About the Northcott
Exeter Northcott Theatre is proud to have been part of Exeter’s cultural life for more than 50 years, drawing audiences from across the city, the surrounding area and the wider region to see the very best local, national and international performing arts in our mid- scale auditorium (460 seats) on the campus of the University of Exeter. The Northcott also has a long history of making amazing things happen in the city centre and supporting creative activity in community spaces and settings, reflected in the acquisition of the city-centre Barnfield Theatre with its two smaller auditoria (280 seats and 60 seats), and the resurgence of the community engagement programme.
Diversity and Inclusion
There continues to be a significant lack of diversity across the arts, with a pressing need to provide progression routes for talented people from backgrounds that are under-represented. Exeter Northcott Theatre is committed to playing its part in addressing this by putting inclusion at the heart of our recruitment processes, finding new ways to share the power and resources we have at our disposal, and fostering a working culture that is welcoming for all our team. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds to join us and positively impact our teams and working practice. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people of African and Caribbean heritage, people of South Asian, East Asian and South East Asian Heritage, D/deaf and disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, people with caring responsibilities and those experiencing barriers due to their socioeconomic background.
We are open to considering job shares or part-time work.
Opportunities within the Northcott Technical Team
We are currently looking for a committed and enthusiastic theatre Technician or Senior Technician to join our Technical team, which is led by the Head of Technical. The team structure includes Technical Managers, Senior Technicians and Technicians and we are open to appointing at the appropriate level depending on your experience and skill level.
Collectively, the Team are responsible for the smooth day-to-day running of the theatre’s performance spaces and associated spaces/activities, with a particular focus on maintaining a safe working environment, achieving the highest possible artistic/technical standards for both touring and in-house productions, and maintaining stage and electrical equipment in good working order.
We are keen to recruit a technician of any experience level to work across both of our venues as part of the team supporting all types of performance and events. Technicians should have some previous experience or training, but additional training will be provided.
For any queries relating to your application please contact our Head of Technical, Elaine Faulkner [email protected]
Job Description
Whilst likely to have specific areas of interest and expertise, we expect our technicians to work across all areas within the Technical Department when required, and across all venues that the Northcott operates in.
Technical Team Key Duties & Responsibilities
• Work with technical representatives of visiting companies, to ensure the effective delivery of the technical requirements of visiting shows. Including get-ins, get-outs and carrying out Duty Stage, Duty LX, Operator, Flys or other roles as required to facilitate the smooth running of performances.
• Ensuring the effective delivery of production and technical elements of in-house shows.
• Ensuring the effective delivery of the technical requirements of other events.
• Provide a safe working environment and safe working practices for staff, visiting companies, freelancers, visitors and the public, both in the theatre’s performance spaces and when involved in associated activities.
• Contribute to departmental and organisation-wide risk assessments.
• Maintain theatre and technical equipment in good working order and carry out appropriate safety checks on equipment.
• Suggest and plan for equipment renewal and upgrades.
• Support and facilitate inspections and works carried out by third parties.
• Maintain a clean/tidy working environment.
• Manage technical resources in a cost effective manner, working within designated budgets.
• Develop, and keep updated, a good working knowledge of current technical theatre practices and technologies.
• Take advantage of training and professional development opportunities and share skills within the department.
Technicians
Assist with all areas of the Technical & Production Team’s work, under the supervision of Senior Technicians or Technical Managers. This is a junior role within the team and, although some experience is required, we will provide training.
Senior Technicians
Assist with all areas of the Technical & Production Team’s work, under the supervision of the Technical Managers, taking the lead on some shows/projects as appropriate. Contribute to the supervision and training of Technicians and Casual Staff.
