Technical Jobs

Technical staff are responsible for stage management (70% of shifts), video streaming and recording (15% of shifts), archival audio recording (10% of shifts), and speech mic operation (5% of shifts) in support of over 500 services a year including rehearsals, concerts, rental events, and other productions taking place in the Bienen School of Music’s venues.

All technical staff are trained and work as stage managers, and are encouraged to complete additional trainings in order to rotate into recording, speech mic operation, and video roles.

Wage: Base: $14/hr.; Maximum: $18.00/hr.; Work-Study preferred, but not required. (Wage increases contingent upon training, performance, and tenure.) 

Supervisors: Technical Services Managers

Note: Technical staff must be able to lift up to 70 pounds (32 kg).

Location: In-person shifts at Northwestern's Evanston Campus in Bienen School of Music performance venues

Hours and Scheduling: Hours of employment for technical staff are in effect every week of the academic quarter, including reading and exam weeks. Shifts occur regularly in the evenings and less frequently during the day throughout the week and weekend. Staff members are given access to a shared calendar, and request shifts in advance according to their availability and training level. Unfilled shifts are assigned based on staff availability.  Individual or group trainings outside of events are scheduled with the supervisors. Staff members are expected to work a minimum of ten shifts per quarter, approximately 5-10 hours per week.

General Duties:

1. Represent the Concert Management Office (CMO), Bienen School of Music, and Northwestern University with professional-quality technical services support for performances or activities in all Bienen School of Music performance venues
2. Proactively assist all performers, faculty, staff, guest artists, and outside technicians with their technical requirements
3. Ensure adherence to venue, Concert Management Office, Bienen School of Music, and Northwestern University policies and procedures
4. Manage personal schedule to ensure punctuality and attendance reliability
5. Diligently take notes and complete all shift reports
6. Check University email daily for scheduling updates
7. Complete availability poll every two weeks
8. Accurately log hours in Northwestern University’s payroll system

Specific Duties:

1. Ensure the positive and efficient execution of performances or activities in all Bienen School of Music venues through stage and time management
2. Interact with conductors, performers, guest artists, ensemble staff, Northwestern University faculty and staff, Bienen School of Music faculty and staff, renters, and outside technicians to obtain essential performance or activity information
3. Coordinate and execute all set-up, set-changes, and strikes of stage equipment
4. Supervise and execute proper keyboard instrument care, movements, and lid configuration changes
5. Oversee organization, minor maintenance, cleaning, and monitoring of stage equipment inventory
6. Operate theatrical lighting equipment
7. Assist PA Technician, Recording Technician, Video Technician, House Manager, Head Usher, and other CMO staff as necessary
8. Occasionally assist visiting technical staff and contractors with load-in, set-up, strike, and load-out of stage and audio/video equipment
9. Clean venues including backstage and storage areas

Specific Duties:

1. Set-up, set-change, and strike all necessary sound reinforcement equipment

2. Operate one speech microphone using a variety of mixing consoles and PA systems

3. Oversee organization and monitoring of audio equipment inventory

4. Assist Stage Manager, Recording Technician, Video Technician, House Manager, Head Usher, and other CMO staff as necessary

Specific Duties:

1. Record audio using installed primary and backup recording systems
2. Oversee organization and monitoring of recording equipment inventory
3. Assist Stage Manager, PA Technician, Video Technician, House Manager, Head Usher, and other CMO staff as necessary

Specific Duties:

1. Coordinate with performers and stage manager to determine framing and exposure settings
2. Video record and livestream concerts and other events with installed video systems
3. Monitor livestream throughout events to identify problems
4. Assist Stage Manager, PA Technician, Recording Technician, House Manager, Head Usher, and other CMO staff as necessary