Head Electrician - 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 Electrician reports to the Director of Production and oversees the Electrics Department of the Jacobs Music Center within the context of the Collective Bargaining Agreements between San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association and IATSE Local 122. The Head Electrician works on all productions, supervising the implementation, operation, and maintenance of lighting equipment and leading crew members during load-ins, technical rehearsals, show runs, and loadouts. The Head Electrician also serves as either the Lighting Board Operator, Deck Electrician or Lighting Designer on all performances as assigned and assists other departments as needed.

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 Electrical department 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:

• Inventory all house electrics equipment, and prepare all documents relating to the inventory.
• Ensure safe distribution of power onstage and other associated areas.
• Inspect, repair, and maintain all House electrics equipment.
• Prepare and package equipment for RMA, including filing paperwork with vendors.
• Assist SDSO Production staff in the advance of an event, as requested.
• Lead and manage crews during load ins, rehearsals, performances, load outs, and maintenance calls.
• Coordinate and communicate with San Diego Symphony Head Electrician at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park as needed.
• Supervise the installation, operation, and maintenance of theatrical lighting equipment.
• Understanding and ability to repair moving lights and conventional LED fixtures.
• Maintain working knowledge of all installed equipment and fixtures.
• Read and implement light plots and understand theatrical design and technical drawings.
• Act as Lighting Board Operator, Deck Electrician and/or Lighting Designer during all events.
• Assist with stage changes as required.
• Program and operate GrandMA and various other lighting consoles and house lighting control systems.
• Support guest and touring Lighting Designers as needed.
• Maintain professional currency with industry trends and standards in lighting, event communications and related live production lighting equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills & Experience:

• Experience in lighting design for theatre, corporate, rock n’ roll, and spot calling.
• Experience in lighting for camera including IMAG and video records.
• Experience in programming, operating and “punting” shows on GrandMA 2 or 3.
• Experience in entertainment drafting in Vectorworks or CAD desirable, and a willingness to learn new systems as needed including Vectorworks, Lightwrite , CAD, and other industry standard programs.
• Proficiency in all GrandMA hardware, software, and networking .
• Proficiency in entertainment control networking, such as sACN, Artnet, MAnet, etc.
• Ability to network guests consoles into the house lighting network.
• Understanding of rigging, including ability to assist in or lead installation and maintenance of rigging systems for lighting.
• 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 and walk, lift, climb, push, pull, hang, reach, lean and balance.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.