Download PROFESSIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title: Costume

PROFESSIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Costume Director
Division:
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Department: Theatre
Location:
Office on Gorham campus with expectation of work/service in Portland,
Gorham and LAC
Schedule:
Regular, full time, with nights and weekends as required
Reports to: Chair, Department of Theatre
STATEMENT OF THE JOB:
The Costume Director provides the professional, technical expertise that results in the
creation and administration of all systems and procedures necessary to construct or
acquire all costumes (costume elements including clothing, wigs, jewelry, masks,
makeup, accessories, shoes, arms and armor, costume props, dying and painting), for
productions sponsored by the USM Theatre Department. These systems include
budgeting money, time and personnel. Other responsibilities include coordinating with
other on-campus departments, prospective and present students, as well as community
contact and suppliers. The Costume Director utilizes extensive technical knowledge and
organizational skills to process a variety of administrative duties while maintaining a
quality learning environment and managing inventory and maintenance of costumes and
machinery.
The Costume Director must always work under rigid deadlines. A significant time
commitment is required to provide the necessary materials for mounting 5-6 main stage
productions while instructing students in accepted theatre industry standards and
techniques of construction and/or design. The Costume Director is personally
accountable for the timely and satisfactory completion of these duties.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
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Assess complexity of required costume designs (including: clothing, wigs, masks, shoes,
makeup, accessories, arms and armor, costume props, dying and painting), and coordinate
construction within the time frame available for costume completion.
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Coordinate with Designer, students of all skill levels and other theatre staff while
supervising construction of all costumes for major productions on the Main Stage. Assist
designers in fittings. Supervisory and hands-on problem-solving responsibilities continue
through the dress rehearsal process and performance schedule.
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Teach Costume Practicum no more than three sections per week, or an equivalent course.
Instruct students in applicable costume construction methods as well as the use of shop
machinery and equipment. Additional courses reimbursed as an overload.
Teach and monitor students who are earning credit for Costuming, Workshop and
Production Management Classes. Instruct students in applicable costume construction
methods, use of shop machinery and equipment and standard wardrobe practices
Oversee the completion of costumes by first dress rehearsal including hands-on work
outside of student lab hours. Develop appropriate procedures and oversee the student
maintenance of costumes during the run of a show. Supervise laundering or dry cleaning
of all costumes as appropriate.
Develop appropriate procedures and supervise student striking of all costumes and
dressing room clean up following the last performance of all productions.
Develop appropriate procedures and provide hands-on supervision for the maintenance
and/or proper care of all equipment, machinery and costume stock.
Assess Theatre Department and student needs and purchase and restock all supplies for
the Costume Shop.
Serve as consultant for all productions in the Lab Theatre and any touring performances
of the USM Theatre Program.
Ensure a safe working environment and teach safety practices to all students and
employees.
Determine, develop and maintain practices for students, other staff and self to follow in
regards to neatness and cleanliness in shop areas. These practices should insure
unimpeded work areas and satisfy safety regulations. Maintain all paperwork as required
by University OSHA compliance.
Serve as supervisor to Work Study and Wardrobe Personnel. Involves day-to-day
supervision and development and execution of training appropriate for each job
classification and development and execution of methods to achieve yearly recruitment of
personnel from eligible student population.
May act as costume designer, for additional compensation, for up to two main stage
shows per season.
Additional duties as reasonably assigned.
SPECIAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES*:
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Direct responsibility for safety and security of employees, students, minors, and/or
visitors or property.
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Direct responsibility for care, safety, and security of minors (under 18), incapacitated
persons, or persons with developmental disabilities who participate in Universitysponsored programs.
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Ability to drive a University vehicle and provide proof of a valid driver’s license.
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Ability to drive colleagues, students or others and provide proof of a valid driver’s
license.
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Ability to provide own transportation (fully-insured vehicle), provide proof of a valid
driver’s license, and compliance with Maine law regarding vehicle insurance.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
See essential functions #1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 and expected compliance with laws
and policies for reasonable accommodation, safety, diversity and affirmative action.
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Administer yearly budget for costuming main stage shows, maintaining inventory,
repairing and acquiring necessary shop equipment, travel and the use of department funds
for student employees.
PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO JOB PERFORMANCE:
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Attends relevant professional activities, present as a speaker as requested, may serve as a
consultant to University and outside organizations.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS:
Internal:
Act as a resource person or advisor for students in their search for contacts in the
Southern Maine community and theatre community at large. Assist in the placement of
students in career enhancing situations as much as possible.
Act as a resource person or advisor for black box theatre or student group productions.
Devise, implement and maintain proper procedures for the use of costume stock by such
groups.
Act as a resource person to University groups and departments. Devise, implement and
maintain proper procedures for the loan to and use of costume stock by such groups.
External:
Act as a resource person to community, educational and professional theatre groups.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
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Ability to independently assess current and projected work load, create and adhere to an
effective, efficient daily, weekly and year-long work schedule.
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Ability to independently assess shop labor needs, develop appropriate job descriptions,
determine student skills and capabilities, and effectively supervise and teach students in
all aspects of costume construction, stock and machinery maintenance, and wardrobe
supervision.
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Ability to administer a complex budget throughout the year that includes all costumes for
main stage Theatre Department productions, shop supply inventory, machine
maintenance, travel, over hire, and dry cleaning.
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Knowledge and expertise in all areas of costume construction, these include patterning,
draping and drafting costumes. Also; millinery, tailoring, alterations, mask making,
makeup application including special effects, arms and armor, costume props, jewelry
making, leatherwork, soft sculpture, dying and painting.
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Expertise in teaching techniques relevant to costuming.
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Knowledge and expertise in the use of all applicable machinery, including sewing
machines (industrial and domestic), overlock machine, blind hemmer, walking foot
sewing machine, steamer and industrial iron. Also, dying and painting equipment,
various hand tools including power tools such as drills, saws, soldering iron, glue gun,
heat gun.
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Ability to instruct students and personnel in the use of all equipment.
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Ability to work effectively with staff and faculty at all levels and supervise recruited
work-study personnel.
Ability to communicate with and encourage communication among designers, directors
and students throughout the rehearsal process.
Ability to organize and maintain the creation and storage of a large stock of costumes.
Ability to assess current and future shop requirements and implement the purchase and
restock of necessary inventory and equipment.
Technical knowledge of costume history and costume construction methods as
appropriate to the given period and style of departmental productions.
Ability to lift and carry stock to a maximum of forty pounds.
Ability to work on his/her feet for extended periods of time.
Knowledge of basic word-processing.
Ability to design costumes, supplying designs in a timely manner to be reviewed and
approved by the director.
Knowledge of all paperwork necessary for purchasing of materials. Ability to administer
a budget as established in coordination with the Chair of the Theatre Department.
Willingness to travel, teach or work at various hours as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
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Bachelor’s degree in relevant area.
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3 years’ experience in professional or university theatre costume shop.
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Demonstrated successful supervisory experience and familiarity with policies for
reasonable accommodation for safety, diversity, and affirmative action.
License/Certifications:
NA
Preferred:
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Experience in higher education environment.
*NOTE: All individuals who are recommended to fill and subsequently offered a position with special essential responsibilities
as listed above, or other licensure or certification, shall have the following additional applicable background screening
completed (in addition to regular and standard background screening) based on the responsibilities of the position: Credit
history screening, and/or Sex offender registry screening, and/or Federal criminal history screening and/or License/certification
verification.
For Human Resources Use
Date Approved:
Date Revised:
Job Family:
Salary Band:
Unit:
CUPA code:
Employee:
Position #:
April 2016
18
03
UMPSA
TBD
00010501