On-Call, Scene Shop Assistant

Position Purpose

The Scene Shop Assistant supports the daily operations of the academic theatre scene shop by assisting with the construction, installation, and maintenance of scenic elements for departmental productions. This position contributes to a safe, inclusive, and educational environment by working alongside faculty, staff, and students, modeling professional shop practices, and helping students develop technical theatre skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Scenic Construction & Technical Support: Assists in the construction, assembly, and finishing of scenic elements for departmental productions, working with students to demonstrate proper techniques and safe tool usage. Supports load‑ins, strikes, and scene changes by collaborating with faculty, staff, and student crews to ensure efficient and safe execution of production needs.
• Shop Operations & Maintenance: Helps maintain a clean, organized, and safe shop environment by monitoring tool condition, assisting with equipment upkeep, and ensuring materials are stored properly. Prepares materials, tools, and workspaces for classes, labs, and production work sessions to support instructional and production activities.
• Student Support & Educational Collaboration: Provides guidance to students working in the shop, reinforcing safety protocols, proper tool handling, and professional construction practices. Assists faculty and staff in supervising student work calls, labs, and practicum assignments to ensure learning outcomes are met.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Direction

Provides work direction to student workers, volunteer students, and production crews during shop hours, work calls, load‑ins, and strikes. Collaborates with faculty, Technical Director, and staff supervisors to support student learning and workflow.

General Guidelines

• Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality.
• Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.
• Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.
• Prepares and submits reports as requested and required.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred. This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within an inclusive multicultural environment and to promote and contribute to a respectful workplace.

• Knowledge: Basic scenic construction methods (woodworking, metalworking, rigging fundamentals); safe operation of hand and power tools; theatrical production processes and backstage operations; university safety standards and shop protocols; materials commonly used in scenic fabrication (lumber, hardware, foam, fabrics, paints).
• Skills: Competent carpentry and fabrication skills; clear communication suited to student learners; strong organizational and time‑management skills; ability to model safe and professional shop practices; basic problem‑solving and troubleshooting in a technical environment.
• Abilities: Work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff in a teaching‑focused environment; demonstrate patience and clarity when instructing or guiding inexperienced learners; maintain a safe, efficient, and inclusive shop environment; adapt to shifting production timelines and academic schedules; follow technical drawings and construction plans.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in technical theatre or related field, preferred.
• Years of Experience: 2 years of experience in scenic construction or technical theatre, required. Experience working in an educational or mentorship‑based environment, preferred.

Physical Demands

Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of materials up to 50 lbs. Regular use of hand and power tools, ladders, and shop equipment. Standing, bending, and moving for extended periods during work calls and builds. May be required to travel between campus buildings or off‑site performance venues.

Work Environment

Scene shop environment with power tools, machinery, and moderate noise levels. Backstage and onstage environments during load‑ins, tech rehearsals, and strikes. Occasional outdoor work depending on project needs. Frequent interruptions and shifting priorities based on academic and production schedules.

Pay & Schedule

• Hiring Range: $25.05 – $30.05 per hour; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.
• Pay Frequency: Hourly
• Position Type: Fixed Term (Fixed Term)
• Telecommute: Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.