Resident Stage Carpenter (Relief)

Requisition ID: 43804 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace.  Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function
This is highly skilled, specialized supervisory technical work, in the provision of stage services for a variety of shows, productions and presentations in the Civic Theatres. The incumbent performs the duties of Head Stage Carpenter in all of the Civic Theatre Venues (QET, Orpheum, Playhouse, Annex & šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn [formerly QET Plaza]) in a ‘relief’ capacity. This would include when a venue Head Carpenter is on vacation, schedules a day off, is sick etc.

The Stage Carpenter is responsible for coordinating and controlling the work of all stage departments and crews to achieve the lessee’s theatrical objectives in the safest and most cost-effective manner possible, advising and assisting theatre lessees on a variety of operational policy matters, and ensuring compliance with such policy if required. Considerable independence of judgement, action and initiative are exercised in all aspects of the work. 

An incumbent of this class exercises a high degree of independence regarding their actions and judgment in all related technical work including planning, advising, safety and supervision of crews. Assignments are received from the Senior Manager, Production who evaluates work performance in terms of the attainment of technical and operational objectives. The incumbent will have a workstation in the VCT Technical office, however, due to the nature of the position will be working in all VCT venues as required. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees all stage technical operations, liaising between all stage departments, the Licensee’s representatives and contractors, and the Theatre’s Audience Services Department, Building Management Department and Administration.
• Ensures that all work is done according to established safety standards and that all equipment and material meet safety standards.
• While recognizing that the casual stage technicians are the employees of the Licensee and in co-ordination with the Licensee’s representative(s), The Head Carpenter is responsible for: determining that all called employees are present and taking corrective action if not; recording/reporting late arrivals; completing daily time sheets; coordinating all crew breaks, end times, call backs and changes in crew; delegating work assignments; informing Senior Manager, production of potential crew discipline; liaising with the union shop steward regarding any contractual disputes; compiling, preparing, distributing and maintaining all applicable paperwork; participating in production meetings and Licensee discussions as required.
• Maintains a positive relationship with clients through effective communication.
• Has a thorough working knowledge of the applicable collective agreements, interprets their provisions fairly and consistently, and advises Licensees of all options available for the most cost-effective results. Provides estimates of crew costs to Licensees and updates Licensees as and when changes occur.
• Investigates and reports all incidents and accidents where injury or damage occurs or could occur and initiates corrective action where required.
• Supervises and coordinates; the load-in, assembly, erection, hanging, building, modification and maintenance of all production equipment and supervises and coordinates the disassembly, packing and load-out of all production material and equipment as well as restoring the theatre’s facilities in preparation for the next licensee. Has a thorough working knowledge of current theatre technology: sound, light and video production, plus rigging and flys
• During rehearsals and performances, liaises with Audience Services for opening the house, starting the performance and for any other special requirements and ensures needed services are provided to the Licensee and their artists and staff.
• In emergency situations (fire alarm, injury, illness) the Stage Carpenter is responsible for life-safety in the backstage area and for coordinating with other departments in ensuring the safety of all personnel, and audience members according to the established safety and evacuation policies and plans.
• Establishes and maintains effective and inclusive working relationships with and between Licensees, theatre staff and stage crew.
• Recognizes that all licensees have an equal claim to service, balancing their needs with their available budget.
• Checks, maintains, orders and replaces stock and equipment and prepares and maintains records of work performed. 
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Completion of two-year college-level related technical diploma or the equivalent, and at least ten years full-time experience at an equivalent level of responsibility in the core area of work following completion of post-secondary education.
• Minimum of the equivalent of two years as a Head Stage Carpenter in a comparably sized theatre with comparable programming, preferably in a similar multi-theatre complex to Vancouver Civic Theatres.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of scenery construction, assembly and handling; stage draperies and drapery track; counterweight flying systems, hemp rigging, stage rigging practices, ropes and knots used in the theatre; stage hardware and fasteners; safe operation of applicable hand and bench mounted power tools; stage terminology and practices.
• Knowledge of safe working practices in the theatrical environment and the ability to increase the level of knowledge as regulations are developed for the industry.
• Considerable knowledge of the staging requirements of a wide variety of theatrical productions and presentations. Ability to provide the services needed when a Licensee does not have production staff of their own.
• Ability to attend courses and acquire certifications as requirements develop.
• Ability to read and understand plans and ‘blueprints’, shop drawings, and hanging plots, and coordinate with lighting, sound and rigging design staff and equipment rental companies.
• Good understanding of stage automation and automated rigging.
• Ability to understand and implement the applicable IATSE collective agreements and administrative policies and procedures of Vancouver Civic Theatres.
• Ability to advise and assist Licensees and other contacts on a variety of technical stage matters, operations, facilities, policies and requirements.
• Ability to work irregular hours and long days with minimal supervision.
• Ability to provide leadership and exercise a high degree of initiative and authority to meet production deadlines; to work to earn the respect and cooperation of Licensee representatives, crew and theatre staff.
• Ability to effectively lead and supervise the work of large crews under demanding and pressured conditions; ability to work to deadlines and with irregular schedules. 
• Ability to meet and liaise with a wide variety of internal and external contacts with tact while instilling a high level of confidence.  
• Ability to prepare and maintain a variety of financial records, reports, crew estimates and related material. 
• Knowledge of computer systems to be able to create and manipulate excel spread sheets and word processing programs, enter and draw reports from a database and the ability to use or learn to use AutoCAD or Vectorworks.
• Ability to perform skilled maintenance and repair work on the equipment and systems typically found in a theatre
• Portrays a polished, professional image. 
• Must work well under pressure and be able to manage deadlines.
• Ability to lift heavy objects
• Ability to work at heights.

Required Licenses and Certificates: 

• Fall Arrest

Other desirable qualifications:

• Large Scale Touring as a Crew Chief or in a Lead position

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200) 

Affiliation: IATSE 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: June, 2025 

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-083: $46.24 to $50.29 per hour

Application Close: May 28, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.