Salary Range: $45,000 - $55,000. Placement in the range is commensurate with experience.

Exemption Status: Exempt

The Dalton School, a progressive K-12 gender-inclusive school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is consistently recognized as one of the preeminent independent day schools in the nation. Known for its child-centered approach and an exceptional, inspiring faculty, Dalton enrolls over 1,300 students with approximately 350 faculty and staff. Guided by the Dalton Plan, the foundation of a Dalton education, our faculty meets each student’s evolving needs, interests, and abilities. Dalton challenges each student to develop intellectual independence, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility toward others both within the School and in the broader community.

Dalton’s Technical Director is an essential member of the team that supports performances and events in the Martin Theater, our school’s main performance space. This position oversees the technical strategy, organization, and implementation of scenic design. This is a part-time, 10-month position. The hours of work will vary depending on the production season.

Responsibilities:

Theater Productions

• Manage the timeline and technical budget for the production of the following events: Middle School Musical, Middle School One Acts, High School Musical, High School Plays, Dance Theatre Workshop, Senior Theater Projects.
• Collaborate with scenic designers to ensure designs are achievable in the available build time.
• Oversee the management and allocation of budget, including receipt management.
• Organize a comprehensive build schedule for the progression of the build, including hiring and supervising specialists as needed. 
• Arrange for any equipment/building or painting material purchase or rental needs, including delivery and pick up. 
• Attend production meetings and take notes for the scenic team. Be responsible for completing notes that are generated during tech. 
• Support and coordinate load in and strikes for productions, including restoring theater and scene shop spaces.
• Assist with electrics and sound load in. 
• Schedule and support students for two to three evening and weekend build calls for each production.
• Be available for all days of technical rehearsals (dates and times to be provided by the Production Manager).
• Be available for all theater afterschool performances to supervisor and ensure safety of the run crew.

Theater Maintenance

• Manage the budget for general equipment and resources needed in the Scene Shop and Electrics Room spaces. 
• This includes purchases for improving and upgrading the space, as well as maintaining the shop and electric room’s organization. Collaborate on recommendations for equipment updates with the Production Manager.
• Keep stock notated to incorporate into the build for cost effects. Materials management to determine when stock needs to be replenished, repaired, or replaced. 
• Hire overhire crews when necessary for maintenance and cleaning.
• General troubleshooting of equipment in scene shop.
• Coordinate repairs with building services.

Assembly Programs & Special Events

• Coordinate and provide support when needed.

Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of structural engineering principles and theatrical rigging. 
• Proficiency in CAD software (Vectorworks/AutoCAD).
• Mastery of wood and metal scenic construction, fabrication techniques, and scenic engineering.
• Ability to climb a ladder, and lift/carry 50+lbs.

Duration: August 2026-May 2027

The Dalton School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, ethnic origin, age, physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by applicable law in the administration of our educational policies, hiring policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletics, and other school-administered programs.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to the employment portal using the following link - https://www.dalton.org/employment

About The Dalton School

The Dalton School is an independent, co-educational day school (K-12), founded in 1919 by the renowned progressive educator Helen Parkhurst. Parkhurst’s visionary Dalton Plan remains the keystone of the school’s progressive educational philosophy and is now the model for over 200 Dalton schools in other parts of the world. The Dalton School is the innovative leader in developing creative problem solvers who identify issues, grapple with possibilities, and design solutions to global challenges from multiple perspectives. Dalton is recognized for its rigorous, innovative educational curriculum and offers its 1,300 students a breadth of stimulating and challenging programs taught by our dedicated faculty. Our high academic standards are complemented by an exemplary performing and fine arts curriculum – taught by faculty who are professionals in their fields – and a full range of athletic teams and extra-curricular activities. The Dalton School actively seeks to forward diversity through its programs and hiring.

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