Practical Effects Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

POSITION OVERVIEW

Join a growth-oriented, collaborative learning community committed to developing the whole person for college and life. Westminster hires and retains passionate, talented, diverse educators like you to prepare our students to be lifelong learners, well-equipped to address local and global challenges. Westminster excels regionally and nationally in every area of school life, from academics to the arts and athletics, achieving excellence through a wide range of programming - and we need you to help us!

The Assistant Technical Director (ATD) will help support the technical needs of six or more theatrical productions and multiple concerts annually within our Broyles Performing Arts Center. Working with the Technical Director, the ATD helps build productions, maintain theater spaces (prop loft, costume areas, storage areas, sound booth, lighting booth, backstage, Green Room, dressing rooms, etc.), and helps to manage theatrical equipment. In a typical production, the most common role of the ATD is carpentry and scenic construction.

Supervisor: Director of Performing Arts

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Position Status: Part-time, Hourly, Non-exempt

Hours of Work: Typical hours are 20 hours/week during the middle weeks of our 6 theatrical productions, or approximately 180 hours across an academic year.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a successful candidate.

Education & Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of technical scenic construction, with experience in other departments highly valued (props, paint, audio, lighting, wardrobe).

Skills & Competencies:

• Fully familiar and competent in the safe operations of standard carpentry and metalworking equipment and tools.
• Familiarity with theatrical systems (sound consoles, lighting networks, rigging, costume prep, props/scenic construction).
• Strong organizational and documentation skills, with the ability to manage inventories and maintenance logs.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues efficiently.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interpret and follow instructions.
• Knowledge of safety standards and best practices in theater production.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working with the TD, fully builds, installs, and strikes all scenic elements of the six (6) main-stage productions.
• Assists with prepping, cleaning, and repairing equipment (audio systems, lighting fixtures, comms, costume pieces, props).
• Oversees setup, sourcing, and construction of practical effects, props, and scenic elements.
• Documents, inventories, and tracks expendables, equipment, and show-specific materials.
• Provides skilled technical assistance during shows, including frequency checks, equipment repairs, backstage support, and live troubleshooting.
• Helps ensure that production elements (audio, lighting, costumes, props) function properly before and during each performance.
• Assists in restoring rep plots, organizing workspaces, and implementing long-term maintenance schedules.
• Aids with inventory management projects, including cataloging and documentation.
• Oversees deep maintenance and repair of technical systems and equipment.
• Collaborates with the Technical Director to ensure safety and best practices in all technical areas.
• Serves as another secondary point of contact for staff, students, and guest artists on technical needs.
• Supports ongoing system improvements and upgrades across all departments (audio, lighting, costumes, props, scenery).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, and feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch; crawl; talk and hear; and engage in moderately strenuous physical activity both indoors and outdoors. Comfort working on ladders, personnel lifts, catwalks, and other standard theatrical equipment at moderate heights is essential.

The employee must be able to safely lift, carry, push, or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. A normal sense of smell is also required to identify potential safety hazards. The employee must be able to obtain and maintain certification in CPR, AED, First Aid, and the proper use of portable fire extinguishers and basic fire safety procedures.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions and frequently walks on slippery or uneven surfaces. The position requires working in confined spaces, climbing ladders, operating lifts, moving equipment, and responding appropriately to emergency situations, including assisting with fire safety and life-safety procedures. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.

Westminster is a drug-free, smoke/vape-free campus.

TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local during the regular business day. This position may require driving a Westminster vehicle.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Westminster is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment. It is Westminster's policy to provide equal employment opportunities and administer terms and conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran under applicable federal, state, and local laws. EOE/M/F/D/V.