House Technician

The House Technician is a well-rounded theatrical technician who works as a member of a team of technicians to fabricate, install and maintain the scenery, props, and other technical equipment to create CST productions. While primary responsibilities involve the construction, installation, and maintenance of scenic items, the day-to-day activities can vary greatly depending on the production or project, including occasional run-of-show responsibilities. This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement with IATSE Local 2. Prior union membership is not required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Fabricates, installs, maintains, and removes scenic items in CST venues or off-site performance spaces.
Fabricates and modifies stage properties and furniture.
Rigs and installs scenic, lighting, projection and sound equipment.
Participates in venue alterations including but not limited to audience seating areas, specialty architectural elements, trap rooms, mobile stages, and site-specific performance venues.
Loads and unloads of trucks.
Transfers goods and materials to and from warehouses, storage trailers, and other storage locations.
Supervises over hire technicians as necessary.
Proactively develops technical solutions to challenges as they arise.
Collaborates effectively across multiple departments including the sharing of ideas, workspaces, and institutional knowledge with fellow employees.
Maintains an advanced knowledge of best practices regarding stagecraft and material usage by exhibiting a willingness to learn and being open to new training opportunities.
Monitors, enforces, and demonstrates by example the organization’s safety policies.
Uses a variety of power tools including drill, saws, routers, pneumatic nailers and others.
Models CST’s core values of service, ingenuity, and collaboration as well as its customer service ethos.
Champions the organization’s commitment to a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES

Identifying and informing supervisors of maintenance needs for equipment and venues.
Supporting the work of the facilities department, events department, and other departments throughout the organization as assigned.
Operating forklifts and other material handling equipment.
Basic painting.
Drive large vehicles including 24’ box trucks and occasional towing of trailers.
COMPETENCIES

Scenic construction and installation skills
Lighting and sound systems
Stage automation systems (stage elevators, slip stages and automated winches)
Service, ingenuity, and collaboration
Emotional intelligence
Mission-driven
WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work hours are generally 7am-3pm, Monday through Friday, and may extend to 7am-6pm at times.
Occasional night, weekend, and overtime work is required.
Work will primarily be based at the CST facility on Navy Pier in Chicago, IL but will at times work in other locations such as warehouses, outdoor city parks, and other off-site locations.
Work will take place in a variety of environments including but not limited to stages, trap rooms, grids, catwalks, construction shops, warehouses, exposed loading docks, and outdoors.
Work environment may be dirty, noisy, or in low-light, or in tight and cramped spaces.
On occasion, use your training to take precautions around exposure to potentially unsafe materials and equipment
Will regularly be required to wear PPE (for example safety glasses, knee pads, earplug/muffs, etc.) during work activities.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

Perform a variety of physical tasks including but not limited to climbing, stooping, pushing, bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and pulling.
Work at height in locations including but not limited to catwalks, grids, ladders, and genies.
Perform a variety of physical tasks while wearing safety equipment including body harness, hardhat, and safety glasses.
Push, pull, lift, and move up to 50 lbs. at times on a repetitive basis.
Use of manual dexterity in the operation of tools.

Qualifications
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

BA in technical theater or three years professional experience working as an over hire stage carpenter, props carpenter. Will consider non-theatrical carpentry.
Expert level theatrical scenic construction and installation skills.
Expert level knowledge of typical scenic construction power tools including saws of all variety, sanders, screw-guns, routers & pneumatic tools, etc.
Working knowledge of theatrical/arena rigging practices and methodologies.
Working knowledge of typical stage automation systems, including stage elevators, slip stages and automated winches.
Basic knowledge of scene painting techniques
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Forklift driver certification welcomed.
C class drivers’ license welcomed.
ETCP Certification in any discipline welcomed.
TIG/MIG welding expertise welcomed.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

CST is dedicated to increasing equity, diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs and in all our hiring for staff and artists,. We are committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination. CST prohibits discrimination in employment against any employee or job applicant because of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.