TIP Shop Foreman

Job Description: The Shop Foreman position is a year-round part-time partial plus (39 hours per week) position and includes vacation/sick time, health insurance, vision/dental insurance. The Shop Foreman serves as chief carpenter and fabricator who is responsible for overseeing the theatrical scene shop day-to-day operations at two performance venues, ensuring the safe, efficient, and timely construction of sets, and scenic elements for TIP productions and events. This position requires strong leadership, extensive knowledge of scenic construction, and the ability to collaborate closely with designers, technical staff, and production teams to deliver high-quality theatrical environments. The Shop Foreman reports directly to the TIP Technical Director and provides supervision, mentorship, and training to seasonal scene shop staff. Lead Scene Shop Operations : Supervise shop staff, including carpenters, painters, and other crew members. Ensure the proper execution of design elements based on technical drawings and production requirements. Maintain organization of the shop, storage, stage and backstage areas. Set Construction : Responsible for the construction, assembly, and finishing of scenic elements for productions, ensuring all builds meet the required quality standards, safety standards and deadlines. Safety & Compliance : Enforce safety protocols and ensure a safe working environment for all shop personnel. Ensure that all equipment is maintained and operated according to safety regulations. Inventory & Material Management : Maintain accurate inventory of materials, tools, and equipment. Coordinate with the Technical Director to ensure timely delivery of necessary resources. Collaboration with Design Team : Work closely with the Technical Director, Designers, and Production teams to ensure scenic designs are executed accurately. Provide input on the feasibility of designs and suggest cost-effective or practical alternatives when needed. Budget & Time Management : Assist in managing the scene shop’s budget, tracking expenses, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Quality Control : Inspect finished scenic elements to ensure they meet the required aesthetic, functional, and safety standards. Training & Mentorship : Provide guidance and training to seasonal staff and volunteers, helping them develop their skills and understanding of the craft. Maintenance & Repair : Oversee the maintenance and repair of tools and equipment in the shop, ensuring they are in good working condition. Special Events : Assist Technical Director as advisor and support for technical elements at other Culture and JCPRD wide events and locations.

Technical Skills: Proficient in woodworking, scenic painting, welding, and basic rigging techniques. Experience with power tools, hand tools, and scenic construction materials (wood, metal, fabrics, etc.). Familiarity with CAD software and interpreting technical drawings. Leadership & Communication: Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and motivate a team. Excellent verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with production staff and designers. Problem-Solving & Creativity. Ability to troubleshoot construction issues and make adjustments in real time. Creative thinking and the ability to offer practical solutions to meet design needs.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to lift and move heavy materials both ground level and overhead (up to 50lbs). Must be comfortable with heights: working from ladders and scaffolding. Ability to work evening and weekend hours to match the needs of the operation. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and in various conditions (dust, noise, heights, and inclement weather). Ability to stand, bend, and kneel for extended periods. Attendance and Work Schedule The Shop Foreman position requires an average of 39 hours per week. Maintaining a regular, dependable work schedule is an essential responsibility of the position. The Shop Foreman must ordinarily be present when scenic crews are scheduled in order to supervise attendance, assignments, productivity, safety, and quality control. Time outside of scheduled crew hours must also be used effectively for independent construction, preparation, planning, organization, and other work necessary to keep the production moving forward. TIP recognizes that illness, emergencies, and other unavoidable circumstances may occasionally prevent an employee from being at work. Employees who are ill should not report to work when doing so would be unsafe or could expose others to illness. When an absence is necessary, the Shop Foreman is expected to notify the TD as soon as possible and provide enough information for work assignments, crew supervision, and production needs to be addressed. Occasional necessary absences are understandable. However, they should remain the exception rather than become a recurring pattern that interferes with crew supervision, scenic progress, or production deadlines. Consistent attendance, timely communication, and active supervision are critical. The Shop Foreman is responsible for helping ensure that production requirements are met and that scenic work is fully completed by the established deadlines JCPRD requires reference/background screening for all positions. Specified criteria may vary by Department.