Desired Effect boasts a team of expert AV, event, and theatre professionals, bringing theatrical flair to every event. Over two decades, a teenage vision of grand-scale productions has evolved into the vibrant company it is today. A warm and inclusive atmosphere is at the heart of our work. Partnering with leading non-profits, educational institutions, and corporations, we craft unforgettable experiences. Click HERE to learn more about us or explore our job openings below to join our team of of fun, kind, and quirky theatre people.
Desired Effect is proud to be a certified NGLCC LGBT Business Enterprise! We are also an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment, recruitment, compensation, promotions, or any other conditions of employment against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. All qualified candidates will be considered for employment.
Current Openings
Desired Effect is beginning to expand our Design Department. Our current designers are some of the company's longest-standing employees; they independently design full-scale productions for our clients, assist with the design and planning of other events for the company, and help train newer technicians. Our 5-year plan is to have more full-time designers on our team to help make all the various events we support throughout the year possible while continuing to grow our list of clients.
This position has planned growth potential toward full-time exempt (salary) status, with the company investing resources in growth and training. Our goal with the tenure track designers is to build early career professionals into designers with a portfolio and clients within Desired Effect. We have included non-event-specific responsibilities for work in our shop and office within their skill set during less busy times. “Tenure Track” designers are exclusive to Desired Effect. They will get priority on any shifts related to their department, with the understanding that existing freelance clients should be brought into Desired Effect and the work completed within the company.
The Associate Sound Designer will be expected to take primary responsibility for organizing, supplying, and preparing materials for sound designs and implementation for client events, often without supervision on the part of the Lead Designer. The Tenure Track Sound Designer will work closely with the Lead Designer, other Designers, Lead Technicians, and clients. A successful candidate for this position will be highly committed to our company’s goals and personally take responsibility for client satisfaction. The ideal Tenure Track Sound Design candidate must also have in-depth knowledge about audio reinforcement, recording, and editing techniques. They should be willing to bring existing clients to DE with them, prioritize DE work calls, and encourage all clients to utilize DE for rentals.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Sound Designer
- Create script analysis to understand sound requirements in terms of setting, era, and character attributes
- Attend pre-tech/production meeting
- Develop sound plots, input lists, stage plots, SFX schedules, speaker layouts, etc
- Source sound effects with access to DE’s in-house effects library and online resources
- Record/prepare voiceovers & original sound effects and present them for approval
- Act as a designer or lead tech for client shows, working closely with clients to achieve their goals. Communicate with clients to plan, coordinate, and implement their sound needs. This task will necessitate acting as a salesperson with knowledge of Desired Effect’s equipment and service offerings to expand DE’s business.
- Act as Assistant/Associate Sound Designer to the Lead Sound Designer(s). Tasks are to be assigned on a per-show basis.
Lead Audio Technician & Audio Engineer
- Prepare all equipment and attend load-in, tech rehearsals, shows, and strikes.
- Act as the sound engineer, including run tech, show calls, and strike.
- Maintain and repair DE and client sound equipment and report to the Lead Designer which equipment needs to be repaired or replaced. This role may be extended to simple sound or video needs, as DE also serves as the projections engineer or sound designer on many shows.
- Oversee and work closely with client-provided audio staff and volunteers.
- Communicate with clients to plan, coordinate, and implement their sound needs.
- Review Audio Technicians’ work to ensure quality.
Shop Work
- Off-site pre-prep and pre-program of gear for assigned events
- Work closely with Shop Management to prepare rental orders and check in returned rental orders.
- Recommend selection and acquisition of new audio equipment as needed.
- Work closely with shop management to maintain and prepare Desired Effect sound equipment as needed.
Office & Prep Work
- Maintain, clean, and tag Desired Effects sound effects libraries
- Create and maintain training resources for technicians
- Build and maintain DE’s stock resources for repeated shows
- Maintain Desired Effects’ template files, board pre-programs, show files, etc.
