as a public service loan forgiveness organization. Learn more about our benefit packages .

About The University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America’s leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home, UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others every day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo .

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in technical theater or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirement.
• Minimum two years of professional stage carpentry, rigging, set construction/scenic engineering, scene shop supervision, theatrical technical direction or equivalent experience in presenting touring theatrical, corporate, or concert events.
• Proven ability to perform technical tasks (rigging, fly/rail operation, carpentry, welding, and electrical) with a focus on safety.
• Strong knowledge of technical theater, live event and touring production, and current safety practices in the entertainment industry.
• Excellent communication, supervisory, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage diverse teams while maintaining safe work environments.
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment and delivering excellent customer service.
• Experience in training junior staff or instructing in an educational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in technical theater or a related field.
• Advanced safety certifications (e.g., OSHA -30, ETCP -certified Rigger (Theater)
• Experience leading professional and student crews in a multi-venue or academic environment.
• Familiarity with CAD software (e.g., Vectorworks) for rigging and production design.
• Experience in fall protection, lockout/tagout procedures, and operating mobile elevated work platforms
• Demonstrated educational expertise, working with diverse populations and pedagogical approaches.
• Experience working in higher education.

Physical Demands

• Ability to move 50 pounds, work at heights (including truss walking, weight loading, and up-rigging), and operate mobile elevated work platforms safely.
• Flexible schedule, including availability for nights, weekends, and long production shifts.
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment and delivering excellent customer service.

Salary Range
$55,200 - $58,000

Additional Salary Information

Type
Full-Time

Campus
North Campus

Posting Alerts

Special Instructions Summary

All application materials should be submitted via UB Jobs. Application materials submitted directly to the posting contact will not be acknowledged and cannot be considered.

Additional Information

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

Is a background check required for this posting?
Yes

Background Check Notification
For non-internal applicants: a selected candidate will have to complete and pass a background check prior to appointment.

Contact Information

Contact's Name
Nicole Hayden

Contact's Pronouns
she/her/hers

Contact's Title
HR Specialist

Contact's Email
nhayden@buffalo.edu

Contact's Phone
716-645-0729

Posting Dates

Posted
01/06/2025

Deadline for Internal Applicants
01/20/2025

Deadline for External Applicants
02/04/2025

Date to be filled
02/27/2025

References

Number of References Required
3

Reference Cutoff Date

Instructions to Applicant

For more information, click the "How to Apply" button.