Technical Director for Music and Dance

Search:#960
Date Posted: 09/02/2021
Type/Department:Administrator in Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies
Search Status:Position Filled
Apply Now:Currently we are not accepting resumes for this position.

Hampshire College

Department:  Humanities & Arts (Programs of Music and Dance)                             

Job Title: Technical Director for Music and Dance

Position Type: Full Time

Schedule: 35 (Hours a week)

Pay Range/ Status: $50,000 - $52,000 /Exempt

Location: Hampshire College Campus in Amherst, MA

Reports to: Dean of Humanities & Arts

Anticipated Start Date: 10/25/2021

Hampshire College, an independent, innovative liberal arts institution and member of the Five College consortium, is located on a beautiful rural campus in Amherst, Massachusetts. We provide residential undergraduate education to nearly 600 students. Each department at Hampshire College contributes to the collaborative culture of the organization and plays an important role in the success of the College. Hampshire College's Music Program offers a unique and innovative approach to music performance, scholarship, theory, composition and improvisation. Students are encouraged to explore an interdisciplinary process to engage with music as a creative expression as well as understanding music as culture and in culture. The Hampshire Dance Program supports students’ research and creative practice in dance, movement, and the body, preparing dance concentrators for a rigorous, final-year independent project based in original choreographic work for performance, installation, or screening; in-depth research and writing; and/or community-based initiatives or curricula. With access to courses and related programming through the Five College Dance Department, students can concentrate in choreography and performance, or combine dance with other areas of study. As part of the music and dance team, you will be instrumental in these programs achieving their missions and goals!

 

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Technical Director (TD) oversees music and dance performances, including technical and dress rehearsals, of Hampshire College student, faculty, and guest productions held in the Music and Dance Building of Hampshire College. The TD supervises audio, video, lighting and stage operations for these events; maintains and operates sound, lighting, and video equipment in both the music and dance performance spaces; and collaborates occasionally with the Five College Dance Department Production Office and other allied offices for their productions and events.   

The Technical Director maintains the regular operation of the building, facilities, equipment, and musical instruments; provides technical support as needed for music and dance faculty; manages the Music and Dance Programs’ equipment budgets and purchasing needs; coordinates rehearsal and performance schedules; and schedules and trains work-study students, student stage crews and stage managers. In addition to monitoring the safe use of the Music and Dance facilities and equipment, the Technical Director advises, instructs, and mentors undergraduate college students in the field of technical stage operations and sound recording.

The Technical Director serves as liaison with various vendors, service providers, and offices, coordinating piano tuning and other maintenance services as well as special projects such as building renovation.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

  • In-depth knowledge, training, and work experience of both Music and Dance technical production equipment, operations and procedures, including audio engineering, technical theater, theatrical lighting and recording technologies, and production management.
  • Ability to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain lighting, sound systems, projection equipment and other production-related equipment.
  • Professional ability as an audio engineer for live performance mixing, to operate cutting edge theatrical equipment, and to make necessary judgments to capture professional quality results.
  • Expertise in sound engineering. Ability to instruct recording, sound theory and practice within unique learning and project-based environments. Must be able to effectively mentor students to carry out comprehensive projects. This requires the TD to stay continually engaged with research and practice in all aspects of this field. 
  • Ability to organize and communicate complex production details. Ability to direct and manage workers of various capacities and skill levels.
  • Well versed in workplace and theatrical equipment safety.
  • Excellent organizational and relevant computer skills, initiative, flexibility, and willingness to learn.
  • A commitment to working with people from diverse backgrounds, including alumni and donors, is essential.
  • Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff and community members. 
  • Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Support and enhance a sense of belonging and success of students from traditionally marginalized populations.
  • Ability to have a flexible schedule that includes some nights and weekends.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Three years of job-related experience

Alternatives to formal education and paid work experience may be considered as equivalent qualifications to include military service/training, volunteering, activism, and other non-traditional programs and experiences related to the position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

BA/BFA strongly preferred; degree or training in technical theater operation preferred; MA/MFA appreciated

BENEFITS:

Hampshire College offers an excellent benefits program for eligible employees such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, generous retirement plan contributions, flexible leave plans, and many other fringe benefits. For information on Hampshire College, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.hampshire.edu.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity employer and deeply committed to a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are particularly committed to revealing and combating the social and institutional structures that support racism and white supremacy in all phases of employment and college life. We believe that the educational and employment environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to work and grow. We encourage applications from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, sexual minority groups, veterans, and other candidates who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. Hampshire College is committed to removing barriers to employment faced by equity-seeking groups and encourages (but does not require) members of these groups to self-identify in their application materials. Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective and a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity in the work environment are particularly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit your cover letter, resume and names/phone numbers of three professional references via our website at https://jobs.hampshire.edu/

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity institution, committed to diversity and inclusion in education and employment.