Job Details

Theatrical Scene Prop Shop Supervisor

Salary Range: $35.00 To $40.00 Hourly

Job Summary

About the College of Arts, Media and Design

CAMD is a community of creators, designers, technologists, and communicators applying creativity across disciplines and emerging technologies. The college supports experience-driven teaching, learning, and research across design, communication, media, and the arts.

About the Opportunity

The Theatrical Scene and Prop Shop Supervisor is a temporary, full-time position that manages the day-to-day operation of the department's scenic, prop, and lighting shop spaces in support of academic instruction and theatrical productions during the term of the appointment. The Supervisor maintains a safe, organized, and efficient working environment, oversees the acquisition and upkeep of tools, equipment, and consumable materials, and provides hands-on training and supervision to students working in the shops for coursework and production assignments.

The Supervisor works collaboratively with faculty, production staff, and University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to uphold safety standards across all shop operations and to support load-in and strike for department productions. This is a short-term, fixed-duration position that runs through May 3, 2027. Continuation is subject to department need, safety standards as prescribed by the Provost's Safety protocols, and available funding. The role requires a flexible schedule aligned with the academic and production calendar, including evening and weekend hours.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

1. Shop operations, equipment, and purchasing (35%)

• Supervise the daily operation of the scenic, prop, and lighting shop spaces, ensuring they are safe, organized, and properly maintained.
• Maintain, inspect, and repair shop tools and equipment, and coordinate outside service or repair when needed.
• Oversee the purchase of new tools, equipment, and consumable supplies, including sourcing, budgeting, and maintaining vendor relationships.
• Maintain accurate records related to equipment inventory, maintenance schedules, and material purchases.

2. Student Training and Supervision (30%)

• Partner with faculty and production staff to train and supervise students working in the shop spaces, including instruction on proper tool use and shop procedures.
• Provide hands-on assistance and guidance to students completing class assignments and production work in the shop spaces.

3. Production Support: Load-in and Strike

• Assist other personnel with the load-in, organization, and storage of scenic materials, props, lighting equipment, and associated production materials
• Assist with load-in and strike duties for theatrical productions, working alongside production staff and student crews.

4. Safety and Compliance (15%)

• Partner with University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to develop, deliver, and document safety training for students and staff.
• Establish, communicate, and enforce shop safety protocols, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and machine safety procedures.
• Maintain accurate records related to safety training.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Theatre, Technical Theatre, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in theatrical scenic, prop, and/or lighting shops, including hand and power tool use, rigging, and basic electrics.
• Experience supervising or training others in a shop or production environment.
• Working knowledge of shop safety practices and willingness to partner with EHS on training and compliance.
• Strong organizational skills, including experience managing inventory, purchasing, or budgets.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to support production load-in, tech, and strike schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a higher education or academic theatre setting.
• Familiarity with scenic construction techniques and prop fabrication.
• Basic welding, CNC, or other specialized fabrication experience.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs., and to safely lift heavier loads with assistance or equipment.
• Ability to stand, bend, kneel, and climb ladders or lifts for extended periods.
• Ability to work in shop environments with exposure to dust, noise, and the use of power tools and machinery.
• Ability to work at heights and in confined production spaces as needed for load-in and strike.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Work Environment

This position works primarily in scenic, prop, and lighting shop spaces, as well as performance venues during load-in, technical rehearsals, and strike. The role requires a flexible schedule aligned with the academic and production calendar, including some evening and weekend hours.

Financial Measures

Responsible for the purchase of shop tools, equipment, and consumable supplies within an assigned operating budget.

Supervision

This position supervises and trains students working in the shop spaces for coursework and production assignments. It has no full-time direct reports and receives direction from Robert Dutiel, Faculty, Technical Theater.

Expected Hiring Range:

$35-$40/hr

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change

Additional Information

Northeastern University offers benefits-eligible employees a competitive and comprehensive package designed to support your health, financial security, and overall well-being. Employees joining our New York City campus will begin with benefits equivalent to those of the institution formerly known as Marymount Manhattan College until benefits transition to Northeastern's full plans effective January 1, 2027. Northeastern will provide further information in advance of that transition.

Current NYC campus benefits include:

• Medical and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid vacation, sick time, leave of absence, and other applicable paid time off
• Tuition benefits for employees, dependents, and spouses

About Northeastern University

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact.

Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system---which includes 15 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide---serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

The university's residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; New York City, New York, Portland, Maine; Seattle, Washington; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver.

Northeastern's personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment.

Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors---aligned around solving today's highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.

To apply, please visit: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=359d1ac2-756f-4cba-8565-bdc2ef632f9d&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=570941&source=CC2&lang=en_US