Job Description : Theatre Technician Salary Scale : LIPA scale 4-6 Responsible To : Production Manager Responsible For : Supervising students, temporary /casual and event staff Date Revised : 23 June 2008 (backdated to 1 September 2007) : 1 September 2010 MAJOR TASKS 1. To provide technical support for rehearsals, productions, projects and events. 2. To maintain a safe and secure workplace. 3. To undertake the proper maintenance, storage and distribution of equipment and materials. 4. To assist in the financial management of the productions department. 5. To abide by the health and safety policies of LIPA. 6. To supervise students working in the technical and production areas. 7. To support students in achieving their learning goals. 8. To undertake duties common to all LIPA Production Staff. 9. To act as Duty Technician during events and public performances. 10. To deputise, as and when required, for the Production Manager. Theatre Technician Page 1 of 10
JOB ACTIVITIS MAJOR TASK 1 Provide Technical Support 1.1 To assist and advise students and staff on the correct, safe use of tools and equipment in line with best practice and, when necessary, to provide practical demonstrations. 1.2 To provide technical support in the areas of lighting, rigging, flying and project/stage management for rehearsals, productions, events and teaching sessions within LIPA or related to LIPA. 1.3 To operate technical equipment for rehearsals, performances and events. 1.4 To advise students and staff on the correct use of equipment in line with best practice and, when necessary, to provide practical demonstrations. 1.5 To instruct students in the use of specialised stage, lighting and control equipment. 1.6 To instruct students in the application of best practice techniques within the performance spaces. 1.7 To perform, in conjunction with students, appropriate fault finding and diagnostic procedures as required. 1.8 To undertake practical work in relation to get-ins, fit-ups, strikes & get-outs including the assembly, rigging, adjustment and use of scenery, props, rigging and lifting equipment, lighting equipment, special effects and sound equipment. 1.9 To prepare plans and schedules, as may be required, in relation to fitting up and rigging of technical equipment. 1.10 As required, to undertake the design of lighting and special effects for specific LIPA productions and events. 1.11 As required, to assist with the manufacture, painting, moving and storage of scenery, props and special effects. MAJOR TASK 2 Maintenance of a safe and secure workplace 2.1 To ensure that the production and technical areas of LIPA are kept clean, tidy and secure in accordance with LIPA health and safety regulations and the directions of the Production Manager. 2.2 To assist in maintaining a schedule of planned activities to ensure the production and technical areas are available in respect of each activity. 2.3 To maintain and upgrade the facilities of the production and technical areas of LIPA as required Theatre Technician Page 2 of 10
MAJOR TASK 3 Maintenance, storage and distribution of equipment and materials 3.1 To undertake regular and proper maintenance, inspection and, where appropriate, testing of production technical equipment in order to ensure that they are working correctly and safely and are available to meet the demands of the curriculum, productions and events. 3.2 To assist the workshops and wardrobe staff with the maintenance and inspection of workshop equipment and facilities. 3.3 To ensure that production technical equipment is itemised and recorded in accordance with the LIPA stock control procedures. 3.4 To maintain records of materials and material usage following production department procedures. 3.5 To follow the procedures relating to the reservation, issue, loan and hire of LIPA tools and equipment. 3.6 To order materials, tools and other relevant equipment following procedures determined by the Production Manager. 3.7 Carry out front-line fault assessment and repair on equipment. 3.8 nsure all equipment is kept current with industry standard, and that manufacturers updates are followed. MAJOR TASK 4 Financial Management 4.1 As required, to assist in the preparation and maintenance of estimates and budgets of production department operations. 4.2 To abide by the financial regulations and keep financial records for materials and equipment as directed by the Production Manager. MAJOR TASK 5 Health and Safety 5.1 To ensure that local, national and LIPA Health and Safety regulations are implemented within area of responsibility. 5.2 To advise students and staff on appropriate health and safety issues. 5.3 To use facilities and equipment and to carry out work activities in accordance with the information, instructions and training provided by LIPA and information supplied by equipment manufactures or suppliers. 5.4 To co-operate with the management of LIPA in meeting their health and safety obligations. Theatre Technician Page 3 of 10
