Wheeler Theater Technician - Lighting Specialist

Region: Colorado

Location: Aspen

Job Title

Wheeler Theater Technician - Lighting Specialist

Department

Wheeler Opera House

Classification

Non‑Exempt

Compensation

Hiring Range: $27.74/ hour – $31.21/ hour

Salary Range: $27.74/ hour – $41.62/ hour

Position Summary

This position is responsible for the technical aspects of productions and events hosted, presented, or produced by the Wheeler Opera House, with an emphasis on lighting‑related operations. They operate in the lighting department, serving as master electrician, while working across all areas of the production department including stagecraft, audio, and video projection to facilitate the needs of events and guiding technical crews while ensuring a safe environment.

Supervision

Position works under the direct supervision of the Wheeler Production Manager and, as needed, under the functional supervision of the Assistant Production Manager. This position supervises lighting technicians and crew to ensure the highest quality lighting experiences for events presented, and produced by the Wheeler Opera House.

Essential Job Functions Event & Production Support

• Attends meetings as necessary in preparation for upcoming events.
• Corresponds with event producers, visiting companies, and vendors; completes administrative duties such as reviewing production riders, confirming timecards, and completing event reports.
• Assists with the set‑up, execution, and tear‑down for events.
• Under the direction of the Production Manager or Assistant Production Manager, provides technical support for visiting artists, clients, and lighting personnel; demonstrates competency in safely and effectively operating theater audio, rigging, and projection equipment.
• Maintains and safeguards theater assets. Guides facility rental clients and visiting productions on safety protocol and supervises use of Wheeler equipment.

Technical Operations & Lighting Leadership

• Serves as a technical generalist for events.
• Serves as lead lighting technician and electrician for events: configures and programs lighting deployments for various events, ensuring optimal lighting design and coverage for live and recorded events.
• Sets up lighting systems including moving instruments, LEDs, ground rows, and follow spots.
• Provides live lighting design and delivery for a variety of performances, adapting to the needs of artists, directors, designers, producers, and event organizers.
• Operates motorized rigging system for lifting and moving stage equipment.
• Hangs and focuses lighting instruments; programs and operates lighting console to build attractive lighting looks; operates follow spots.
• Operates video projection system.

Equipment Maintenance & Inventory

• Performs regular inspections, preventive maintenance, and repairs on lighting equipment to minimize downtime and extend equipment life; maintains inventory and detailed records of equipment usage, maintenance and repairs; makes recommendations to Production Manager and Assistant Production Manager regarding purchases, upgrades or replacements; maintains a clean, organized and safe work environment.

Safety & Compliance

• Maintains safety of all personnel on stage by ensuring OSHA compliance of stage labor practices and any union requirements of visiting productions; ensures adherence to house policies and safety standards.

Professional Development & Staff Training

• Stays current on production industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in theatrical lighting; identifies ways to continue education and expand skillsets.
• Trains and supervises part‑time, student and volunteer technical staff on proper use of lighting equipment and safety protocol.
• Assists with budgeting for lighting equipment, supplies and staffing.

Budgeting & Leadership

• Acts as crew head, as assigned, in the absence of Production Manager or Assistant Production Manager.

City Organizational Values

• Supports and models the City of Aspen organizational values:
  Service, Partnership, Stewardship, and Innovation; position is responsible for upholding and applying these values while performing daily work functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Service:
  Provides service with excellence, humility,…