Employment at SSU

This position is only open to Sonoma State University Employees

Application Process

This position is open until filled. For full consideration, please submit application, along with cover letter and resume, by 8am on Tuesday, September 3rd. 

Please review the position description listed above for full scope of responsibilities and qualifications.

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Associate Director of Production, with additional lead work direction from show related stage manager, the Performing Arts Technician provides live lighting support including setup/rigging of lights, wiring and focus of lights and programming/operating lighting consoles.  Incumbent also provides live audio support including wiring of the stage, patching audio and assisting with the rigging and wiring of both the indoor and outdoor PAs., Incumbent provides live video support including setup and operating video equipment and streaming equipment. The types of events include performances by world-class artists, touring companies, faculty/staff/and student performances, as well as rental events. Additional duties include amplified sound setup for live performances, rigging, professional audio & video recording, load-in, setup & strike, load-out, utilizes lighting, video and audio software and hardware for recording and post­production. In addition, the incumbent serves as a stage hand and assists with stage changes both before and during the performance. This position requires frequent work on nights and weekends, often past midnight.

Key Qualifications

This position requires ten years of responsible and related experience providing live lighting, video and audio services for indoor and outdoor concerts, live entertainment events and activities such as performing arts organizations, theatre and dance companies, and music organizations or an equivalent combination of education and experience. In depth knowledge of lighting consoles required. Detailed knowledge and experience of live lighting, video, rigging of lighting hardware, stage wiring and patching, rigging projection screens, drapery, running and connecting power cables, and related equipment. Knowledge of stage etiquette desired. Membership in professional Audio/Theatrical organizations desired.

In addition, this position requires the following:

• Experience demonstrating a track record of showing initiative, volunteering readily, and performing duties and taking appropriate actions without reminders.
• Experience working as a member of a team, being supportive of determined plan of delivery, while maintaining a positive outlook of the various operations on a daily basis.
• Knowledge of the methods, practices, procedures, tools, and terminology related to Theatrical Lighting, video and audio.
• Ability to plan and deliver event technical support services including lighting, staging, and power.
• Knowledge of audio equipment and patching.
• Knowledge of analogue and digital audio-visual systems including software, projection, and front of house sound.
• Knowledge of electrical standards and fundamentals.
• Ability to analyze and understand technical concepts and language described in contract riders.
• Working knowledge of standard tools and equipment, rigging techniques, counterweight systems, light fixtures rigging, focus and control, sound rigging and control.
• Ability to identify, plan, and coordinate all technical components of major technical productions.
• Ability to read and interpret designer renderings, models, blueprints, light plots, and sound designs.
• Working knowledge of all aspects of technical production and direction, in multiple disciplines, in all stages of the creative process.
• Working knowledge of CSU and University policies and procedures related to use of facilities safety, code compliance, and security with specific emphasis on occupational hazards and safety precautions for shop and production locations.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply policies and procedures related to and impacting the organizational units.
• Ability to organize and carry out projects, with often simultaneous, priorities.
• Ability to take initiative and assist plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
• Ability to work under pressure, often in public situations involving large crowds and visiting artists/entertainers/lecturers, being flexible and cope with rapid changes while meeting strict deadlines.
• Ability to provide timely responses on related matters.
• Ability to effectively utilize electronic communication and calendaring resources.
• Ability to evaluate information and resource capabilities to make sound conclusions appropriate recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within and outside the organizational unit.
• Ability to develop conclusions and make recommendations regarding services, systems, and collaborations.
• Incumbent must possess the ability to make independent decisions and exercise sound judgment, demonstrate discretion and initiative in performing complex work.
• Ability to maintain professional working relationships with artists and their staff, customers, faculty, staff and students; must have the demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within and outside the workgroup and serve as a liaison for the organizational unit; incumbent must have the ability to provide outstanding customer service to all while working in a professional, fast-paced environment.
• Must have strong written and oral communication skills.
• Must have the ability to analyze problems, which have administrative impact.
• Ability to anticipate and resolve problems, often with immediate deadlines.
• Ability to understand and operate high-voltage equipment.
• Ability to understand and operate electrical and gas-powered equipment, including generators.

Must have the ability to effectively communicate with all levels within the university and establish and maintain productive and effective, inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, students, and other internal and external constituents. Must be able to accept constructive feedback and work cooperatively in group situations.

This position requires successful completion of a preplacement physical exam.

Must have the ability to effectively communicate with all levels within the university and establish and maintain productive and effective, inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, students, and other internal and external constituents. Must be able to accept constructive feedback and work cooperatively in group situations.

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $5,885 - $6,179 a month. This is a full time, non-exempt position, which will lead toward permanent status following the successful completion of a probationary period.

This position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 15 paid holidays are offered each year and a Personal Holiday that may be taken any time during the year. Sonoma State University is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer.

A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by clicking here to be taken to the CSU benefits page.

For eligible employees, CSUEU collective bargaining agreement Article 17.10 will be honored.

Supplemental Information

Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with our Strategic Plan and our Seawolf Commitment, our values include diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence and integrity. We strive to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. We encourage innovation, experimentation and creativity, as well as contributions to equity and inclusion, in the pursuit of excellence for all members of our university community. 

The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

The CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption and thereafter comply with routine campus testing requirements. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. To learn more about the vaccination requirement at Sonoma State, please visit: https://risk.sonoma.edu/covid-compliance-and-monitoring-office/vaccine-requirement-information.

CSU Out of State Policy - Sonoma State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.

Sonoma State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.

For questions related to the application process, please reach out to hr@sonoma.edu. The ADA Coordinator is also available (hraccommodations@sonoma.edu) to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation during the hiring process.

Sonoma State University's Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person by emailing the Clery Compliance and Safety Office at clery@sonoma.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available for viewing at https://housing.sonoma.edu/resources/fire-safety. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within Sonoma State University student housing facilities for three years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Residential Education and Campus Housing at housing@sonoma.edu.