Production Assistant
Location: Hickory, NC
Position Summary
The Event Production Assistant is a vital member of the Conference & Events team, assisting with delivery, setup, on-site client support, breakdown and storage for a variety of indoor and outdoor campus events (e.g., meetings, concerts, lectures, ceremonies and conferences). Reporting to the Production Manager, Production Assistants set up and take down tables, chairs, stages, multimedia and audiovisual equipment, as well as other event-related inventory, and interact with clients and presenters on a regular basis. Production Assistants also support front-of-house tasks and run sound and light boards in various facilities. The role requires confidence, flexibility, collaboration and excellent customer service skills.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Customer Service
- Interact with customers in a courteous, hospitable and efficient manner.
- Acquire sufficient knowledge about events, facilities and equipment so that questions are answered and problems are resolved in a satisfactory and timely manner.
- Prior to and during events, evaluate clients’ needs and determine the best methods to assist and problem-solve, taking public and personal safety into consideration.
Event Preparation
- Transport, set up and strike event equipment.
- Inspect facilities and equipment for any deficiencies.
- Unlock and secure buildings used for assigned events.
Inventory Management
- Assist the team when cleaning, maintaining or performing inventories.
- Locate misplaced items and make minor repairs to damaged event items.
- Assist with the storage, allocation, distribution, delivery, inventory and setup of all non-electrical equipment.
- Sort and prepare event items for delivery.
- Organize, clean, and maintain storage areas, trailers and vehicles.
Technical
- Assist in event preparation and setup for various technical events, including theater and music performances, symphonies and multi-piece bands and lectures.
- Work with various wired and wireless microphones, speakers, basic stage lighting and uplighting in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Once trained, assist in the operation of audio mixing consoles (both analog and digital), portable PA systems and stage lighting systems.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Availability for mornings, evenings and weekends as needed, and ability to work both indoor and outdoor events.
- Attention to detail in event setup, equipment checks and inventory.
- Customer service skills, including courteous, professional interactions with event attendees, campus contacts and presenters.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to work through long stretches of setup or standby followed by short, intense event windows
- Driver’s license (or ability to obtain one) and good driving record.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with sound reinforcement (analog and digital).
- Stage lighting and stage management experience.
- Experience with events or productions on a college campus.
- Experience with scheduling or event management software.
- Bilingual in Spanish.
- CPR and first aid certification (or willingness to obtain after hire).
Reporting
- Reports to the Production Manager in the Office of Conference & Events.
- No supervisory responsibilities.
Physical Requirements
- Some prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
- Must be able to traverse various campus and athletic grounds and facilities.
Work Schedule
- Standard office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; however, candidates must be available outside of the standard schedule as needed based on event schedules.
- Subject to change based on university needs, scheduled events and university growth.
Behavioral Expectations
- Maintain high integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
- Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
- Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment
- Treat other individuals with dignity, respect, and kindness.
- Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards, values, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
Position requirements in the role description outlined above indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list for the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove, or waive the responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position.
About Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive liberal arts institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir-Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.
To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.