Properties Master (Performing Arts Technician I)

Job Title

Properties Master

Classification

Performing Arts Technician I

Auto Req. ID

558491

Salary Range

Classification Range $3,721 - $5,420 per month

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $3,721 - $4,574 per month)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM         

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

Cal State Fullerton’s College of the Arts within the Division of Academic Affairs is an essential part of the creative fabric of Southern California, proudly serving as both an academic and cultural resource. We are a living laboratory for the arts, where success is measured in lines of dialogue, phrases of choreography, sheets of music and slabs of clay. Our alumni leave lasting legacies by contributing to the vitality of the arts nationally and globally and can be found in all facets of the thriving art and entertainment industries. We seek an exception individual to join our Theatre/Dance team as the Properties Master (Performing Arts Technician I). The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude and an active, energetic mind characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the faculty Scenic Designer, the Properties Master independently fabricates, adapts, selects, rents, and borrows properties — including furniture, puppetry elements, fabric goods, food items, household objects, and small hand props — ensuring each production is equipped with the elements needed to bring designs to life. The Properties Master (Performing Arts Technician)works closely with faculty and student designers throughout the production process, from early planning and problem-solving through load-ins, technical rehearsals, and strikes. Using technical skill, resourcefulness, and a thorough understanding of production goals. Dresses sets in consultation with the faculty Scenic Designer and improvises solutions for special property elements as needed. Responsible for the overall management of the props shop and storage areas, including maintaining accurate inventories, coordinating the use of department-owned and borrowed materials, establishing checkout procedures, ordering supplies, and ensuring all workspaces remain clean, safe, and compliant with Cal OSHA regulations and hazardous materials requirements. Trains and supervises students and production assistants in all aspects of properties fabrication, installation, operation, repair, and maintenance. Establishes work schedules, assigns tasks, approves timekeeping entries, and ensures quality of work across all production phases while fostering a safe and professional shop environment. Other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

Competition of professional training or applicable college coursework and practical experience. A minimum of one year of experience working for a theater, repertory, or stock company engaged in the applicable production specialty such as costume construction, stage and set construction, lighting production, and/or sound and audio production. Working knowledge of design principles and the ability to translate design specifications, blueprints, or drawings into applicable costume, scenery, lighting, and sound production. Ability to identify and appropriate materials and supplies needed for projects and manage materials budgets for production specialty and specific projects. Foundational knowledge of applicable software packages for the production specialty. General knowledge of historical periods as they relate to the production specialty. Working knowledge of and ability to use the patterns, methods, materials, and equipment involved in the construction and reconstruction of costumes and related accessories. Ability to assist in the training and supervision of students involved in productions. General knowledge of methods and problems related to applicable production specialty area.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.  

Preferred Qualifications

Previous practical theatre properties construction, procurement, and painting/finishing. Ability to work well with students of all skill levels. Knowledge of computer assisted design/drafting (Vectorworks). Knowledge of and experience in all aspects of properties construction including furniture construction and upholstery, molding and casting, sculpting with foam and other products, sewing, MIG welding and metal fabrication. Knowledge of special effects, period weaponry of all types, period fabrics/floor, period practicals, period furniture, and decorative pieces. Familiarity with relevant professional organizations and activities. Must have the ability to meet department production deadlines and scheduled openings.

License/Certifications

A valid California driver’s license.  Basic first aid certification.

Special Working Conditions

Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator

Benefits at a Glance

• An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability
• Retirement plan through CalPERS
• Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible
• FlexCash (in lieu of health and dental)
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 15 paid holidays

See our CSUF Benefits website for additional information.

Additional Information

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based on regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

The scope of responsibilities for this position includes the making or participating in the making of decisions that may have a material financial benefit on the incumbent. Therefore, you will be required to file an initial “Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interests” within thirty (30) days from date of hire and on an annual basis; and complete the CSU sponsored ethics on-line training within thirty (30) days of appointment, and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years following the appointment.

The person holding this position is considered a general mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirement outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff position and an Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job-related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.  

Online application/resume must be received by electronic submission on the final filing date by 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)/midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Applicants who fail to complete all sections of the online application form will be disqualified from consideration. 

California State University, Fullerton is not currently sponsoring any new H-1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.

Effective October 1, 2025, the California State University (CSU) will implement a salary step structure for CSUEU-represented employees in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9. This position may be subject to changes resulting from this implementation, in alignment with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

Hiring Preference

On-Campus CSUEU Employees