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Assistant Carpenter

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.
Departmental Overview

The Assistant Carpenter is responsible for supporting the Head carpenter in the implementation of all technical related elements for events in Cal Performances venues (including Zellerbach Hall, Zellerbach Playhouse, Wheeler Auditorium, certain performances at Hertz Hall, the Greek Theatre and other off-campus venues), with specific attention to counterweight fly systems, staging equipment and overhead rigging. Duties include, but are not limited to: the safe installation, use, inventory and repair of theatrical equipment, training and development, vendor coordination, and equipment and facilities maintenance.
Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: August 1, 2024
Responsibilities

Technical Specialty and Coordination

Effectively sets up, operates and strikes house and rental scenic equipment including: counterweight fly rail, chain hoists, capstan winch, soft goods, sprung floors, and additional staging equipment.

Ensure the safe and proper use of any overhead or rigged equipment, including selecting the appropriate hardware and methods for the task at hand.

Troubleshoots and repairs various rigging systems as needed.

Conceives and employs strategies in order to avoid any rigging system failures.

Reads and interprets rider requirements. Coordinates with Head Carpenter about potential production needs whether in house or rental equipment.

Assists Cal Performances' department heads to help interpret and integrate rigging or carpentry needs.

Provides technical advice and offers considered solutions to technical challenges which support the organization's overall goals.

Keeps current on industry trends in scenic carpentry and rigging systems and best practices to accommodate the needs and requirements of Cal Performances and visiting artists.

Acts as lead carpentry point of contact and represents Cal Performances to internal and external clients as needed.

Attends Operations departmental meetings and production meetings as required.

Work Lead

Acts as a Lead carpenter when needed for maintenance or event calls, delegating when appropriate to Senior Scene Technicians, over-hire Scene Technicians or work teams, and represents Cal Performances as needed.

Duties include the set up/strike and operation of scenic elements and properties, general load-in, set-up, and load-out. Also works to assist other departments production needs when necessary.

Plans and organizes the work to be performed, delegating to and directing other Scene Technicians as necessary.

Actively participates in training, coaching, and directing crew with regard to best practices in the implementation of scenic technologies; assists with development of Scene Technicians in specialty areas.

Participates in production discussions including making staging recommendations, best practices in work flows, and ways to effectively and efficiently stage each production.

Interacts with event sponsors, event designers, event technical directors or touring technicians in a professional manner, utilizing customer service techniques to collaboratively solve problems or clarify instructions.

When needed this person will act as a point of contact for crew, event managers, touring personnel and artists during load-ins, rehearsals, performances and load-outs in assessing and resolving event technical problems.

Maintains a safe working environment; advises department heads or Production Manager of possible risks or hazards; addresses safety issues in a timely fashion.

Provides or oversees additional on-site basic theater craft instruction and training of all stage crew employees as needed.

General Stage Work

Assists with the implementation of all technical related elements required by events during pre-hangs, load-ins, rehearsals, shows, load-outs and change-overs.

Assists full crew with various tasks: load or unload trucks, set-up or strike staging and/or scenic elements, arrange the set up of staging equipment. Performs general stage duties as needed.

Gathers all necessary staging equipment from storage to stage for events; returns all gear to storage when it's no longer needed, follows and improves upon existing systems for identifying and repairing broken items, ensuring all items are in good condition and ready for use. Maintains storage areas in a clean and organized manner.

Equipment/Facilities Maintenance

Oversees the maintenance and proper use of all rigging and scenic equipment owned or rented by Cal Performances.

Identifies maintenance issues and performs maintenance projects as assigned; ensuring the work is completed to a professional standard. Collaborates with senior production staff in the preparation of an overall maintenance plan.

Keeps up an equipment inventory and plans for equipment replacement purchases; maintains storage areas in a clean and organized manner.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional carpentry experience in technical theatre and event production.


• Extensive experience with counterweight fly systems, rigging, and scenery hanging techniques of all types, including soft goods, flats, electrics, tailed down gear, as well as all other ground based scenic equipment.


• Excellent technical knowledge in setting up systems, components, and troubleshooting.


• Understands Rigging design factors and rigging component selection.


• Working knowledge of Excel, Word, Vectorworks and other industry related software


• Experience with sound reinforcement, theatrical lighting and video systems.


• Strong leadership skills overseeing union, non-union, and student crews


• Positive, approachable attitude; open mindedness and objectivity, and is willing to collaborate.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to successfully interact with a diverse constituency and ability to work with people with varied skill levels.


• Strong service skills with a professional manner in order to successfully build and maintain positive relations and provide quality service.


• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to independently follow through to successful completion of projects.


• Able to multi-task and distribute efforts appropriately among tasks, manage competing deadlines, handle frequent interruptions and maintain a high level of productivity.


• Able to quickly and easily adapt to changing situations and priorities in a calm and professional manner.


• Able to work under pressure of deadlines in a fast paced environment.


• Strong computer skills.


• Able to work long hours, overtime, nights, weekends and holidays.


• Ability to move items weighing up to 75 lbs.


• Ability to work at heights, around moving machinery, and with exposure to noise, vibration, dust, and drafts

Preferred Qualifications

• Appreciation for a wide variety of performing arts including; dance, music, and theater.


• ETCP Certification in Theater Rigging or willingness to achieve this certification when appropriate.


• Bachelor's degree or higher in relevant discipline

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $38.89

This is a variable-time career appointment with a full benefits package. FTE will be varied from 50% to 100%.
Driving Required

A valid driver's license and DMV check for driving record is required.
Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.


To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=71062&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=21&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant