Venues Technician Wanted – Leeds City Council

As a Venue Technician you’ll thrive on providing the highest quality technical support to all users of Leeds City Council venues, using your skills and knowledge to enhance both professional and non-professional events.

It’s not about meeting users expectations – its about going above and beyond to provide the best audio, lighting and AV requirements both creatively and practically, and showing a great empathy with the genre of event.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a venue technician, you will bring to the role:

• Minimum two years’ experience in similar role in professional venue or theatre
• Demonstrable knowledge of theatre lighting, audio and stage systems
• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements within a theatrical environment
• A willingness to work flexibly including unsociable hours
• Knowledge of AV operation and set-up

About the role

As our next venues technician, you will be part of a small but dedicated team responsible for providing technical support at both the Carriageworks Theatre & Leeds Town Hall for all events. These include, but not limited to, the Main Auditorium and Studio Theatre at the Carriageworks Theatre, the Victoria Hall at Leeds Town Hall in addition to conferences and events in ancillary rooms. You may also be expected to undertake duties in other venues in the Leeds area as required.

Every day is different, every performance is different, and you will need to be flexible with the way you work and in the support you give to the differing users of our venues.

The role is integral to our technical team to support the busy program of events, performances and meetings, within the larger Arts, Events and Venues service.

What we offer you:

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Steve Greenwood, Technical Manager: stephen.greenwood@leeds.gov.uk, 0113 378 8185

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK – either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose

The post holder will assist in providing technical support at both the Carriageworks Theatre & Leeds Town Hall for all events. These include, but not limited to, the Main Auditorium and Studio Theatre at the Carriageworks Theatre, the Victoria Hall at Leeds Town Hall in addition to conferences and events in ancillary rooms. The post holder could also be expected to undertake duties in other venues in the Leeds area as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the smooth running of fit ups, get outs and performances, in line with both visiting company requirements and the relevant health and safety legislation.
• To operate sound, lighting and video equipment during performances, in addition to operating house curtains, flying lines and other stage equipment.
• Assist in regular maintenance and testing of a wide range of electrical equipment, in line with health and safety and legislative requirements.
• Assist in the monitoring and maintenance of both the general and emergency lighting appliances and systems, carrying out and documenting lamp rounds as requested and thereby ensuring the correct lighting levels are maintained within all areas of the building.
• Assist in carrying out and documenting weekly fire alarm testing, as required.
• Actively assist in the preparation of meeting rooms for functions and conferences – particularly the supply and set up of audio-visual aids and equipment.
• Work closely with all producers, promoters and clients in realising their productions and events run as professionally and safely as possible.
• To adhere to Leeds City Council’s Health and Safety Policy and other relevant current legislation.
• To carry out any other duties that may reasonably be expected of the Technician.
• To undertake the duties of the Post in accordance with the Council’s Policies e.g. Equal Opportunities, Green Strategy, Health & Safety Legislation, etc.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

• Good English / Maths GCSE minimum
• Formal qualification in theatre lighting, sound and/or stage management preferred.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Minimum two years’ experience in similar role in professional venue or theatre
• Demonstrable knowledge of theatre lighting, audio and stage systems
• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements within a theatrical environment
• Knowledge of safe wiring and rigging of stage lighting and effects
• Knowledge and experience of counterweight flying system preferred
• A willingness to work flexibly including unsociable hours
• Knowledge of AV operation and set-up

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• High level of IT literacy
• Knowledge of theatre lighting and sound design
• Part Electrical Qualification (City & Guilds Part 1)
• First Aid certificate

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