POSITION DESCRIPTION: Orchestra Technician

Orchestra Victoria is one of two specialist opera and ballet orchestras in Australia. Established in 1969 as the Elizabethan Melbourne Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria is the performance partner of The Australian Ballet, Opera Australia and Victorian Opera. The Company performs regularly in the State Theatre and other professional venues in Melbourne, Victoria, and from time to time performs interstate with its national performance partners.

Beyond its activities in the theatre pit, Orchestra Victoria also presents concerts and education workshops in regional and outer metropolitan centres across Victoria. In 2018 Orchestra Victoria delivered 181 performances to 177,707 people in Victoria, and 6,568 in Canberra. The mOVe! education program also provided music development opportunities for 182 young regional musicians and teachers from 59 schools.

Orchestra Victoria has performed in partnership with The Australian Ballet for over 40 years. In 2014 Orchestra Victoria became a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Australian Ballet.

Orchestra Victoria’s administrative offices and rehearsal studio are located at 77 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank.

Role overview

The Orchestra Technician is part of a small orchestra management team responsible for the technical and staging operations of Orchestra Victoria’s performances and other activities. The Orchestra Technician will work closely with musicians, partner company management, artistic staff, contractors and the wider Orchestra Victoria team to deliver high quality events. The Orchestra Technician will be a motivated and proactive person, able to work on their own initiative, take on responsibility and to fit into a small team working to a consistently high standard.

The Orchestra Technician has primary responsibility for operational and technical planning for Orchestra Victoria performances and events, acts as duty manager for orchestral calls, and maintains all company owned assets. A key focus for this role will be involvement in risk assessment procedures and implementing noise mitigation strategies. This role would suit a technical all-rounder with experience in lighting and sound, some knowledge of orchestral staging, an aptitude for technical tasks and ability to learn new systems.

The position is Melbourne-based but may require travel within Australia. Hours of work are varied to accommodate the performance schedule of the Company and will include work on weekends and in the evenings.

1. SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational and Technical • Duty management for OV performances as required, including, but not limited to: o Running a performance or rehearsal as lead duty manager, or assisting the lead duty manager: ▪ Supervising casual operations staff undertaking duty management roles ▪ Liaising with musicians, OHS representatives and presenting company/venue personnel ▪ Communicating/disseminating information as required, including noise strategies/signage ▪ Leading venue inductions as required in consultation with DOM, Operations ▪ Monitoring attendance, addressing personnel absences, and completing show reports o Setting up and packing down and adjusting pit equipment, including supervising performances and rehearsals and attending to musicians’ requirements o Implementing noise mitigation strategies, including screens, Goodears, risers and PPE in liaison with HOM o Undertaking noise monitoring as required, including the setup of monitors and analysis of audio levels in consultation with HOM and relevant staff: ▪ Building and maintaining a database of noise levels and associated pit plans/strategies ▪ Liaising with relevant staff, including key partner company contacts, and benchmarking industry approaches to managing noise levels o Undertaking risk assessments and incident management in liaison with HOM o Responding to incidents, and keeping records of hazard and incident reporting and responses in liaison with HOM • Planning and set up for OV rehearsals and performances, including bump in/out’s • Drafting seating plans for all OV performances using appropriate software tools, and in consideration of artistic and OHS considerations, and in consultation with relevant staff • Coordinating technical requirements for all OV activities, including performances, public and internal events, meetings and auditions, including: o Assisting with set up and usage of audio-visual equipment and recordings • Coordinating instrument and equipment needs for performance activities including repair, replacement, piano tuning, pack lists as required: o Coordinating instrument maintenance and hires including asset and insurance register and recommended purchases

Health and Safety • In consultation with HOM, ensure OHS policies and procedures are adhered to, and if undertaking duty management that hazards and incidents are responded to and documented and communicated as identified through risk assessment procedures. o Ensure risk assessments are completed for all projects in collaboration with HOM o Ensure noise readings are gathered, documented and communicated as identified through risk assessment procedures in consultation with HOM • Orchestra Victoria values are known and adhere to in consultation with HOM • Workplace first aid officer

Other • Oversee facility requirements for OV office and rehearsal spaces, including external casual hire bookings • Supervision and training of casual operations team members in consultation with DOM, Operations and HOM • Attendance at meetings as required, such as Workplace Relations Committee

2. PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential • Knowledge of orchestra performance practices and instruments, particularly orchestral set ups, and/or equivalent knowledge and relevant experience • Experience working in an arts company, preferably in an operations or technical position • Excellent understanding of sound and lighting equipment, particularly audio monitoring and/or recording equipment • Excellent collaboration and communication skills, and the ability to work well in time- pressured environments to support the company’s artistic outcomes jointly, in a team, or autonomously as required • Excellent organisational and time management skills, including the ability to multitask and meet strict deadlines with attention to detail • Demonstrated initiative, excellent problem-solving skills and a positive, flexible, customer service approach to delivering high quality orchestral services to presenting companies • Experience assessing risks an implementing risk management strategies, including incident response and reporting • Driver’s license (heavy rigid an advantage) • Ability to work irregular hours including evenings and weekends, and travel with the orchestra as required Desirable • Experience working with opera or ballet companies • Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word, and experience with ArtsVision or other scheduling software, particularly: o Visio or other computer aided drawing experience • Formal training in music or related disciplines, and/or equivalent knowledge and experience

3. ORGANISATIONAL VALUES:

• Inspiration and quality • Custodianship and innovation • Collaboration and partnership • Teamwork and respect • Social responsibility

4. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

• Musicians are supported in the delivery of performances to the highest standards • Positive feedback from performance partners and other external stakeholders • Risk assessments and noise management information are compiled thoroughly and promptly, and effectively communicated • Instruments and equipment are proactively inventoried and maintained

• Information is communicated clearly and in a timely manner • Attention to detail is displayed in all facets of work • Work is accurate and of a professional standard • Working relationships are friendly and constructive • Casual operations team members are appropriately trained and supervised

5. FEEDBACK AND ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW:

Each member of Orchestra Management will actively participate in an annual performance review. The review will focus on fulfillment of the Specific Roles and Responsibilities and the achievement of the Key Performance Indicators together with planning objectives for the forthcoming year. Orchestra Victoria will support identified resources and training required to achieve the objectives.

6. KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Reporting to: Head of Orchestra Management (HOM) Work Team: Orchestra Management Direct Reports: N/A Key Personnel: Orchestra Manager (Team) Deputy Orchestra Manager, Operations (Team) Casual Operations Assistants (Team) Orchestra Musicians, Orchestra Project Manager, Artistic Director

7. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:

Due to the geographic layout and nature of work the Orchestra Technician will be required to undertake a diverse range of tasks which may require various forms of mobility and more involved manual handling for bump-in/out and set-up changes for the orchestra.

Element Weight range / Assistance available Maximum activity frequency Undertake administrative Sitting, reaching, Ergonomic work Daily tasks including intensive bending, twisting stations keyboard/computer work Use technology including Reaching, twisting, Ergonomic work Daily computer, printer, scanner, stretching, bending stations binding machine and photocopier Undertake manual handling Lifting, stretching, Appropriate storage Daily of equipment such as music carrying, bending equipment and stands and chairs, trolleys instruments and moving road cases Travel Sitting Appropriate luggage Occasionally supplied by employee

10. DATE: February 2019

Authorised by Sara Pheasant Executive Director, Orchestra