Responsibilities of All Staff Members
• Maintaining up to date knowledge and understanding of the strategy and business plan of ENT
• Thinking creatively and strategically about how activities contribute to ENT goals and being alert to relevant opportunities
• Supporting the identification and removal of access barriers for anyone with access needs
• Supporting the embedding of inclusion as a core tenet of ENT’s work
• Maintaining a working knowledge of the theatre’s artistic programme
• Taking an active part in co-operating with and supporting other staff and departments in the achievement of the company’s aims
• To be aware of, and comply with, rules and legislation pertaining to Health & Safety at Work
• To be an advocate of the company
• Attending staff meetings/training as required
• Adhering to Exeter Northcott Theatre policies & procedures
• Maintaining confidentiality at all times
• Any other duties which may be reasonably requested by the Head of Technical
Person Specification
Please demonstrate how you meet these criteria when applying for this role:
Technician
Personal Qualities
• Hard working, reliable and punctual
• Ability to stay calm and work under pressure
• Good housekeeping skills
• Ability to work as part of a flexible team, responding to challenges, contributing ideas and supporting other team members
• Adaptable and receptive to new ideas and initiatives
• Some problem solving skills
• Friendly and professional
Professional Skills (Essential)
• Technical experience within a producing theatre/company, performance venue or technical theatre training
• Awareness of Health & Safety practices in theatre
• Some knowledge of rigging and stage flying techniques and/or lighting, sound and AV equipment
• Some experience of flying and set fit-ups and/or setting up and operating lighting, sound and AV equipment
• Some experience of fit-ups, get-outs and technical rehearsals
Professional Skills (Desirable)
• Good IT, administrative and organisational skills
• Practical skills in maintaining and repairing stage & technical equipment
• Ability to interpret and implement technical drawings and specifications
Senior Technician
Personal Qualities
• Hard working, reliable and punctual
• Ability to stay calm and work under pressure
• Good housekeeping skills
• Ability to work as part of a flexible team, responding to challenges, contributing ideas and supporting other team members
• Adaptable and receptive to new ideas and initiatives
• Good ability to problem solve
• Friendly and professional
• Good interpersonal skills with an ability to build rapport with people at all levels
Professional Skills (Essential)
• Technical experience within a producing theatre/company, performance venue or technical theatre training
• Professional technical experience within a producing theatre/company or performance venue
• Awareness of Health & Safety practices in theatre
• Good working knowledge of Health & Safety practices in theatre
• Some knowledge of rigging and stage flying techniques and/or lighting, sound and AV equipment
• Good knowledge of rigging and stage flying techniques and/or lighting and sound equipment
• Some experience of flying and set fit-ups and/or setting up and operating lighting, sound and AV equipment
• Experienced in flying and set fit-ups and/or rigging, setting up and operating lighting and sound equipment
• Some experience of fit-ups, get-outs and technical rehearsals
• Experienced in taking an active role in fit-ups, get-outs and technical rehearsals
• Good IT, administrative and organisational skills
• Practical skills in maintaining and repairing stage & technical equipment
• Ability to interpret and implement technical drawings and specifications
Professional Skills (Desirable)
• Good IT, administrative and organisational skills
• Knowledge of and experienced in setting up and operating AV equipment
• Practical skills in maintaining and repairing stage & technical equipment
• Working knowledge of ETC EOS software
• Ability to interpret and implement technical drawings and specifications
• Working knowledge of Digico SD9
• Experience of managing or leading small teams
• Experience training and mentoring junior staff/trainees
• Experience of using CAD to create lighting and ground plans
• Experience of touring
Terms & Conditions
Salaries (full-time):
Technician £24,089 p.a. (£11.03 per hour), rising to £25,225 p.a. (£11.55 per hour) after the first full year of service
Senior Technician £26,382 p.a. (£12.08 per hour)
Hours of Work: Full or Part Time negotiable – Full time contractual working hours are 42 per week, exact days/times will vary depending on the theatre’s programme. TOIL and overtime for hours worked over this and on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Regular evening and weekend work required. (Contract terms currently under review.)
Annual Leave: 24 working days (plus 8 statutory holidays) per annum pro rata. Increasing by 1 working day per completed year of service for each of the first 2 years of service, and then by 2 working days per completed year of service for the next 2 years, up to a maximum of 30 working days pro rata.
Probationary Period: 6 months
Notice Period:
Technician 5 weeks
Senior Technician 2 months
Pension: Smart Pension Ltd – employer contributes in line with statutory auto enrolment, currently 3%
Benefits: An allocation of complimentary tickets per season
Discounts at the theatre bar/restaurant
Access to Spectrum Life Employee Assistance Programme
Application
Application forms to be submitted using the below link by Wednesday 2 August, 9am.
Interviews will be held in Exeter or online on Monday 14 August.
In your application please let us know:
• Whether you consider yourself at Technician or Senior Technician Level
• If you are available on the interview day
If you are not sure if you meet the criteria or have any questions about working at the Northcott Theatre or would like to talk prior to writing your application for any other reason, please do get in touch for an informal chat. We are also offering the opportunity to visit our performance spaces on 24 or 27 July – please contact Elaine to arrange.
Interview questions will be provided in advance.
Cost of travel to interview will be covered.
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