Vacancy at Bush Theatre
Production Technician
Salary
£ 27,500
Bush Theatre
Vacancy listed
19/06/2025
Application deadline
13/07/2025
Details
Technician Job Description
Responsible to: Technical and Buildings Manager
Working closely with: Technical department, Production teams
Purpose of the role
This is a key role, working closely with the Technical and Buildings Manager to be responsible for the smooth and efficient day to day running of the Technical Department and technical aspects of the Bush Theatre’s productions, events and related projects, with a focus on get-in and tech periods where required. You will act as a point of contact for creatives (in particular set, lighting and sound designers) in achieving their artistic vision to the highest standard, within agreed timescales and budgets and be responsible for maintaining all technical equipment as well as keeping up to date with advances in technical equipment that may be used in productions. The role supports the Technical and Buildings Manager with managing the casual technician pool, recruitment and training and assists the Technical and Buildings Manager in ensuring all work and productions meet Health & Safety requirements.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Productions
- To work as part of The Bush Theatre’s production team with the Technical and Buildings Manager and freelance staff on all activities;
- To be a Duty Technician and fire marshall during performances when required (minimum 3 times a week) - powering up equipment for the show, liaising with the FOH team, troubleshooting and powering down at the end of the evening;
- To support the artistic policy of the Bush Theatre and assist the Technical and Buildings Manager as required;
- To assist the whole production team in ensuring the production meets green book standards, ensure that we always strive to work in the greenest way possible and assist the Technical and Buildings Manager in implementing new green procedures and policies
- To liaise with and support freelance lighting and sound designers in particular during tech and preview weeks, and be a point of contact for all creatives across shows;
- To liaise with visiting companies to the Bush Theatre, advising on and supporting their visit to the Bush and being a point of contact for them alongside the Assistant Producer, Producer and Events Manager as suitable;
- To lead, with the Technical and Buildings Manager, on technical aspects of fit-ups and production week, including rigging, focusing, and plotting lights and sound as necessary;
- Manage turnarounds and technical teams as required with support from the Technical and Buildings Manager;
- To work closely with other departments to ensure the building and all events operate smoothly and efficiently.
- In consultation with the Technical and Buildings Manager and Producer;
- a) To operate shows as required;
- b) To assist in the technical set up for performances designated as captioned or audio-described performances;
- c) To keep timesheets and track hours as required by the Technical and Buildings Manager.
Equipment
- To ensure that all technical equipment is properly maintained by ensuring equipment is maintained and tested to the highest standards, particularly during maintenance periods, and conducting maintenance and repairs throughout the year, informing the Technical and Buildings Manager of any maintenance requirements or technical problems;
- Controlling stock, advising on replacement or additional equipment, and ensuring service records and manuals are retained and updated in conjunction with the Technical and Buildings Manager;
- To assist the Technical and Buildings Manager in looking after the building, keeping FOH areas presentable and Office and FOH PAT testing.
- To be responsible for maintaining the theatre, workshop, electrical store, storage facilities and backstage areas at all times;
- To ensure that all theatre areas are in a presentable and safe state, fire exits are clear, and any damaged equipment is reported and fixed;
- To be responsible for organising and fulfilling all statutory electrical inspections including PAT testing of all company equipment, advising the Technical and Buildings Manager and General Manager of any works needing to be carried out;
- To maintain and develop good relations with local and national suppliers, seeking out competitive deals for hires and equipment and ensuring prompt returns at the end of each production;
- To assist the Technical and Buildings Manager & General Manager in implementing all environmentally sustainable initiatives.
- To carry out general building maintenance as required.
Health and Safety
- To abide by and promote the theatre’s health and safety policy in conjunction with current health & safety legislation, and ensure that all members of the acting company, freelancers, contractors and freelance stage management personnel are trained in and comply with emergency and safety procedures;
- To set a good health & safety example to all permanent Bush staff, casual/ freelancers, volunteers & public;
- To ensure that the Bush safeguarding policy and reporting process is adhered to by all permanent staff, casual/freelance staff, volunteers & public;
- To ensure that all technical staff are familiar with the theatre’s fire evacuation procedures, and act as fire marshall as required;
- To work closely with the General Manager and Technical and Buildings Manager to develop and implement risk assessments and ensure that all fit-ups are run in accordance with CDM Regulations 2015;
- To give health & safety inductions to all visiting companies, freelance staff & contractors in conjunction with the Technical and Buildings Manager;
- Be a first aider on behalf of the Bush Theatre.
Casual Staffing
- To deputise for the Technical and Buildings Manager to manage the casual pool including across turnarounds, fit-ups and get-ins as scheduled and to take responsibility for these events on shows as required
- To work with the Technical and Buildings Manager to continue to train the casual pool and ensure they are up to date on latest practices and building equipment.
- Where suitable, to recruit and train up new casual technicians to build the casual pool and to coordinate this with the Technical and Buildings Manager accordingly
General
- Attend read-throughs, sharings, previews, press and supporters’ nights and other Bush Theatre events as required;
- Attend weekly company and operations meetings;
- Actively deliver green policies and practices for the department;
- Adhere to and actively contribute to Bush Theatre policies, including Equalities (including diversity, access, and equal opportunities), Environmental and Health & Safety;
- To work with the Events Manager and incoming events to realise their technical requirements, making them aware of our capabilities, the costs of hiring technical equipment, and booking casual staff for those events as required.
- To assist the Technical and Buildings manager in looking after the building, making repairs, arranging contractors, and reporting issues.
- To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of the Bush Theatre;
- To act always in the best interest of the Bush Theatre;
- Carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required.
Benefits
Other Benefits:
Interest-free season ticket loan (after probation) for employees.
Cycle to work scheme for employees.
Complimentary tickets to all Bush productions subject to availability.
Enhanced holiday and additional holiday for length of service.
Birthday holiday.
Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave policies.
20% discount on food and drink at the Library Cafe Bar.
Access to a confidential counselling service.