ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA
Part of the University of Glamorgan Group
Facilities Department
Venues Technician - (Ref: RWC217)
Salary: £18,868 - £21,802 per annum & 10% Shift Allowance
The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, based in Wales' thriving capital city is seeking an experienced and dedicated technician to join our expanding team.
You will be joining Wales' National Conservatoire at an exciting phase in our 60 year history following the opening of our new £22m venues comprising a magnificent 400-seat Concert Hall, the 182-seat Richard Burton Theatre, a contemporary exhibition gallery and a stunning glass-walled foyer, café and bar.
You will be able to support the delivery of the highest quality of technical production for a wide range of college-generated and professional concerts, musicals, plays, recitals and functions.
CLOSING DATE: 12th October 2012
INTERVIEW DATE: 22nd October 2012
FURTHER PARTICULARS FOR THE POST OF VENUES Technician
Eligibility to work in the UK
RWCMD has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
For academic and research vacancies or those that require highly specialised skills and qualifications, we will often be able to obtain a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ for a suitably qualified applicant who is not currently eligible to work in the UK, if there are no suitable ‘resident’ candidates i.e. European Economic Area.
For vacancies that are not academic, research or highly specialist, however, it is extremely unlikely that a certificate of sponsorship would be granted. It is an essential requirement that before submitting an application form you confirm your eligibility by visiting the Home Office website http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/. Here you will find useful information on the Points Based Immigration System, along with a convenient Points Calculator.
ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA
RWCMD is the only institution in the UK that provides specialist conservatoire training in music, acting, theatre design, stage management and arts management. We’re a diverse, inclusive community and have a unique mix of students working alongside each other – musicians, actors, designers and stage managers. Our students work in a down-to-earth, friendly environment and receive excellent levels of support and encouragement from a wide network of professionals. We aim to help our students develop their talents to the full and acquire the skills, knowledge and confidence to enable them to develop and sustain a successful professional career.
Our graduates can be found working in theatres, opera houses, concert halls, film, TV and radio all around the world – many at the leading edge of their profession and shaping the future of those professions. Our teachers have a wealth of professional experience as both teachers and as leading practitioners in the arts industry. The College collaborates with leading arts and cultural organizations, visiting artists and directors to ensure that our environment reflects the current practices and conditions of the professional world. We also draw on a prestigious roster of Honorary Fellows to inspire and advise our students.
In June 2010, the College opened a brand new £22.5 million s suite of world-class training and performance facilities, ensuring that the college continues to provide the highest possible conservatoire training. The new facilities include the Dora Stoutzker Hall (a 420-capacity chamber recital hall), the Richard Burton Theatre (a 180-seat theatre), four new Acting and Movement studios and the Linbury Gallery - an exhibition Gallery to exhibit the College’s award winning design activity.
In the autumn of 2010, the College also launched a new suite of programmes which complement the existing undergraduate and postgraduate courses. These include a new BMus programme which will have specialised pathways within Vocal Performance, Instrumental Performance, Composition and Creative Music Technology. Jazz Studies - a dedicated award - has also been created at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
A number of the programmes build on our well established and respected postgraduate diploma awards. Several involve working across both the music and drama disciplines and have been developed as a result of strategic industry partnerships. The programmes will be delivered by industry professionals together with academic teaching staff who maintain their professional profile through research and scholarly activity.
· MA Acting for Stage, Screen & Radio
· MA Musical Theatre
· MA Opera Performance
· MA Theatre Design
· MA Stage Management
· MA Events Production
· MA Scenic Arts & Construction for Stage & Screen
The developments in the portfolio will ensure that future graduates of the College are equipped with the very best skills needed to meet the changing needs of industry and to provide employers with the flexible and creative workforce they require.
In 2007, the College entered into a strategic alliance with the University of Glamorgan becoming part of the University of Glamorgan Group. In 2009, the College also become the first All-Steinway Conservatoire in the UK.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible to: Venues Manager
Main purposes of job: The Venue Technician will provide high quality technical support for all technical aspects of the College’s work. Working within the core team of technicians, the post holder will have experience of working with orchestras, ensembles etc, be required to display a flexible attitude to work and will deliver diverse technical support for the productions, events, activities and teaching within the College’s venues and spaces, within the context of a national vocational performing arts training institution and a receiving arts venue
Principal responsibilities & duties:
• To ensure the smooth running, as directed by the Technical Operations Manager, of all technical aspects of the College’s venues and spaces including operating sound, lighting or working on stage as required.
• To provide technical support for productions, events, activities and teaching as directed by the Technical Operations Manager.
• To set up and demonstrate the safe use of technical theatre equipment and operations for students and staff.
• To carry out all duties in accordance with the College’s Health and Safety policies and relevant legislation and work in such a way as to promote a culture of safety.
• To assist in supervising visiting technical personnel and student technical teams.
• To furnish rehearsals with appropriate lighting/sound/scenery.
• To ensure the production areas of the College are in a safe and presentable condition.
• To assist in the implementation of PAT testing and ensure all equipment is maintained and is safe for use.
• To attend production meetings and technical department meetings as required.
• To work within a team delivering technical support.
