Technical Director

Working Title : Technical Director

State Role Title : N / A

Position Type : Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status : Full-Time

College / Division : College of Visual and Performing Arts

Department : 100019 - School Theatre and Dance

Pay Rate : Pay Range

Beginning Review Date : 06 / 30 / 2024

Specify Range or Amount : $60,000-$63,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

About JMU : Mission

Mission

We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision

To be the national model for the engaged university : engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are

Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.

C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff.

The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels.

The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship.

JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student / faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information :

The James Madison University School of Theatre and Dance (STAD) is searching for a Technical Director. This is a fulltime Lecturer position on a renewable-term, 12-month contract.

The position is non-tenure-eligible, but includes structured opportunities for promotion in rank and concomitant pay increases.

This colleague will supervise the execution of all departmental productions while overseeing the management and maintenance of the scene shop and its related spaces (e.

g., performance venues) and equipment.

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) brings together the Schools of Art, Design, and Art History; Theatre and Dance;

and Music. CVPA also includes the Office of Creative Propulsion, the Madison Art. Collection and Lisanby Museum. The CVPA is a founding member of the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (A2RU).

With over 100 full-time tenure-track faculty and 1,200 majors, the CVPA is a vital and collaborative artistic community.

The School of Theatre and Dance serves 260 majors and offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance, Theatre, and Musical Theatre.

It emphasizes collaboration and artistic excellence as part of the CVPA’s student-centered learning community. Housed in the award-winning Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, the School fosters a collegial environment toward providing practice-based training within a liberal arts tradition.

STAD presents a robust season during both the academic year and summer while working across disciplines within the CVPA.

CVPA believes that inclusive excellence is a moral imperative and artistic obligations. Diversity in the stories we represent, students we serve, and audiences we engage is vital for the health and relevance of contemporary arts and design practice.

CVPA is committed to empowering students to act boldly, justly, and inclusively to create their own unique path.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Teach courses in technical direction and related areas
• Participate in construction, load-in, and strike of scenery and properties for all STAD productions
• Develop and manage scene shop budgets and initiatives
• Supervise a scene-shop head and team of student employees
• Purchase materials, schedule workers, and manage / maintain scene shop and theatrical equipment
• Implement and support safety protocols and recommended practices.
• Implement Universal Design standards
• Work with production manager, faculty designers, and guest artists to develop estimates, track budgets, organize production milestones and ensure that material and labor budgets remain in scope
• Non-standard work schedule including evenings and weekends is expected. A typical week is 40 hours. No work is permitted during university closures.
• Assist with recruitment events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• Previous professional experience in technical production
• MFA or commensurate experience as professional Technical Director
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff and guest artists
• Working knowledge of technology and recommended practices in the following areas :

o Carpentry

o Welding

o Scenic art

o Rigging

• Teaching experience in higher education or professional shop settings
• CAD and CNC Router experience preferred

Physical Requirements

• Ascend and descend stairs and ladders
• Work effectively at elevations up to 70’ (theatre grid)
• Use woodworking, metalworking, rigging and material handling tools
• Drive pickup truck and cargo van
• Work in an office environment may include sedentary periods working in front of a computer

Conditions of Employment :

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice : After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Additional Posting Information :

To apply, submit a cover letter specific to this position, a resume / curriculum vitae, a portfolio (optional), and contact information for three references.

Additional references may be requested later in the interview process.

EEO Statement :

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination.

This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission.

The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity : (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation :

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.