Stage Specialist

The School of Cinematic Arts is seeking a Stage Specialist to join its Production & Stage Services group. The School of Cinematic Arts is the premier school for the study of cinematic arts and works on the cutting edge of technology in all aspects of media production.

The Stage Specialist will oversee training, usage, and maintenance of the film and television stages located at the Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts. The stages include multi-camera television studios, a greenscreen stage, and a virtual production stage using an LED wall. This position requires a working knowledge of stage safety, proper handling of stage power distributions systems, extensive experience with grip and lighting equipment, and knowledge of DMX systems.

The Stage Specialist contributes to the development of studio procedures and ensures compliance with heath and professional safety standards. This position will interface with service vendors and suppliers and will work with them to maintain the functioning of the stages.

Additionally, the Stage Specialist will have hands-on experience supporting classes and productions on the stages. This will include working with faculty and training students.

Normal hours are 10:00am to 6:30pm, Monday through Friday, but may adjust for events or changes in curriculum.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Providing tutorials to faculty, staff and students in the proper use of equipment and stages.

• Ensures safe and proper use of lighting grids and fixtures

• Programs and maintains DMX control systems

• Maintains working quality of all the stages at the Zemeckis Center, including stage preparation for classes.

• Conducts facility inspection and secures Zemeckis Center at closing time.

• Tracks equipment inventory and performs maintenance, including high-amperage cabling, distribution boxes, and grip equipment.

• Schedules equipment and stages to meet the needs of students and faculty.

• Performing other related duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree, or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

5 years of experience working on film sets or stages as a grip/electric

Preferred Qualifications:

10 years of experience leading a grip or electric team

Additional knowledge in these areas is a plus:

• Stage design and build-out

• Image-based lighting

• Virtual Production

The hourly rate range for this position is $31.20 - $36.33. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC employees, by virtue of the university’s status as a nonprofit tax-exempt organization, may qualify for public service student loan forgiveness (PSLF).

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Specialized, progressively responsible experience and training in applicable performing or visual arts.