Lighting Specialist

Indiana University
Indiana University

Bloomington, IN, USA

Posted on Jul 24, 2026

JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC (BL-MUS-IUBLA)

Department Specific Responsibilities

  • Oversees all lighting requirements for all events for the center. This includes developing, designing, and implementing lighting for events produced and performed by the school.
  • Facilitates, organizes, and oversees the design implementation of guest lighting designers.
  • Serves as an advisor to the executive director of production for future projects regarding lighting technology and vision.
  • Creates drafting, light plots, and all necessary paperwork for the execution and archival of productions.
  • Collaborates with Head Electrician to maintain and manage the departmental annual budget, crew schedules, and inventory.
  • Coordinates with vendors for equipment rental and purchases to meet vision and design requirement
  • Works closely and in conjunction with the Head Stage Electrician concerning logistics, lighting hangs, focus sessions, advising and facilitating software and hardware needs and implementing policies and procedures.

General Responsibilities

  • Develops lighting designs for the center. Facilitates designs of guest artists, while serving as an advisor and liaison to the guest artists during their visit. Prepares logistics, conducts lighting hangs and focus sessions in advance of arrival of guest designers. Acts as lead console programmer and assistant to guest designers.
  • Functions as lighting supervisor for all opera, ballet, concert and other performance events at the center. Oversees the execution of stage lighting for productions presented by the school as well as the stage lighting for scheduled non-operatic/ballet performances.
  • Advises and facilitates lighting and projection equipment needs and implementation of the equipment.
  • Creates drafting, paperwork, and archival information for the implementation and recreation of productions.
  • Supervises hourly and temporary employees. Provides and may implement processes improvement suggestions.
  • Assists in managing the departmental budget under direction of the executive director of production. Maintains inventory and ongoing equipment maintenance records.

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in related field

Preferred

  • Master's degree in fine arts

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

  • 2 years in related field

Preferred

  • Experience in Lighting Design and implementation in the professional and/or academic arenas

SKILLS

Required

  • Proficient communication skills
  • Maintains a high degree of professionalism
  • Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
  • Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
  • Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
  • Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
  • Highly thorough and dependable
  • Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure

Preferred

  • Working knowledge of CAD/Vectorworks, Lightwright, Watchout
  • Familiarity with all lighting instruments, including automated instruments, projectors, and computerized lightboards and systems
  • Familiarity with photographic and computer software used to create media for projection effects
  • Intimate working knowledge of CAD/Vectorworks, Lightwright, Adobe Photoshop, Watchout, QLab, Isadora, Disguise, Microsoft Excel and Word, and standard computer skills

This role requires the ability to remain in a stationary position as well as the ability to move about the workplace for long durations. It requires effective communication, the ability to operate machinery, tools, and controls. The role requires the ability to ascend/descend ladders/stairs, and to position one's self in low level positions, detect a variety of chemicals and/or gases. The role requires the ability to ascend to rooftops and move in tight spaces to perform and complete inspections. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

IUB campus

Musical Arts Center

This is an in-person position.

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

  • Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
  • Health savings account with generous IU contributions
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • Basic group life insurance paid by IU
  • Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
  • Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
  • Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
  • Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
  • 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
  • Generous paid time off plans
  • Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

Career Level: Career

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Educational Resources & Tech

Job Family: Performing Arts

Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.

Request Support
Telephone: 812-856-1234