• To undertake appropriate training as required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential / Desirable
a) The ability to work in a well organised and methodical manner and to maintain all deadlines necessary to ensure all performances events and activities run smoothly
b) Knowledge and understanding of the setting of orchestras, ensembles etc.
c) The ability to communicate effectively, calmly and diplomatically with artistes, students and event staff and sustain an enthusiastic approach under pressure
d) The ability to work as a team member
e) A positive, creative approach to problem solving / v) Ability to speak Welsh
KNOWLEDGE
Essential / Desirable
f) Knowledge of Health and Safety and associated regulations in relation to a venue/technical environment
g) A thorough understanding of the relevant technical procedures required in a venue/arts centre
h) A sound knowledge of current IT applications, both general and theatre based
i) Knowledge of relevant industry contexts / w) The wider arts industry context
EXPERIENCE
Essential / Desirable
j) Professional experience of working as a technician for two years
k) Experience of working with professional / community arts companies/groups
l) Experience of lighting and sound design
m) Operation of computer lighting systems
n) Experience of AV equipment, set up and operation
o) Experience of implementing Health and Safety regulations within a public performance venue
TRAINING
Essential / Desirable
p) Hold a recognised qualification or have an appropriate level of experience in the technical field or a related field that supports and develops the skills and abilities required by the post / x) A qualification in Health and Safety at work, with particular relevance to venue and performing arts practice
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Essential / Desirable
q) The flexibility to accommodate irregular working hours and to work within a shift rota system
r) The ability to respond appropriately to student needs
s) The ability to work within a changing environment
t) The ability to act as an advocate for the College
u) A pleasant, professional and positive manner
When completing the application form candidates are required to highlight their suitability for the post by referring their application details to the essential/desirable requirements set out in the Person Specification. This information will be used in deciding those to be shortlisted.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The successful applicant will be appointed to the post of VenuesTechnician, in the service of the RWCMD.
CONTINUOUS SERVICE
Your continuous service will commence on your first day of employment at RWCMD. RWCMD does not recognise continuous service with other employers in any respect except in accordance with the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government, etc) (Modification) Order as amended.
STAFF APPRAISAL AND DEVELOPMENT
You will be required to participate in the Staff Appraisal and Development Scheme for Support Staff.
This Scheme is the means by which your individual work objectives will be set, annually. It is also the means by which your learning, training & development needs will be identified to support you, throughout your employment with RWCMD, in the achievement of your objectives. The College expects a commitment to such personal development from all its staff, and it is intended that this should be planned, and effectively evaluated to assess its impact upon performance.
Staff Training & Development is therefore recognised as a fundamental part of the College’s Human Resources Strategy and is an important key to the achievement of the College’s Vision and Strategic Goals.
GRADE/SALARY
The post is graded Grade C, and the salary is currently £18,718 - £21,652 per annum & 10% Shift Allowance. Common practice is to appoint people to the minimum of the grade.
TENURE
This post is a permanent appointment.
PROBATION
New entrants to the service of the College are appointed subject to a probationary period of not normally more than 6 months, during which time we will seek to confirm their suitability for the post.
MEDICAL CLEARANCE
All posts in the College are offered subject to medical clearance. If appointed, you will be required to complete a questionnaire (confidential to the College’s Medical Adviser) detailing your medical history and you may be requested to attend a medical examination.
HOURS OF WORK/WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
The post-holder will be contracted to work 37 hours per week. However, a Scheme of Flexible Working Hours is in operation, and is based on 4-weekly Accounting Periods of 148 hours. Staff are expected to arrange their times of work to have regard to personal workload, the overall pattern of work in their work location, the wishes of the Head of Department and cover for the Office Opening Hours (which are 0830 - 1700 Mondays - Thursdays, and 0830 - 1630 Fridays). The successful applicant will be provided with a copy of the Operating Rules.
LEAVE
The annual leave entitlement is 22 days plus statutory and other holidays per annum.
PENSION ARRANGEMENT
You will have the option of joining the Local Government Pension Scheme and contributions will be made at rates of between 5.5% and 7.5% of gross salary dependent into which pay band your salary falls; or you can take out apersonal pension with an approved provider.
TERMINATION
The appointments are terminable upon one month’s notice from the individual or the College may give you 1 month’s notice between 1 month and 4 years service; thereafter, one week's notice for each year of service, up to a maximum of 12 weeks notice.
HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
ALL STAFF
All staff are responsible for the health and safety of both themselves, and others upon whom they may have an effect. All staff must co-operate with the University in achieving its Health and Safety objectives. More detailed generic responsibilities are included in Appendix 7.3 of the University health and safety policy.
LINE MANAGERS
All staff are responsible for the health and safety of both themselves, and others upon whom they may have an effect. All staff must co-operate with the University in achieving its Health and Safety objectives.
Additionally, each Line Manager is responsible for the detailed adoption of the University's Health and Safety Policy, within their span of control. More detailed generic responsibilities are included in Appendix 7.3 of the University health and safety policy.
APPOINTMENTS PROCEDURE
Referees
Candidates should note that the Univeristy of Glamorgan Group normally contacts referees for those shortlisted without further advice to candidates.
If you do not wish a referee/s to be contacted, prior to interview, you should state this clearly.
Internal candidates should supply details of one referee only, being their Head of Department or Line Manager.
External candidates will be asked to supply three referees.
PROGRESS OF APPLICATIONS
If you are successful in being selected for interview for the above post, you will be notified within 6 weeks of the closing date. If you have not heard by this date, then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and to wish you luck in your application.
CLOSING DATE: 27th February 2012
INTERVIEW DATE: 2th March 2012
Ref: RWC217