Assistant Professor of Scenic and Lighting Design

The candidate will be expected to teach a range of courses, including Introductory Lighting Technology, Scenic and Lighting Design, CAD Rendering and Drafting, and Intro to Design. Additional courses may be developed depending on the areas of expertise/needs of students.

The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester, six of which encompass shop and production hours; some assigned courses may be taught on-line, hybrid, or via distance delivery modalities. Scholarship in discipline, involvement with advising, and service to the department and profession are expected.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide scenic and lighting designs (or supervise student designers) for three mainstage productions (two theatre and one dance) and teach two 3-credit hour classes each semester.
• Supervise (along with Technical Director) execution of scenic and lighting designs during daily student-staffed shop production hours
• Utilize D2L for course syllabus and gradebook
• Prepare and grade assignments, assessments
• Advising for Design/Tech majors
• Scholarship (Creative Work)
• Service to the Department and University via committee work

Minimum Qualifications Required:

• M.F.A. in Scenic or Lighting Design, with significant professional experience in the other discipline. Degree must be from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for teaching, teamwork, and collegial problem-solving.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Three years’ experience in college-level teaching and designing scenery, props, and lights.
• Experience in stage management, projections, and dance lighting.

Salary: $52,000.00 – 54,000.00.
Commensurate with education and experience.
Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!

Department: Colorado Mesa University

Employment Type: Faculty

HOW TO APPLY
 
Application Deadline:
To ensure full consideration, complete applications must be received by 2/16/2025.

How to Apply:
Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information. The following are required for a complete application:
• Letter of Application (addressing minimum and preferred qualifications, ability to perform duties listed, and overall teaching philosophy).
• Curriculum Vitae
• Access to a website or digital portfolio of lighting and design work
• Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (If your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire).
• Three letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your ability to perform the job for which you are applying.

APPLY ONLINE:
https://coloradomesa.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/1213?c=coloradomesa

Direct Inquiries Contact: Jill Van Brussel jvanbrussel@coloradomesa.edu

ABOUT COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY

A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings.

Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.

At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students’ interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands.

The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that’s less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.

Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed.