University of Southern California
Stage Specialist
Job at a glance
- Pay
- $31 – $36
- Workplace
- On-site
- Employment
- Full-time
- Sector
- Service & Trades
- Posted
- Nov 2, 2026
- First found
- Nov 2, 2026, 4:10 PM ET
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About the job
The School of Cinematic Arts is seeking a Stage Specialist to join its Production & Stage Services group. The School of Cinematic Arts is the premier school for the study of cinematic arts and works on the cutting edge of technology in all aspects of media production.
The Stage Specialist will oversee training, usage, and maintenance of the film and television stages located at the Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts. The stages include multi-camera television studios, a greenscreen stage, and a virtual production stage using an LED wall. This position requires a working knowledge of stage safety, proper handling of stage power distributions systems, extensive experience with grip and lighting equipment, and knowledge of DMX systems.
The Stage Specialist contributes to the development of studio procedures and ensures compliance with heath and professional safety standards. This position will interface with service vendors and suppliers and will work with them to maintain the functioning of the stages.
Additionally, the Stage Specialist will have hands-on experience supporting classes and productions on the stages. This will include working with faculty and training students.
Normal hours are 10:00am to 6:30pm, Monday through Friday, but may adjust for events or changes in curriculum.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to
- Providing tutorials to faculty, staff and students in the proper use of equipment and stages.
- Ensures safe and proper use of lighting grids and fixtures
- Programs and maintains DMX control systems
- Maintains working quality of all the stages at the Zemeckis Center, including stage preparation for classes.
- Conducts facility inspection and secures Zemeckis Center at closing time.
- Tracks equipment inventory and performs maintenance, including high-amperage cabling, distribution boxes, and grip equipment.
- Schedules equipment and stages to meet the needs of students and faculty.
- Performing other related duties as assigned or requested.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree, or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
5 years of experience working on film sets or stages as a grip/electric
Preferred Qualifications:
10 years of experience leading a grip or electric team
Additional knowledge in these areas is a plus:
- Stage design and build-out
- Image-based lighting
- Virtual Production
The hourly rate range for this position is $31.20 - $36.33. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
USC employees, by virtue of the university’s status as a nonprofit tax-exempt organization, may qualify for public service student loan forgiveness (PSLF).
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Specialized, progressively responsible experience and training in applicable performing or visual arts.
USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D**** for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
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