5.5. To ensure all specialist electrical equipment is correctly shut down at the completion of each working day. 5.6 To ensure that all potential hazards are made safe immediately or if appropriate at the completion of each working day. 5.7 To ensure that venues are left tidy and appropriately secured at the end of each working day. MAJOR TASK 6 Supervision of Students 6.1 To supervise students when they are working in the production and technical areas of LIPA and to ensure that they carry out their work in a safe manner in accordance with LIPA procedures and industry best practice. 6.2 As required to assess and test the competence of students/trainees in the workplace. 6.3 To ensure that all rigging work is inspected and completed before use, and before allowing public access to the area. 6.4 To ensure that all student electrical work is suitably inspected before use. 6.5 To ensure that all students provide appropriate and accurate plans and schedules before commencing work, including loading calculations. 6.6 To ensure schedules are followed as accurately as possible, ensuring that rest periods and meal breaks are observed. 6.7 To ensure that Security are informed of students working outside of regular hours and that such students are aware of their responsibilities. MAJOR TASK 7 Learning Support 7.1 As required to provide technical support and to prepare technical facilities for teaching sessions. 7.2 To carry out demonstrations during teaching sessions under the guidance of academic staff. 7.3 Provide advice and assistance for students and staff. 7.4 Provide individual, or small group instruction on specialised LIPA equipment as required. 7.5 Provide instruction and guidance in appropriate procedures for fault-finding, in order to support the students individual learning experience. 7.6 Provide instruction and guidance on the use of proper procedures in scheduling and planning. Theatre Technician Page 4 of 10
MAJOR TASK 8 Common Production Staff Duties 8.1 To assist with the day-to-day operations of the Productions Department. 8.2 To undertake the supervision of individual projects and events as directed by the Production Manager. 8.3 To take an active part during get-ins, fit-ups, strikes and get-outs in LIPA venues and of LIPA productions and projects at off-site venues. 8.4 To attend Production meetings as required and to assist in the planning of LIPA activities. 8.5 To work flexibly, including contributing to LIPA work projects of a general nature, and providing cover for other technicians. 8.6 To participate, as required, in staff appraisals and training programmes. 8.7 To carry out duties at all times with due regard to qual Opportunities, Health and Safety and other Institute policies as agreed and revised from time to time. MAJOR TASK 9 Duty Technician 9.1 To provide a point of contact for any technical issues that may arise during a performance or event. 9.2 To perform any practicable repairs and adjustments as may be required to ensure the continuation of the performance or event. 9.3 To ensure that the performance venue and associated backstage areas including dressing rooms and corridors are safe and tidy before hand-over to the Front of House Manager and admission of the public. 9.4 To assist the Front of House Manager in admitting the public to the venues, and in clearing the venues at the completion of performances. 9.5 To ensure that any activities, during performances, identified as especially hazardous are suitably supervised. 9.6 During public events, to co-operate with the Fire Officer and the FOH Manager: a) In ensuring all public areas of the premises are kept safe b) Taking reasonable steps of ensuring the safety, comfort and security of the public c) Taking such steps as may be required to investigate and manage any fire hazard, alarm or similar incident. 9.7 In conjunction with the duty Security Officer, ensure that all non-public areas of the building are appropriately secured before admitting the public. 9.8 During performances and events, to provide cover, as required, for the duty Security Officer or Fire Officer. Theatre Technician Page 5 of 10
