What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Properties position at Colorado State University?
Position Location
Fort Collins, CO
Work Location
Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position
No
Posting Number
202500522AP
Position Type
Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title
Technical/Support II
Number of Vacancies
1
Work Hours/Week
40
Proposed Annual Salary Range
$48,000-$50,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
- Review our detailed benefits information here.
- Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
- For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
Desired Start Date
07/14/2025
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on
05/18/2025
Description of Work Unit
The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (SMTD) at Colorado State University empowers students to create, collaborate, innovate, and inspire. Through teaching, creative artistry, research, advocacy, and service, we elevate arts education. SMTD has 46 tenured and tenure-track faculty as well as 55 contract, continuing and adjunct faculty, and a full time production staff of 10. There are currently over 550 students in SMTD, with 375 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in residential and online degree programs.
The design areas at Colorado State University focus on supporting undergraduate student design through mentorship which includes design in realized production in music, theatre, and dance, which are also supported by a production manager and shop staffs in each area. Most students in the lighting area graduate with a portfolio of realized productions thanks to this student-centered approach, which routinely earns them regional and national design awards.
SMTD is housed in the University Center for the Arts, a nationally recognized state-of the art 350,000 square foot facility, that includes a 550-seat concert hall, a 275-seat organ and chamber music recital hall, a 320-seat thrust theatre, a 100-seat black box theatre, a 200-seat dance theatre, dedicated rehearsal, production and research spaces, along with classrooms, labs and practice rooms.
The design areas at Colorado State University focus on supporting undergraduate student design through mentorship which includes design in realized production in music, theatre, and dance, which are also supported by a production manager and shop staffs in each area. Most students in the lighting area graduate with a portfolio of realized productions thanks to this student-centered approach, which routinely earns them regional and national design awards.
SMTD is housed in the University Center for the Arts, a nationally recognized state-of the art 350,000 square foot facility, that includes a 550-seat concert hall, a 275-seat organ and chamber music recital hall, a 320-seat thrust theatre, a 100-seat black box theatre, a 200-seat dance theatre, dedicated rehearsal, production and research spaces, along with classrooms, labs and practice rooms.
The College of Liberal Arts, within which the school is located, is the largest college in the University. It is a community of arts, humanities, and social science scholars who create and extend knowledge and artistry that develops reflective citizens and confident leaders. We aspire to a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where their talents are fully utilized, and where all individuals can bring their full selves to the role. We promote the CSU Principles of Community – Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Social Justice – https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/resources/principles-of-community/. We therefore encourage applications from all individuals who share these values, and we prioritize a fair and equitable search process that strengthens a creative, and effective community.
Colorado State University (CSU) is a land grant institution with a student enrollment of approximately 30,000 students in over 150 programs, and a faculty numbering 1,700. CSU is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, a beautiful city of approximately 175,000 located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. MarketWatch has listed Fort Collins as the “No. 1 Best Place to Live in America in 2020,” and was also ranked No. 1 for the “2020 Top 100 Places to Live in America” by Livability.com. Additionally, Fort Collins is in America’s top ten for best performing city, safest for driving and cycling, best place to raise a family, and No. 1 in the country for reducing harmful emissions by using alternative fuels and transportation. CSU was recently ranked first among Colorado-based educational employers and fifth among all in-state employers in Forbes magazine’s “America’s Best Employers by State!”
Colorado State University (CSU) is a land grant institution with a student enrollment of approximately 30,000 students in over 150 programs, and a faculty numbering 1,700. CSU is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, a beautiful city of approximately 175,000 located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. MarketWatch has listed Fort Collins as the “No. 1 Best Place to Live in America in 2020,” and was also ranked No. 1 for the “2020 Top 100 Places to Live in America” by Livability.com. Additionally, Fort Collins is in America’s top ten for best performing city, safest for driving and cycling, best place to raise a family, and No. 1 in the country for reducing harmful emissions by using alternative fuels and transportation. CSU was recently ranked first among Colorado-based educational employers and fifth among all in-state employers in Forbes magazine’s “America’s Best Employers by State!”
Colorado State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Position Summary
The Colorado State University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is seeking a Head of Properties for immediate hire.
We seek an experienced Head of Properties with significant professional experience in theatre or opera, and experience in an academic setting, to train and supervise property shop staff and safely deliver our main-stage Theatre, Dance, and Opera productions, currently consisting of three fully produced plays, two fully produced operas, one fully-produced musical, a “workshop” level Freshman project (no major scenic elements), and four dance concerts (with limited scenic elements). CSU productions are designed by faculty and by students; willingness to work with and train developing talent is essential. The Head of Properties position provides practical training and supervision for the CSU Music, Theatre and Dance Practicum (TH186/TH286/TH386/TH486, D286) sections. The Head of Properties may help assist with TH 161 Stagecraft labs as collaborated with TH 161 instructor. The Head of Properties may also be asked to serve on various committees to help in season planning, recruit and retention of students, or to better the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Students enrolled in these courses are seeking Bachelors of the Arts degrees in Theatre (Design and Technology, Performance and Theatre Studies Concentrations), Music or Dance. Up to 80% of their time is spent working with and training music, theatre and dance students. This position requires some evening and weekend calls, as needed.
