Head Carpenter - Jacobs Music Center

The San Diego Symphony proudly operates two world-class venues in downtown San Diego: the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, a newly opened state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater, as well as the Jacobs Music Center, an indoor concert hall currently preparing to reopen to the public after extensive renovations. The San Diego Symphony has a full event schedule including orchestral performances, presented programming without orchestra, performances for rental clients, and private events.

Position Summary:

The Head Carpenter reports to the Director of Production and oversees all crew members at the Jacobs Music Center in the context of the Collective Bargaining Agreements between San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association and IATSE Local 122. The Head Carpenter works on all productions, leading crew members during load-ins, technical rehearsals, show runs, and loadouts. The Head Carpenter is accountable for the upkeep, functionality, and efficient operation of all house staging equipment, general carpentry needs, and some automation. The successful candidate will be a strong leader that is able to work as a member of a large team. The Head Carpenter requires an exemplary work ethic and experience in stage carpentry and rigging both for presented and produced works. The Head Carpenter requires excellent communication in order to work successfully with other members of the crew, Production staff and visiting companies.

This is a union stage crew role. Any successful candidate will be required to join IATSE Local 122 and fulfil membership requirements.

This is an hourly position (currently $41.39). The wages, conditions, and terms of which are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with IATSE Local 122.

It is expected that the successful candidate will make the San Diego Symphony his/her primary employment responsibility, and provide expertise, stability and continuity for our clients and organization.

All Department Heads will perform necessary duties for the proper completion of performances. A Department Head may perform tasks in other areas without regard to departmental distinction; however, it is understood that these tasks shall not interfere with the safe and professional execution of their primary responsibilities to the Employer as a head of department.

Requirements

Supervisory Responsibilities

 Directly supervises IATSE local 122 employees in the crew departments and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Heads of Department are expected to anticipate department needs, follow through on projects and meet deadlines set by SDSOA Production Department, engage and motive other crew to achieve agreed outcomes. As leaders, Heads of Department should have the ability to think ahead and be self sufficient in assessing and completing required tasks, including setting priorities, anticipating potential challenges and multitask. All heads have a responsibility to manage personnel safety and uphold safety protocols within the department, including participating in all required training.

Position Responsibilities:

• Ensure the safety of all crew, artists, staff, and backstage guests. Maintain clean, safe, unobstructed stage areas.
• Work with and communicate with other House Dept. Heads (Props, Audio, Lighting, Video, Union Steward) to maintain a unified and organized house crew; Efficiently communicate to what is required/expected, keep them motivated through completion of tasks.
• Coordinate and communicate with San Diego Symphony Head Carpenter at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park as needed.
• Take a broad view of activities both in the long term and on a daily basis, to anticipate challenges and address as appropriate with management, and/or working crew, including coordination across department.
• Work closely with visiting production managers and crews to ensure safe and effective execution of their events.
• Direct crew work during load in and load outs, including truck packs. Manage and prioritize the day-to-day duties of the House Crew on non-show days.
• Responsible for all automation, oversee testing and day-to-day maintenance of the venue's stage and rigging system. Supervision of riggers as needed.
• Risibility for accurate set assembly, and placement, including risers, masking, soft goods deployment and storage.
• Build stage equipment as needed according to plots, and assist Props with assembly and movement of percussion equipment.
• Assist with stage changes as required.
• Have a working knowledge of all other department typical needs (Lighting, Audio, & Video).
• Maintain strong knowledge of orchestral set up needs, supporting the Head of Properties as needed.
• Keep informed and up to date with training and skills including changes, technical advancements and safety protocols in the industry.
• Complete required equipment maintenance, inventories, and troubleshooting.
• Review all paperwork, plots and tech requirements received from visiting and resident Production Directors, Lighting Designers, etc.
• Act as steward for smaller crews, liaising with management to resolve any issues, and ensure timely completion of payroll.
• Advise on venue equipment limitations, schedule issues or any possible impediments to the execution of a production’s stage or hang plot.
• Work with the Symphony Production department on crew scheduling and performance needs.
• Advise Production department re: recommended or necessary equipment replacements and/or upgrades, including researching options, and receiving, installing, and testing new equipment.
• Take initiative and inspire the same in the crew.

Skills & Experience:

• 3-5 years' experience as a Head Carpenter either in similar-sized organization and/or venue.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize tasks, and look ahead to future production to minimize challenges and maximize efficiency.
• Read and implement plots and understand theatrical design and technical drawings.
• Demonstrated high performance as a leader of crews.
• Experience working with orchestras and/or classical musicians and touring productions.
• Experience completing payroll in an accurate and timely manner.
• Working knowledge of stage carpentry, and ability to make repairs to the stage and house as required.
• The safe use and application of power tools and hand tools.
• Working knowledge of chain motor rigging.
• Working knowledge and experience with theatrical rigging.
• An intimate knowledge of knot tying (including but not limited to bowline, belays, prussic hitches, clove hitches) block & falls and the basic laws of physics.
• OSHA certified, and consistent attention to safety, including reporting hazardous or unsafe conditions to supervisor.
• Able to solve practical problems, including those unforeseen, and deal with limited resources under tight timeframes.
• Able to interpret a variety of instructions provided in writing, diagrams, and verbally.
• Able to successfully interact with others both inside and outside the organization.
• Able to operate forklifts and man lifts.
• Able to drive a 24’ truck (preferred).
• Proficient with Email, Windows, Microsoft Office, Google Drive. Experience with drawing programs (CAD, Vectorworks) would be an advantage.
• Understanding of and commitment to backstage etiquette, anticipate needs of musicians onstage.
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively while managing multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to diplomatically and tactfully resolve difficult and sensitive situations.
• Exceptional collaborative attitude and communication skills including exercising of diplomacy and respect and consideration for others.

Personal Attributes:

• Reliable and prompt attendance, including planning meetings.
• Must be available to work a schedule heavy in evening, weekend and holiday shifts
• Excellent work ethic and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to retain information and carry out tasks consistently.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and work well with others including fellow stage crew and non-union staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to a constantly changing work environment based on show and artist needs.
• Able to demonstrate patience, sensitivity and diplomacy when interacting with musicians of the San Diego Symphony and visiting artists and production staff.
• Face demanding situations with calm, tact and diplomacy under pressure.
• Constant dedication to personal and departmental improvement
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with people that are mixed across lines of differences such as race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status. 
• Abide by all company rules and bylaws as detailed in the San Diego Symphony policies and procedures handbook.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand for varying periods of time.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more.
• Capable of working at elevated heights including climb ladders, operate personnel lifts, and walk on structural steel above the stage.
• Operate stage equipment which could require lifting, pushing or pulling heavy objects.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.
• The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, lift, climb, push, pull, hang, reach, lean and balance.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.