Technical Director

Posting Number: SHRA1725P

Classification Title: Arts Production Specialist

Competency Level: Advanced

Working Title: Technical Director - #132735

Department: School of Stage & Screen

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being subject to the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (SHRA). Anticipated begin date is July 1, 2027. The Technical Director serves the School of Stage and Screen and supports the planning, budgeting, coordination, and execution of scenic construction for theatre and film productions. The position works collaboratively with faculty technical theatre specialists, production staff, and student crews to support the School's educational and production mission. This position provides day-to-day coordination of scene shop operations, student employees, scenic construction, and related production activities. The Technical Director collaborates with faculty responsible for other production areas, including film production, and assists with the upkeep and organization of theatre and production spaces. The position also supports safe working practices, provides student guidance, and helps develop efficient production workflows. This position requires the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work includes hands‑on scenic construction, installation, strike, tool and equipment use, loading, unloading, and movement of scenic materials and production supplies in shop, stage, theatre, loading, and related production environments. The School values creative problem solving, collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to learn and apply new production technologies and methods in support of student learning and production quality. The School of Stage and Screen at Western Carolina University serves approximately 180 students across five degree tracks and a dance minor. The School offers a BFA in Theatre with concentrations in Musical Theatre, Acting for Stage and Screen, and Entertainment Design and Technology; a BA in Stage and Screen; and a BFA in Film and Television Production. Its experiential curriculum emphasizes storytelling across all degree tracks and includes opportunities to support musicians, plays, a web series, and an annual film festival featuring student-produced films. Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship. All new hires into positions subject to the State Human Resources Act (SHRA) will serve a 12 month probationary period as defined by the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR). Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position Scenic construction, technical drawings, and shop practices: Knowledge of construction methods, materials, theatrical production practices, shop operations, and technical documentation, with the ability to build scenery accurately from drawings and construction documents. Safety, rigging, equipment, and production technology: Knowledge of theatrical rigging, shop safety practices, safe equipment operation, and emerging production technologies. Physical production work and safe material handling: Ability to perform physically active production work, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, kneeling, crouching, grasping, and maneuvering scenic materials, tools, equipment, and supplies in shop, stage, theatre, and related production environments while following established safety practices. Training, communication, and work coordination: Ability to train and guide student employees and production crews; communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students; organize assigned work; balance competing production needs; and support efficient production workflows. Resourcefulness, problem solving, and materials logistics: Ability to identify practical solutions to production challenges; obtain materials, equipment, and supplies through vendors and salvage resources; maintain a valid driver's license; and operate university vehicles, including a 14-foot box truck, to transport materials throughout the region as required.

Minimum Qualifications: Some state job postings say you can qualify by an 'equivalent combination of education and experience.' If that language appears below, then you may qualify through either years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. Bachelor's degree, preferably in theatre arts, and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Anticipated Hiring Range $55,204 Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours per Week 40 Number of Months per Year 12 Salary Band Range $39,000 - $67,831