We seek an experienced Head of Properties with significant professional experience in theatre or opera, and experience in an academic setting, to train and supervise property shop staff and safely deliver our main-stage Theatre, Dance, and Opera productions, currently consisting of three fully produced plays, two fully produced operas, one fully-produced musical, a “workshop” level Freshman project (no major scenic elements), and four dance concerts (with limited scenic elements). CSU productions are designed by faculty and by students; willingness to work with and train developing talent is essential. The Head of Properties position provides practical training and supervision for the CSU Music, Theatre and Dance Practicum (TH186/TH286/TH386/TH486, D286) sections. The Head of Properties may help assist with TH 161 Stagecraft labs as collaborated with TH 161 instructor. The Head of Properties may also be asked to serve on various committees to help in season planning, recruit and retention of students, or to better the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Students enrolled in these courses are seeking Bachelors of the Arts degrees in Theatre (Design and Technology, Performance and Theatre Studies Concentrations), Music or Dance. Up to 80% of their time is spent working with and training music, theatre and dance students. This position requires some evening and weekend calls, as needed.
Required Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Design, Technical Theatre, or General Theatre with evidence of experience in the area of technical theatre and/or film production, OR a High School Diploma/GED plus a minimum of 4 years of related professional experience
- Prop artisan portfolio
- At least 2 years’ experience in a professional or academic theatre
- Experience buying, sourcing, building properties
Preferred Job Qualifications
- Experience maintaining a properties shop
- Experience working within and maintaining a budget
- Demonstrated experience mentoring students and/or interns/artisans
- Prefer to have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category
Properties Training
Duty/Responsibility
- Responsible for training work-study and practicum students assigned to learn skills in the properties shop.
- Work and training includes, but is not limited to, carving, sculpting, texturizing, refurbishment, reupholster work, purchasing, organizing, and paint mixing; interpret technical drawings, and coordinate with scenic designers and staff on most effective way of realizing the design of each production; attend and participate in rehearsals, as needed; ensure that touch up kits are created and stage management and running crew have been instructed in the proper care and maintenance of finished properties; ensure that properties are actively inspected during run of shows and repaired, as needed; read all rehearsal and production reports, and respond, as needed; supervise and assist with production load in and strike of properties, as needed, including, but not limited to properties being returned to inventory and restoring theatre spaces to neutral; maintain and revise build and properties schedule for prop shops, including hours of operation, as needed.
- The Head of Properties will ensure a clean, safe, and efficient working environment in the prop shops and off-site storage facilities, and train staff and students in those areas.
- They will train, coordinate, oversee, and participate, as needed, in the appropriation, construction, alteration, creation, painting, finishing, and setup of properties for productions.
- This position will maintain a properties inventory, tracking and checkout system; monitor and maintain adequate inventory levels of designated materials in the properties shop; perform daily maintenance of tools and equipment, as needed; serve as a resource for: students learning real world skills, professional or faculty directors, choreographers, musical directors, designers, technical staff, and faculty advisors regarding scenic and prop requirements and feasibility for main stage productions and classroom use; provide general scene shop support, as assigned.
- Attend production and staff meetings, as needed.
Percentage Of Time
80
Job Duty Category
Budgeting/Purchasing
Duty/Responsibility
- Coordinate with the SMTD Production Manager to maintain, record, and submit documentation related to university PCARD; coordinate purchasing, ordering, and tracking of all production/consumable materials for the prop shops.
Percentage Of Time
10
Job Duty Category
Supervision
Duty/Responsibility
- Assist with the assignment and supervision of student properties leads for productions; assist with scheduling work-study students in the prop shop; assist with scheduling of practicum students in the properties shops and provide performance feedback, as needed; develop and maintain weekly build schedules, including property shops’ hours of operation for timely delivery of properties and finished scenery to rehearsals and productions.
Percentage Of Time
10
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
Qualified applicants are asked to submit the following:
- Cover letter (includes a statement of purpose related to job qualifications)
- Resume
- 5-7 page portfolio demonstrating multiple skillsets in prop fabrication, ie. woodworking, metalworking, fabric, crafts, faux painting, etc.
- The contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact
Gretchin.Wheeler@colostate.edu
EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
Salary : $48,000 - $50,000
