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Assistant Professor of Lighting, Sound Design & Technology - 000556
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Position Number: 5818982
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Theatre and Dance

Assistant Professor of Lighting, Sound Design & Technology - 000556

Western Carolina University

Department: School of Stage & Screen

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including: 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

This is a nine-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor. Expected begin work date is August 2025

The School of Stage and Screen at Western Carolina University is seeking candidates for an Assistant Professor of Lighting and Sound Design and Technology. Responsibilities include designing two MainStage productions per year, teaching Lighting Design, Sound Technology, and Vectorworks among other design and technology, and general theatre courses as load and expertise allows. The candidate would mentor student designers, and student workers in lighting and sound. This position teaches on a 3-3 load with releases for MainStage designs. Candidate should possess great communication and collaboration skills and demonstrate creativity in design as well as full and current knowledge of industry safety and best practices.

The School of Stage and Screen at WCU houses approximately 180 students across five degree tracks, and a dance minor. SAS offers a BFA in Theatre with concentrations in Musical Theatre, Acting for Stage and Screen, and Entertainment Design and Technology, a BA in Stage and Screen, and a BFA in Film and Television production. We house a robust experiential curriculum that centers the shared values of storytelling across all degree tracks. We value all voices, all stories, and all perspectives. Our MainStage season includes two musicals, two straight plays, a five episode web series, and a film festival featuring 10-15 of our student films produced every year. SAS is a highly resourced NAST accredited program. Our alumni and faculty can be found telling stories on screen and on the stage across the country.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications: MFA in Lighting Design or MFA in Sound Design with significant professional experience in both.

Preferred Qualifications: Three years of teaching at the University level. Knowledge of ETC ION, and Grand MA3 boards. Candidate with experience in projection design and technology are preferred.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned* and a list of three professional references with full contact information. For questions or additional information please contact Tory Depew at vdepew@email.wcu.edu *All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your masters degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The masters degree transcript must have a notation such as "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/28981