Assistant Technical Director

Description

Job Highlights

The Assistant Technical Director assists with the management and implementation of technical operations for mainstage productions, special events, and other HGO-produced projects. As a member of the Technical/Production Department the Assistant Technical Director is committed to maintaining HGO’s high production standards for all company productions and events. 

Join Us!

We are looking for talented, passionate, dedicated people who are eager to make contributions to our community and our mission.

Concerned you do not meet every single requirement listed? Apply! We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job if they don’t think they meet 100% of the requirements.  At HGO, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.  So, if you’re excited about this position but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply!  You may be just the right candidate for this position or another role at HGO.

About the Houston Grand Opera

The mission of HGO is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera. We do so by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice.  HGO has received a Tony Award, two Grammy Awards, and three Emmy Awards – we are the only opera company in the world to win all three honors.

Our strategic focus is two-fold: creating profoundly enriching experiences for our diverse audiences and clearly defining and positively promoting the HGO brand.

We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all company members.  We believe every team member enriches our diversity by exposing a broad range of ways to understand and engage our community and discover, design, and deliver enriching experiences.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting salary for a candidate who meets the minimum requirements of the position is $50,000.00.  We offer robust benefits to full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive and affordable health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a high-deductible healthcare plan with an employer funded health savings account; a flexible savings account; an employee assistance program; and employer-paid life, short term disability and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off including vacation, wellness, parental leave, and scheduled and flexible holidays
• 403b retirement plan with employer match
• Professional development fund and opportunities
• Discounted parking in the Theater District garage and nearby lots plus easy access to Metro transportation
• Free tickets to our mainstage and community productions and events

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the technical aspects of assigned productions and projects each season: 

• Supervise and coordinate, with design teams, IATSE crew heads and other technical department managers, all aspects of the layout, scheduling, installation, and running of assigned shows.  
• Advise the Technical Director on scheduling, crewing, and construction cost savings. 
• Advise the Technical Director on all construction and rigging engineering. 
• Research, develop and advise on all materials, tools, hardware and special products. 
• Locate and advise on suitable subcontractors for technical construction projects. 
• Serve as one of the technical department contacts for directors and designers. 

• Write bid and construction specifications for assigned productions. 
• Acquire technical production information for assigned productions. 
• Establish and maintain archival records for assigned productions. 
• Serve on show duty for assigned productions. 

• Assist the Production Manager with local and out of town cartage for assigned projects. 
• Provide support on all Safety matters, setting a positive culture of safety within the working environment and ensuring a safe working environment in all company workspaces. 
• Provide technical support for all assigned HGO special projects: 

• Attend planning meetings for assigned events. 
• Plan and oversee all technical setups for assigned events and meetings. 

• Work closely with the other Production Department members, plan the maintenance and upkeep of all HGO tools, equipment, and facilities under the direct control of the Production Department: 

• Maintain a complete and up-to-date inventory. 
• Plan and manage preventative maintenance and appropriate documentation. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in theatre technology or three years professional technical theater experience. 
• Must be a collaborative team player, with effective verbal and written communication skills. 
• Experience supervising union crews strongly preferred.  
• Proficiency in current release of Vectorworks or AutoCAD and other software programs in current usage.  
• Experience in scenery construction, engineering, and theatrical rigging.  
• Understanding OSHA health and safety practices a plus. 
• Must be able to lift fifty pounds to waist level.  
• Availability for evening and weekend work required. 
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. 
• Ability to attain an OSHA 30 certification. 
• Ability to attain a forklift certification.   

Other Skills and Abilities

Candidate must be highly motivated, independent self-starter with ability to be a calming influence on all around. Must be able to manage multiple tasks and projects and have the ability to analyze problems and prioritize their resolution in terms of resources within artistic and financial parameters.  Must be able to speak in front of a crowd and communicate ideas and goals.  

Physical Demands

Work requires maximum exertion on a daily basis. Frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing, crawling, and/or heavy lifting represent normal work day activities. The job may require frequent lifting of objects weighing up to 75 pounds without assistance, and periodic lifting of heavier objects with or without assistance.

Equal Opportunity

Houston Grand Opera is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HGO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. HGO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. HGO encourages applicants of all ages.

Qualifications

Salary : $50,000