Costume Shop Floor Supervisor
Seattle, WA
Seasonal
Experienced
COSTUME SHOP FLOOR SUPERVISOR
Location: SEATTLE, WA
FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT, HOURLY
Position Status: SEASONAL, PART-TIME
Position Location: SEATTLE, WA
Compensation: Effective July 1, 2025, per CBA, the hourly pay will be $1.50 overscale for a total of $38.37 per straight time hour. Pay increases as scheduled by the I.A.T.S.E Local 887 CBA.
Reports to: COSTUME SHOP MANAGER
Preferred Start Date: August 25, 2025
POSITION SUMMARY
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. To perform this job successfully, an individual should be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily:
Costume Construction Supervision
- In collaboration with the Costume Shop Management Team, supervise workroom teams and serve as the project manager for the costume construction during each production period.
- In collaboration with the Costume Shop Manager, coordinate scheduling, assign workloads, and update supply lists to maintain an efficient and smooth running department.
- Understand and follow conditions of the IATSE Local #887 contract. Ensure that workroom staff follow the work conditions and requirements set forth in the CBA and with Seattle Opera policies.
- Help Costume Shop Manager maintain a productive and collaborative work environment by providing opportunities for open communication and by mediating issues between workroom staff.
- Confer with Costume Shop Manger as needed to create and update estimates of personnel needs and materials requirements for construction and/or repair items as well as other special projects in a timely manner.
- Help the Costume Management Team to create and update fitting lists, services and schedules for each production.
- Depending on the employee’s individual skillset and the support needs of each production, the Costume Shop Floor Supervisor will be asked to perform work constructing costume pieces which may include any of the following:
- Garment patterning (create and true patterns), fabric prep and cutting, and construction as needed.
- Attend fittings and make alterations as needed.
- Confer with Team Leads to provide the Costume Shop Manager a weekly update of costume piece timelines and progress.
- Collaborate with Designers and/or Assistants.
- Maintain safe working conditions in work areas consistent with current State and Federal Safety Regulations. Report any unsafe conditions immediately to the Costume shop Manager.
- Help maintain equipment in safe operating condition.
- Keep the Costume shop Manager informed of all shop supplies, notions, hardware, and show materials needs on a weekly basis.
- Maintain records and operational notes per production as requested.
Position requirements
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Education:
- Bachelors in Theatre Costumes or similar studies, or equivalent work experience.
- Five or more years of professional work experience in theatrical costume shops.
- The candidate should be a member in good standing or be willing to join IATSE Local 887.
- Current CPR/First Aid certification is preferred. Seattle Opera also provides periodic training for certification for select positions.
- Ability to organize and prioritize a wide variety of projects while meeting all established deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
- Experience supervising work teams.
- The ability to successfully collaborate with designers, directors, department heads, stage management, and others team members as required.
- Works well in a team environment.
- To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of pattern making, fabric cutting and costume construction.
- Comprehensive knowledge and hands on experience of theatrical costuming practices, materials, and machinery.
- Comprehensive knowledge of wardrobe maintenance and laundry.
- Intermediate to Advanced user of Microsoft Office Suite
- Experience with project management software is a plus (AirTable is currently used).
- The Seattle Opera’s season generally runs from August -June.
- This position will typically work Weekdays, 9am – 5pm with some flexibility. When the Opera is in-between productions, the floor supervisor and costume shop work team are not scheduled.
- Some evening and weekend hours will be required.
- May be asked to attend Dress Rehearsals to help take notes or check costume piece fit and function.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 30 of pounds. The employee is regularly required to stand for long periods of time; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; balance; bend and reach with hands and arms; use feet to operate foot pedal operation; and talk or hear. Occasionally required to climb ladders, sit, stoop, kneel, squat, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to lift up to 20lbs. The work environment is typically indoors in an open work area with tables and equipment. Safety Data Sheets are available for employees who work with chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is low to medium depending on the number of individuals working.
Background Check
Seattle Opera engages a third-party vendor to conduct background checks for all employees. Offer of employment is contingent upon the candidate successfully passing the background check. Any information unrelated to job duties will not be evaluated or have an adverse impact on employment.
benefits
- Seattle Opera contributes thirteen percent (13%) of your gross wages to the IATSE National Health and Welfare Fund (Health Fund).
- Seattle Opera contributes six percent (6%) of your gross wages to the Western Employees Benefit Trust.
- After the employee has worked two hundred (200) hours per calendar year under this Agreement, shall receive vacation pay at a rate of three percent (3%) of gross earnings.
- Holiday Pay when working during a recognized Holiday.
- Sick Time - 64 frontloaded paid sick hours per Letter of Agreement for the first year plus one (1) hour of sick time per fifteen (15) hours worked.
- Choice of fully funded transit pass, or 25% funded, special rate parking pass
- Two (2) complementary dress rehearsal tickets. In addition (2) complimentary tickets to a performance may be offered when made available by the marketing department.
equal employment opportunity
Seattle Opera is committed to racial equity and to dismantling historic barriers of oppression by creating an inclusive and equitable workplace. We believe that having staff, interns, and volunteers with diverse backgrounds enables us to better meet our mission. Seattle Opera is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal access and opportunity to anyone who qualifies, regardless of sex, race, age, color, religion, mental or physical disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and/or military status. Learn more about our commitment to Equity and our Racial Equity and Social Impact Plan: https://www.seattleopera.org/about/commitment-to-equity/
application
Application Deadline: May 11, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and we encourage you to apply early.
When you submit your application, you will receive an automated message noting your materials have been received. Unfortunately, we cannot respond to all applicants due to the high volume of resumes submitted. No phone calls, please.
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