Technical Assistant

Job Advert

**Technical Assistant (The Beacon)**

**Salary and grade**: £24,657 - £26,369 per year, Grade 2 (pro-rata)

**Duration of role**: Permanent

**Hours**: Part time, 20 hours per week

**Location**:The Beacon, Wantage and Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot

**Closing Date**: 23/09/2024

**About the role and what we’re looking for**

The Beacon is an up & coming arts centre in Wantage, and Cornerstone is professional arts, culture and entertainment venue in the heart of Didcot. The centres host a range of professional performances including dance, theatre, music, comedy, conference and cinema, and also cater extensively for wider community projects such as workshops, classes, exhibitions and lectures.

We are seeking an experienced and pro-active Technical Assistant to join our technical department and assist our existing team in the running of performances and events across both centres.

**Main duties and responsibilities**
- Prepare the auditoriums and other spaces in advance of a visiting company or hirers arrival, including setting up of technical and other equipment to meet the requirements of the performance or event.
- Act as Duty Technician and venue point-of-contact for visiting companies and hirers whilst they are in the building.
- Act as a Fire Warden whilst on duty.
- Operate live shows in a variety of roles to a high standard for companies/hirers without their own crew.
- Work with visiting companies and hirers to ensure the show or event is presented to the highest standards expected by our audiences.
- Be jointly responsible with the Technical Co-ordinator for the maintenance and upkeep of technical equipment.
- Assist with other technical and building maintenance jobs around the venues, including room set ups & take downs
- Carry out any other tasks that will, from time to time be allocated by the Technical Co-ordinator or Venue Manager commensurate with the general level of responsibility of the post.
- Assist the Technical Co-ordinator in the training and orientation of casual technical staff.
- Perform all duties either independently or as part of a small team.
- Perform all duties in a safe and timely manner whilst adhering to all relevant industry health & safety, fire and licensing laws/regulations.
- On occasion, act as key holder to secure the building.
- Maintain a high standard of tidiness and personal organisation throughout the venue, including adhering to established inventory management procedures.
- Offer a warm and welcoming face to all our users and clients.
- Promote and adhere to the council’s vision and values.
- The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.

**About you**

**Your essential skills, knowledge and experience**
- Experience of operating sound, lighting and AV equipment in a professional venue, tour, or live events setting.
- Experience of working on a range of genres - music, theatre, comedy, dance, children’s shows, and talks.
- A positive and pro-active approach along with a keen eye for detail and an aptitude for problem solving.
- The ability to prioritise workload and schedule accordingly.
- Good technical maintenance skills.
- Excellent communication skills both written and oral with a range of users including; visiting companies, hirers and other departments.
- A good knowledge of industry related health and safety regulations and statutory requirements for operating sound, light and other technical equipment.
- Ability to work at height.
- Good IT skills including experience of Microsoft Programs.

**Your essential qualifications**
- GCSEs including in Maths and English

**If you have the following experience or qualifications - it’s a bonus**
- Experience of Live Sound Engineering and theory
- PAT testing qualification and/or experience
- Relevant qualifications in technical work in an arts setting
- Working at Height certification
- Full, clean UK driving license

**The benefits we offer**
- A basic 25 days annual leave per annum, rising to 30 days after five years. You also have all the bank holidays to look forward to and time off between Christmas and New Year.
- Flexible working and annualised hours - a flexible approach to work that our employees love
- Salary pay awards - most jobs give scope for a pay increase after six months or the following April (depending on your start date) and we also review salaries each April.
- A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary
- The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme (cheaper than directly through a store) so that you can cycle to work
- Various schemes to keep you healthy (reduced gym membership, free swims, free eye tests for DSE users and more)
- We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community.
- A range of resources, sup