Technology Shop Graduate Assistant (2024-2025 Academic Year)

Scope of Responsibility:

The Technology Shop Graduate Assistant provides assistance to the Technology Manager for day to day operations of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. The Technology Shop Graduate Assistant is responsible for assisting in the execution of The Clarice productions as assigned. The Technology Shop Graduate Assistant may supervise volunteers, paid/unpaid student personnel. There are three part time (10hr a week), 9.5 month Technology Shop Graduate Assistant positions available. The positions will begin in August 2024.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Assisting crews for load-ins, rehearsals, performances and strikes.
  2. Under the general supervision of the shop managers, provide technical and logistic support for multimedia equipment, production and media distribution services in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center per requirements of venue and artists.
  3. Provide support for show notes during the technical and dress rehearsal process as needed.
  4. Supervise students in installation and operation of multimedia equipment as necessary.
  5. Prepare lighting related equipment and systems for distribution and operation.
  6. Supervise (in the absence of the Manager) any and all students within the shop, stage, or other venues as required by the activities of the shop.
  7. Position may include supervised and unsupervised work as directed by the Manager or other Production staff.
  8. Follow and instruct others on the rules and regulations of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.
  9. Provide coordination of events in Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center venues including staffing, training, supervision, venue preparation, use of equipment and supplies.
  10. Able to work nights and weekends as assigned.
  11. Clock in and out for all shifts and breaks via time clock system.
  12. Follow schedules produced by supervisor and notify him/her of conflicts to your academic schedule two weeks in advance.
  13. Plan for events by working collaboratively with and providing advice and guidance for users of Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center venues throughout the planning and execution of events.
  14. Ensure adherence to established policies and procedures to ensure successful events.

Required Qualifications:

  • Candidate must be personable, dependable and willing to take initiative.
  • Excellent organization and communication skills, with an emphasis on accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work on multiple projects at once and adhere to deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and follow complex written and oral instructions, even during busy times.
  • Ability to operate lighting and projection equipment; to use electronic testing, hand and power tools; to perform extensive standing and walking; to lift and carry lighting and testing equipment; to use personal computers.
  • Ability to supervise, motivate and train assigned staff; to negotiate resolution to scheduling and procedural problems; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to establish and maintain effective work relationships.
  • Able to lift 50lbs and move equipment related to the lighting and projections field.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Performing arts experience.
  • Interest in learning about the administration and management of a Technology Shop.
  • Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
  • MFA in Lighting design or production.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of projections equipment and related systems.
  • Experience programming and working with ETC software based lighting consoles. 
  • Experience working in an educational setting.
  • Working knowledge of Vectorworks, Lightwright, Isadora, Watchout and Qlab
  • CPR, AED and first aid training 

Decision making:

The Graduate Assistant must exercise good judgment, deal effectively with time pressures, changing or conflicting priorities and be able to anticipate, avoid or effectively dissipate problem situations 

Authority:

The Graduate Assistant has the authority to: schedule and train event staff, discipline and supervise student employees; plan and coordinate cost aspects of an event or performance; negotiate with a presenter, performer or organization to ensure the highest quality of performance.

Communications:

The Graduate Assistant must possess excellent interpersonal skills, and must have outstanding oral and written communication abilities. The Graduate Assistant should practice open communication with other staff across departmental lines. The Graduate Assistant should provide technical information to non-technical constituency in a clear and understandable format. 

Conduct:

As a member of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center team, it is necessary that the Graduate Assistant project a consistently positive image to the campus, community and constituents, create and maintain a productive environment where people strive for quality service that is supportive and empowering of constituents and staff, foster a commitment to achieving both The Clarice and University goals, conduct themselves in a professional manner as a representative of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and promote the highest standards of academic, personal and professional integrity. 

Policies:

A Graduate Assistant is on an academic appointment not involving academic tenure. The appointment is part time (10 hours per week). GAs holding regular 10-hour appointments are considered full-time students by the University if they are registered for at least 24 units. The Clarice determines the GA’s assignment, supervises their work and recommends them for reappointment and promotion to various stipend or compensations levels. Graduate Assistants are under the supervision of the heads of the academic or non-academic units in which they work. A Graduate Assistant must be a registered graduate student in good standing enrolled in a degree program at the University of Maryland, College Park and must be making satisfactory progress toward the degree.

The academic-year appointment begins in mid-August and ends in May. Students may be reappointed one or more times at the discretion of the department in which they serve. Reappointment is dependent upon satisfactory performance and normal progress toward a graduate degree. As with all university faculty and staff positions, appointment and reappointment are contingent upon the availability of funds. A Graduate Assistant’s appointment may be terminated before the expiration of its designated term for loss of funding, for cause, for academic delinquency, by written notice and by voluntary mutual agreement. 

All Graduate Assistants will be reviewed using the same Performance Review and Development Process for full time staff at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. For more details, please refer to the Graduate School Assistantship Policies: https://academiccatalog.umd.edu/graduate/policies/policies-graduate-assi...

TO APPLY

Submit resume to Jeff Reckeweg at reckeweg@umd.edu.

Type of opportunity: 
Student
Student status: 
Graduate
Best Consideration Date: 
Wednesday, May 1, 2024

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.