- Assist with post-production of recordings for publication as needed
The Lead Audio Tech assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the Lead Sound Designer, Design Department Manager & the Director of Events.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
- High School Diploma or GED
- Two years experience in the audio field with a focus on theatre
- Creative and able to collaborate with others on a single artistic vision
- Organized and deadline-oriented, with strong attention to detail and time-management skills
- A leader who works well in teams, skillfully coordinating individuals to accomplish artistic goals
- Knowledge of basic theatrical directions and terms
- General theatrical knowledge
- Ability to follow directions accurately
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and irregular hours as required
- Hands-on experience with audio editing and recording software such as Logic Pro or Pro Tools, Qlab etc.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
- Bachelor's Degree in Sound Design/Audio Engineering or a related field or two years of experience working in audio at a professional level.
- Experience mixing fullscale musicals with 20-40 wireless microphones and full orchestras
- Experience coordinating a team
- Experience working with children
- Portfolio of completed Sound Designs
- Comfortable climbing ladders while lifting equipment
- Comfortable working at heights ranging from twenty to thirty feet from floor level, and may often call for the use of genies, scaffolding, ladders, and grid work
- Ability to lift 50 lbs with assistance safely
- Valid Driver’s license
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the responsibilities of the Associate Sound Designer, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the one will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may include substantial periods of loud or sudden noise, such as during performances. As the team leader in many situations, the Lead Audio Technician is responsible for ensuring the availability and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) in these and other situations where noise levels in the work environment may be harsh or damaging.
BACKGROUND CHECK
The job may require working in a school environment. Background checks may be required; the client will cover the cost, or Desired Effect will reimburse you. Any information discovered in a background check and deemed unsatisfactory by the CEO and Lead Designer, in their sole opinion, will be grounds for the withdrawal of any offer of employment or termination.
APPLY NOW
Email Resume to jobs@desiredeffect.com
Subject: Associate Sound Designer
Desired Effect (“DE”) is a full-service San Francisco Bay Area theatrical production company. We offer equipment rentals for Lighting, Sound, Costumes, and Special Effects. We also offer full-service design and Technicians.
We are seeking experienced individuals to serve as General Technicians. General Technicians work under the Department Leads to set up equipment for events. This can include but is not limited to: lighting, sound, and video.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
General technician for events
● Works under supervision to hand and cable theatrical lighting fixtures
● Occasionally handle essential light board operation
● Handles incidental notes assigned by the lighting designer or production electrician
● Work under supervision to install the necessary equipment and cabling for all shows, includingplayback, mixers, amps, microphones (if required), Clear-Com; video cameras and monitors for theconductor, stage shots
● Assist in the upkeep, cleanup, and maintenance of work areas and equipmentShop work
● Helps prepare rental orders and check in returned orders
● Helps maintain and test Desired Effect lighting, sound, and video equipment as needed
● Assists in the operations of the Desired Effect warehouse and shop as neededPREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
● Physical ability to climb ladders & lift equipment
● Comfortable working at heights ranging from twenty to thirty feet from floor level, and may often callfor the use of genies, scaffolding, ladders, and grid work
● Ability to safely lift 50lbs with assistance
● Valid Driver’s license
● Knowledge of basic theatrical directions and terms
● General theatrical knowledge
● Ability to follow directions accurately
● Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and irregular hours as required
www.DesiredEffect.com 833.235.3328 1948 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, CA
Position Prole: General Technician
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the responsibilities of the General Technician's job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the Technician will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may include substantial periods of loud or sudden noise, such as during performances.
BACKGROUND CHECK
The job may require working in a school environment. Background checks may be required; the cost will either be covered by the client or reimbursed by Desired Effect. Any information discovered in a background check and deemed unsatisfactory by the Owner and Lead Designer, in their sole opinion, will be grounds for the withdrawal of any offer of employment or termination.
General Technicians may also be asked to train to become:
- Shop Technician
- Install Technician
- Remote/Hybrid Event Technician
- Video/ Podcast Post Production Technician
- Driver (Ford E-Transit, Box Trucks, and Trailer Towing)
APPLY NOW
Email Resume to jobs@desiredeffect.com
Subject: General Technician