Head Electrics

Company Overview

About the Chemainus Theatre Festival: Founded in 1993, the Chemainus Theatre Festival is a not-for-profit professional theatre company located on Vancouver Island. The Chemainus Theatre Festival is dedicated to building a just, equitable, inclusive, diverse, and accessible workplace and community. We encourage all interested applicants to apply and will consider all submissions inclusive of all ages, ability, gender, race, ethnocultural identity, or any other basis. With gratitude, we acknowledge the Puneluxutth (Penelakut) Tribe and the hul’qumi’num speaking peoples, on whose traditional territory we work and play.

Job Description

Job Title: Head Electrics

Job Category: IATSE 168 Seasonal Employee

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Production Manager, the Head Electrics is responsible for the coordination and operations of the electrics department. The duties of Head Electrics shall include, but not be limited to the installation, operation, strike, and maintenance of shows, rehearsals, or presentations that require theatrical lighting, sound or video. In addition to the primary focus of work in the Electrics department, the Head Electrics will assist and support other production departments as required. They work collaboratively with the Technical Director, Head of Audio, guest artists and other production departments to ensure the artistic vision of the director and design team is realized on stage while maintaining safe work practices for all production staff and guest artists, in accordance with company policy, Worksafe BC, CAEA, Actsafe, IATSE 168 and industry best standards.

Key Responsibilities:

· Fulfilling all responsibilities in a manner consistent with the Chemainus Theatre Festival’s mission statement, respectful workplace policy and communication credo.

· Upholding the professional image and name of the theatre during all dealings with staff, guest artists and the public.

· Communication of departmental updates in a timely, professional and respectful manner to CTF staff and guest artists.

· Program and operate the lighting console (ETC Ion)

· Program and operate the Qlab computer to cue projections and sound playback

· The installation, operation, strike and maintenance of shows, rehearsals, or presentations that require theatrical lighting, sound or video.

· Adapting lighting, sound and video design elements when required for Relaxed Performances or other specialty programming.

· Creating, modifying and/or interpreting various technical drawings.

· Managing an annual and show specific budget.

· Managing department inventory and repairs or informing the Production Manager when outsourcing may be required.

· Researching, planning, and implementing lighting, sound and video elements for each production.

· Maintaining rentals and/or CTF equipment in good repair.

· Providing a safe, tidy, clean and well-maintained work environment which adheres to company policy, Worksafe BC, CAEA, Actsafe and industry best practices.

· Training, orienting and supervising casual staff as required.

· Attending departmental and company meetings as required.

· Supporting or assisting any of the other CTF production departments as required.

· Other production tasks as assigned by the Production Manager.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

· Post-secondary education in a technical theatre program and/or prior service in a similar position.

· Experience and proficiency in use of theatrical lighting consoles and fixtures.

· Experience and proficiency in use of QLab software for sound and video.

· A collaborative, creative, and strategic thinking individual with experience in not-profit theatre production.

· Self-directed, able to identify and undertake a task with limited direction or information when required.

· Strong organizational, and project management skills.

· Strong verbal and written communication skills.

· Ability to switch focus and effectively prioritize tasks.

· Willingness to learn and develop skills.

· Ability to work well under pressure / deadlines

· Fall Arrest training an asset

· Knowledge of basic rigging for theatre is an asset

· Comfortable working in dynamic and deadline-based environment.

· Holds safety in high esteem and familiar with guidelines and regulations from Worksafe BC, CAEA, Actsafe and Theatrical Industry standards.

· Experience both working alongside a unionized crew and directing a unionized crew

· Strong knowledge of office software an asset (Outlook, Word, Excel, Sharepoint).

· Experience with live audio mixing an asset

· Class 5 BC driver’s license an asset

· Basic First Aid certification an asset

· Available to work flexible hours, evenings, and weekends.

Working Conditions

· Working independently with safety protocols in place

· Frequently working at heights in the Chemainus Theatre grid or using an extension ladder

· Working around and with power tools and power equipment

· Frequent lifting of up to 50lbs: including lighting instruments, ladders, cabling

· Frequent use of stairs and ladders

· Occasional long workdays (over 10 hours in length)

· Occasional driving of company vehicles (owned and rented)

· Frequent working in low-light and varying-light environments

· Very occasional travel may be required

Compensation & Benefits:

· $25.69 per hour in accordance with the CTF & IATSE 168 collective bargaining agreement with benefits as follows:

o 4% Vacation Pay

o 5 sick days per year

o 1% in lieu of health & dental benefits

o 1% contribution to the CEIRP

· 2 Complimentary Theatre tickets to each CTF mainstage production.

· CTF Company Card benefits which include additional staff discounts for the Playbill Dining Room, Gallery Gift Shop, CTF Cabaret Series Tickets and applicable local Chemainus businesses

Hours of Work:

Typical hours of work are 9:00-5:30 during install days and 12:30pm to 10:30pm (with a 2-hr meal break) during show call days with extended days expected in the weeks leading up to each mainstage production.

1,370 Guaranteed Minimum Hours* for the 2026 Season

*Additional hours and/or responsibilities, including the role of ATD, may be offered to the right candidate

2026 Production Dates (dates as currently planned and subject to change)

Show #1 – Godspell

Install, Tech & Notes as called – January 27-February 20

Show Operation as called - February 20-March 29

Strike – March 31

Show #2 – The Ladies Foursome

Install, Tech & Notes as called – March 26-April 17

Show Operation as called – April 17-May 17

Strike – May 19

Show #3 – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Install, Tech & Notes as called – May 19-June 12

Show Operation as called – June 12-August 23 *possible extension to August 30th

Strike – September 1

Show #4 – Peril in the Alps

Install, Tech & Notes as called – September 1-25

Show Operation as called – September 25-October 25

Strike – October 27

Show #5 – The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley

Install, Tech & Notes as called – October 22-November 13

Show Operation as called – November 13-December 23

Strike – December 28

*Possible flexibility of the above dates may be negotiable for the right candidate