About the Position
Career Opportunity
The city of Las Vegas invites applications for Theater Program Specialist (F). This position oversees the development of curriculum and syllabi for classes in all aspects of theater production, and engages contracted teaching artists to provide instruction. Manages the technical production aspects of city-produced main stage theater productions, including creation and oversight of the production calendar, production budget, calling and facilitating production meetings, liaising with set construction team (s) and leading crew calls for production-related crew needs. Participates in the recruitment, selection, contracting and oversight of the design team for main stage productions, including but not limited to: scenic designs, props design, sound design, costume design, and lighting design, etc. Responsible for the achievement of performance excellence in all aspects of theater production and arts education.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for the Theater Program Specialist (F) is an experienced performing arts professional who is comfortable teaching and leading youth in a deadline-oriented environment. Preferably, this candidate has experience in large mainstage artistic productions (including direction and rights procurement), a theatre education background mainly with youth up to age 18, and is proficient at all aspects of technical theatre (sound, lights, set design, costume construction, stage management, etc.). This candidate flourishes in a team environment, promoting creativity, maintaining innovation and safety, and adhering to a high standard of excellence. The ideal Theater Program Specialist (F) demonstrates excellent leadership, communication and organizational skills. As a team-member of one of Las Vegas’ only full-time producing youth theater companies, this position offers candidates the opportunity to inspire young local artists to become professionals in the field of performing arts.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives general supervision from Performing Arts Section Manager.
May act as a lead worker, exercising functional and/or technical supervision, including scheduling and assigning tasks, providing guidance, ensuring work is completed according to proper procedure, monitoring work progress, and reviewing results.
Type of Examination:
A civil service examination will be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Rules of the city of Las Vegas. The supplemental questions are the examination. Falsification of information may result in disqualification from a recruitment or removal from a City position. Additional information will not be accepted after the closing date. The supplemental questions are weighted 100% for placement on an eligible list, and must be worked on individually by the applicant only. The supplemental questions of all qualified applicants will be reviewed for placement on an eligible list.
Eligible List
You must score 70% or higher on the examination to be placed on the eligible list.
Selection Process:
Final candidate selection will include list placement and may include hiring interview (if applicable). Any individual offered employment will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test, complete background check, and may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform the physical requirements of the job. Some positions may require preliminary background checks. The purpose of this recruitment is to establish an eligible list for current and/ or future openings which may include part-time or full-time positions.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Essential Functions:
- Plans, develops, schedules, oversees, contracts teaching artists for, and evaluates technical theater classes, workshops and technical arts seasonal camp(s).
- Evaluates, assigns and oversees part-time hourly staff, volunteers and student workers’ efforts assisting with theater production.
- Oversees the conception, planning and development of theatrical scenery, lighting, costumes, sound and props; assists design team(s) with the creation of detailed drawings/plans/cue sheets of scenery, lighting, sound and prop designs.
- Oversees running crews for performances. Schedules crews for shows. Participates in performing sound, lighting, costumes and make up duties as needed.
- Assists in preparing promotional materials and programs including preparing text, requesting graphics and editing and finalizing materials; may perform public relations duties including giving media interviews and presentations at public events.
- Maintains a variety of logs, records and files; performs a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work.
- Prepares paperwork and reports.
- When acting as a lead worker, ensures employees adhere to established work methods, techniques and schedules, and comply with applicable city and department policies, procedures, standards and specifications; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
- Collects payments on behalf of the city; monitors, identifies and acts on potential financial overruns and variance at an early stage.
- Monitors and maintains appropriate levels of supplies, equipment, and inventory to ensure efficient and effective operations. Participates in the procurement process, including researching materials, equipment, and vendors, assisting with specifications, and requisitioning materials as needed.
- Assists with budget preparation, tracking and reporting for assigned program(s).
- Responsible for maintaining a safe work environment in the theater at all times, including but not limited to, creating, planning, developing and implementing mandatory safety trainings and drills for all part-time hourly staff, volunteers and student workers who work on theatrical productions.
- Manages production calendar for all theatrical production-related activities, and coordinates same with arts education calendar to ensure efficient and effective use of time and facility space.
Marginal Functions:
- Performs basic scene, shop, lighting, costume and sound shop housekeeping duties.
- Responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
- Participates in the set-up of theater facilities.
- May create original show and/or compose music for productions.
- Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Experience:
Two years of increasingly responsible experience in professional theater production, including experience as a production manager or technical director for a producing theater.
Training:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major in a specialization of theater production.
May substitute combination of equivalent education and related experience. The city assesses 1.5 years of fulltime experience as equivalent to one year of education.
Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of an appropriate valid driver’s license on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
- Theater aesthetics.
- Intermediate to advanced principles of stage management.
- Basic principles of Actor’s Equity Association Rules and Guidelines for regional producing
- theaters and guest artist contracts.
- Operations, services and techniques required to successfully lead a theater program.
- Historical and contemporary principles of theater design and construction.
- Basic skills in the operation of a personal computer.
- Principles and procedures of record keeping.
- Advanced principles and procedures of highly specialized elements of theater production.
- Techniques necessary to lead professional, volunteer and student production crews.
- Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
- Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and safety regulations impacting public
- theater facilities and programs.
- Methods and techniques of theater education.
Skills in:
- Planning, organizing and leading the activities of others and direct the work of theater production programs.
- Training staff, volunteers and students.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of programs.
- Understanding and following oral and written instructions.
- Responding to requests and inquiries from the general public.
- Creating professional quality sound sets, costumes and scenery for theater productions.
- Making decisions based on a thorough understanding of aesthetics.
- Working independently in the absence of supervision.
- Explaining and enforcing city and department policies and procedures.
- Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with persons contacted in the course of work.
Competencies:
Core Workforce Competencies
- Professionalism – Demonstrates core values by being honest, respectful and positive.
- Effective Communication – Expresses verbal and written thought in a clear and understandable manner.
- Customer Focus – Demonstrates genuine concern and satisfies external and/or internal customers based on the CLV core purpose and values.
- Adaptability – Able to effectively modify behavior to suit changing workforce demands.
- Problem Solving – Solves problems by considering all causes, solutions and outcomes.
- Productive Partnerships – Develops, maintains and strengthens partnerships with others.
- Technical and Safety Expertise – Possesses a depth of knowledge, skill and ability in a technical (job) area.