9.9 To undertake training as necessary within the building which include security, heating, fire alarm, public address and ventilation systems. 9.10 To ensure that the performance venues and associated spaces, are made safe and when required, secured as soon as practicably possible after the completion of the performance or event. MAJOR TASK 10 Deputise For Production Manager 10.1 To provide a point of contact, in the absence of the Production Manager, for inquiries relating to the production spaces and production equipment. 10.2 As required by line management, to attend any and such meetings with external companies as required. 10.3 As required by line management, to attend any and such meetings within LIPA as required. 10.4 As required by line management, to act as Production Manager - or technical manager for LIPA and external events. 10.5 To ensure that all persons employed, as casuals, for the technical support of events and performances are competent, and aware of LIPA procedures and policies. 10.6 To ensure that the hours of all persons employed as casuals, for events and performances, are managed and recorded and that appropriate documentation is provided on completion of the event. 10.7 To ensure that all LIPA policies relating to performances and the use of performance spaces are followed. NOTS The particular duties and responsibilities attached to posts are, of necessity, somewhat difficult of detailed definition, and may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Changes outside this description will only be made after consultation with the object of reaching agreement with the person concerned, and will be recorded on the individual s job description. If however after consultation, the person concerned is not in agreement with the proposed change, then they would be able to use the grievance procedure. LOCATION The job is initially located on LIPA s main site. However, it may be that from time to time the post holder will be required to work on different duties, or in any other jobs, within his / her competence, such jobs being in his / her present or any other location as may be deemed appropriate. In all cases regard will be paid to the qualifications, experience, current duties and responsibilities and personal circumstances of the post holder. Theatre Technician Page 6 of 10
HOURS OF WORK An average of 37.5 hrs per week, including regular evening work, unsociable hours and occasional working after midnight. Additional hours, including work on a Saturday and Sunday, will be required during term time. xcess hours and hours worked on a Saturday are taken as time off in lieu (based on flat time) at times to suit operational needs (normally during institute holidays). Sunday and Bank Holiday working may be required from time to time and is subject to remuneration policies detailed in the Staff Handbook. The precise distribution of hours to be determined in consultation with the Production Manager. Theatre Technician Page 7 of 10
Person Specification for the Post of Theatre Technician QUALIFICATIONS: () = ssential (D) = Desirable Identified by Form or A Relevant qualification AND Minimum of 2 years professional experience as a performing arts technician. XPRINC: Rigging, adjustment and operation of theatrical lighting equipment, power distribution and control systems. Rigging, adjustment and operation of special effects and video equipment. Setting up, adjustment and operation of theatrical rigging and flying systems. Setting up and rigging of scenery and stage decking systems. Routine maintenance inspection and testing of theatre technical equipment. Portable electrical appliance testing. D Setting up, adjustment and operation of theatre sound and communications systems and equipment. Setting up, adjustment and operation of intelligent lighting equipment D Lighting Design work. D Stage Management work. D Basic set construction and scene painting. D Previous work within a student environment. D Theatre Technician Page 8 of 10
KNOWLDG, SKILLS & ABILITY: Possession of interpersonal skills of a high order, with the ability to demonstrate to others in a clear and effective manner Knowledge of electrical theory and practice relating to theatre lighting, sound and communications systems. Knowledge of the theory and practice of theatrical rigging and flying systems (including basic rigging knots). Knowledge of the theory and practice of scenery and stage decking rigging and installation. Knowledge of Health and Safety regulation and practice relating to a producing theatre environment. Knowledge of the theory and practice of basic scenery construction. D, Task/Demonst ration Knowledge of basic scene painting. D Knowledge of stage management duties within a variety of environments. Knowledge of the setting-up, adjustment and operation of theatre sound systems and equipment. Knowledge of the setting-up, adjustment and operation communications systems. Ability to undertake maintenance, inspection and testing of theatre technical equipment. Ability to use a wide range of portable power tools and hand tools safely and confidently. D D D Ability to organise stores and equipment. Ability to work safely and confidently at heights. Ability and willingness to work unsupervised and on own initiative. Ability to work flexible and unsociable hours COMMITMNT: To qual Opportunities policies and practice. To a high level of service to users. To students and the learning experience. To enthusiasm and flexibility. Theatre Technician Page 9 of 10
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