Festival Electrician - Becket - Jacob's Pillow

Description

TITLE: Festival Electrician

STATUS: Seasonal

LOCATION: Becket, MA

REPORTS TO: Lighting Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: Production

SUPERVISES: -

WORKS WITH: Artistic Programming; Archives and Preservation; The School at Jacob's Pillow; Philanthropy; Finance and Operations; Video Documentation Team; Facilities, Safety and Security; Visiting Companies Staff and Artists

START: May 21, 2026

END: August 28, 2026

ARRIVAL: May 20, 2026

DEPARTURE: August 29, 2026

COMPENSATION: $ /hr; Time and a half after 48 hours

SCHEDULE: May: 5 day work week

June-September: 6 day work week

BENEFITS (ON-SITE ONLY): Three meals a day, free access to classes, performances, talks, and studio usage.

The Festival Electrician's primary responsibility is facilitating all lighting and electrical elements of non-theater based Festival programming. During the pre-season they work closely with the Events & Operations Production Manager (EOPM) to plan and prepare for events and activities including the annual season opening Gala. They also assist in the installation of lighting systems and equipment into the Ted Shawn Theatre (TST), Doris Duke Theatre (DDT), and ancillary spaces across the campus. During the Festival the Festival Electrician, in addition to taking the lead on all activities and events, supports company load-ins, focuses, technical rehearsals, notes calls, and changeovers in the TST and DDT. They also work closely with the Facilities, Safety and Accessibility Department with installing and maintaining lighting systems in the campus's support spaces and tents.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in the creation of an accessible and collaborative work environment that enables artists and technicians to create together positively and safely.
• Act as the primary lighting point of contact for all non-theater based programming including but not limited to Gala, Pride Party, show specific dance parties, and fundraising and member receptions.
• Attend advancing and production meetings with visiting companies, community partners, and other JP departments to ensure lighting requirements for events and activities are clarified and confirmed.
• Assist the EOPM in maintaining detailed and clear paperwork.
• Actively participate in load-ins, work calls, focuses, notes sessions, changeovers, and load-outs in all venues as assigned by the Lighting Supervisor.
• Program or operate consoles and serve as deck electrician for productions or events as assigned by the Lighting Supervisor.
• Assist the Electricians in troubleshooting system or production based technical issues.
• Assist the Lighting Supervisor in maintaining and repairing rental and house equipment.
• With assistance from the Lighting Supervisor design, document, and lead the installation and use of lighting systems for non-theater programming and campus support spaces.
• Assist in the planning, preparation and execution of Festival exhibitions.
• Assist in the implementation of the weather plan for HJL and other outdoor programming.
• Support the Video Documentation Team in recording all non-theater based programming.
• Manage lighting calls as needed and assigned by the Lighting Supervisor.
• Attend all organizational, departmental and production meetings including a weekly All-Staff Meeting.
• Under the general direction of the DoTP, assist with coordination of emergency response for staff and patrons in the event of an emergency or extreme weather.
• Complete Adult/Child CPR, First Aid, and Cultural Competence Training (provided to all seasonal staff during the pre-season)
• Assist and support other departments, including non-production departments, as needed on use of lighting equipment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of professional theatrical lighting engineering experience.
• Knowledge of and experience with theatrical lighting systems, equipment and standard operating procedures.
• Knowledge and experience with the EOS family of lighting consoles and their programming language.
• Knowledge of DMX, Ethernet, and wireless theatrical networks.
• Knowledge and experience with Google App suite, the Vectorworks suite of software, Lightwright, as well as other industry-standard lighting applications.
• Experience working outdoors or in non-traditional venues.
• Willingness to learn.
• Ability to work proactively, creatively, flexibly, kindly, safely, and collaboratively.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a performing arts educational environment.
• Knowledge and experience in dance production.
• Experience supervising and managing staff and/or equipment.
• Experience working on productions that incorporate robotics, motion capture technologies and extended reality technologies such as augmented reality or virtual reality.
• Experience driving cargo vans and box trucks.
• Valid driver's license.

SKILLS & QUALITIES

• Active commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to read, interpret, and instruct others on lighting plots and paperwork, stage plans, and related technical documents.
• Demonstrated ability to conceive, strategize, manage, and prioritize between multiple projects with accuracy and attention to detail.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Working in wooded areas with exposure to native wildlife including, but not limited to, rodents, ticks, and mosquitos.
• Working outdoors in all weather conditions including inclement weather.
• Working 6-day work weeks including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends during Festival weeks and non-Festival programming.
• Moving equipment up to 50 lbs alone or with assistance.
• Moving through and between multiple locations throughout the entire campus.
• Remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Working at heights above 6 feet and up to 30 feet.
• Ascending and descending straight and step ladders.
• Operating push around or drivable person lifts including at heights.
• Working in show conditions with theatrical and atmospheric elements including but not limited to: fog, haze, strobes, dim lights, and loud sounds.

APPLICATION PROCESS

*We believe that no one meets 100% of the listed qualifications. We are less concerned about whether you've done everything on a laundry list of specific things and more interested in cultivating a pool of candidates who want to join a connected, mission-driven, hard-working team driven by creativity, curiosity, inclusion, integrity, flexibility, and partnership.

HIRING PROCESS

1. Apply: Interested individuals are encouraged to send a cover letter, resume, and references by submitting an application using the "Apply" buttons below. Video and/or lighting applications are welcome (though not required) in addition to written expressions of interest.
2. Interview: Pre-Screen on Zoom, 1-2 interviews with Hiring Manager and other JP staff on Zoom.
3. Supplemental Materials: A writing sample, spreadsheet example, or other relevant materials may be requested from candidates should they be a top candidate.

If you need accommodations to make this application process happen, please connect with us at We will work to support you through the application process via email, phone call, and/or video chat.