Technical Director - Viterbo University

Viterbo University is searching for a multi-faceted theatre technician with strong organizational and people skills to join our event staff of the Fine Arts Center (FAC). This full-time, salaried position will find you working on a range of projects including live shows and events produced on campus and a variety of touring productions presented in the FAC, across campus, and at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts in downtown La Crosse.

This position is part of a five-member team supporting the Fine Arts Center's 50-year strong presenting series. The main area of focus is coordinating and executing the production requirements for FAC performances and events. Participates in advance conversations and serves as a point of contact for touring, vendor and event production crews. Helps identify problems and recommends solutions for all production-related systems and processes. Helps plan and oversee maintenance of production equipment. Serves as an administrative liaison and lead labor scheduler with local crew, and shares responsibility for training stagehands in the proper use and handling of FAC-owned equipment.

A successful candidate will have broad knowledge and skills as a lighting technician and theatrical rigging. Additionally, comprehensive knowledge and skills in the maintenance and operation of counterweight fly systems, automated hoists, and fall protection equipment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead electricians and stagehands in the preparation, installation, operation, and maintenance of performance lighting equipment including incandescent, LED, and moving head fixtures, follow spots, and atmospherics. Serve as master electrician, programmer/board operator, or basic lighting designer to meet production requirements.
• Manage and complete projects including the review of show riders, light plots, lighting paperwork, crew calls, and various other reports and correspondence. Evaluate incoming light plots, advance lighting requirements, and communicate production needs with the production team and touring personnel.
• Manage and maintain repertory light plots including hang, circuiting, focus, show file maintenance, and adjust and restore lighting as needed for performances and events.
• Manage and maintain the rigging and counterweight fly system for all Fine Arts Center operations. To include maintenance, repertory soft good hangs, and safety of the rigging systems.
• Serve as the lead operator and specialist for the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre orchestra shell operation, training, and maintenance.
• Serve as the lead labor scheduler for student work schedules, training and attendance records, and reporting. Additionally, scheduling, recruiting, and hiring of over-hire for Fine Arts Center operations.
• Ensure proper operations, safety, maintenance, of the lighting, rigging, and fall protection equipment under the supervision of the FAC.
• Diagnosing and troubleshooting equipment.
• Lead collaborative efforts for special and capital projects, including the research, purchasing, construction, and installation of said projects.
• Safely setting up, repairing, servicing, and replacing equipment when required in collaboration with other members of FAC team including (not limited to): audio, video, lighting, staging, rigging and fall protection.
• Ensuring proper safety measures are in place and followed in accordance with the EPA, USITT, and OSHA standards and the La Crosse Fire Department codes.
• Building solid, professional relationships with colleagues, other artists, and clients.
• Serve in a supporting role in the execution of technical and logistical support for campus-sponsored functions and external clients utilizing in the Fine Arts Center and associated campus venues.
• Maintain clean and orderly work areas including but not limited to the performance areas and wings, technical control areas, and all storage.
• Coordinating and executing emergency evacuation plans when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned by the Fine Arts Center Director.

General Requirements / Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with concert or theatrical lighting.
• Demonstrated experience with theatrical rigging, operation and maintenance of counterweight fly systems, and automated hoists.
• Bachelor's Degree and/or an equivalent combination of education and professional lighting and rigging experience.
• Experience working in a presenting facility.
• Comprehensive knowledge of DMX protocol, networking as it pertains to lighting signal flow, intelligent lighting fixtures, programming on ETC family of lighting console.
• Strong computer skills including AutoCAD and / or Vectorworks, and Lightwright.
• Ability to follow instructions and remain professional under pressure.
• Sound troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Working knowledge of IATSE regulations and specifications.
• First aid and CPR / AED certification or willingness to complete training.
• Certification or willingness to complete training as a Trained Crowd Manager is preferred.

Physical Demands

The physical demands to successfully perform the essential functions of this job will require you to:

• Regularly stand, walk, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Use hands to handle, feel, and talk or hear.
• Reach with hands and arms.
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 - 100 pounds.

To Apply:Please complete the online employment application form and upload a letter of interest, CV/resume, and three references. Review of applications will begin immediately.

About the University: Viterbo University is a Catholic, Franciscan, liberal arts institution with an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students. Viterbo is located in scenic La Crosse, Wisconsin, which has been rated as one of the top places to live in the US. The region features an attractive cost of living, beautiful bluffs and coulees, three major rivers including the Mississippi River, world-class health care and education systems, and easy access to major cities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement: At Viterbo University, we value our inclusive climate and understand that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. We translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, constituencies, and those who will help us advance our diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed at creating a university that values student, staff, and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.

Viterbo University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, encourages nominations and candidacy of historically underrepresented groups, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Viterbo University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages nominations and candidacy of historically underrepresented groups.