Event Lighting Lead

Description

Job Title: Event Lighting Lead 

Department: Learning and Public Engagement

Supervisor: Light Engineer and Design Manager

Supervises: Volunteers

FLSA Salary Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Revision Update: May 7, 2025

Availability: Primary schedule of standard business hours. Some required evening and weekend availability for exhibit and major event installation, production, and de-installation.

Position Summary:

Assists the event lighting team in testing, assembling, and installing lighting technology and equipment for events at the Garden. Plays a key role in the installation, nightly production, and takedown of large evening events for the Garden. Leads all event lighting installations of visitor program and rental events. 

Essential Functions:

• Test, assemble, and install lighting technologies and equipment. Support integration of lighting technologies into current garden infrastructure and programs.
• Lead event lighting installations for visitor program events and light rental packages. 
• Follow installation schedules and expectations for all lighting integrations. Lead volunteer teams on lighting installation when assigned and scheduled.
• Play a key role in building, installing, and takedown of displays and lighting at the Garden. Obtain training on troubleshooting light experiences, safety protocols, and event-closing procedures. Comply with OSHA and Garden regulatory requirements. 
• Perform nightly maintenance and production for garden events, such as Galaxy of Lights.
• Learn, understand, and demonstrate the ability to safely operate all heavy and small equipment at the Garden according to the operator’s manuals. Responsible for proper operation and maintenance of tools and equipment, complying with OSHA and Garden regulatory requirements.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Associate degree or 3+ years of related experience in exhibits, major events, theatre production, or light shows is required. Comfortable using basic hand and power tools (drill, drivers, saw, level, hammer tape measure, etc.) and driving a Cushman cart. Ability to use and be trained on heavy machinery such as a forklift, telehandler, skidsteer, tractor, and pallet jack. Must possess a valid driver’s license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. Candidates must be comfortable working outdoors in both daytime and evening hours. Must be comfortable working independently and in team settings. Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required.

Success Factors:

• A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Garden’s mission of connecting people with plants with genuine passion that also embraces and exemplifies the Garden’s core values. 
• Ability to follow schedules and direction is crucial to the success of this position. 
• Must have a willingness to learn, showing interest in lighting equipment and technological displays.
• Must stay organized with the ability to lead many lighting installations simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications:

5+ years' experience working with exhibits in museums, botanical gardens, or theatre. Background working with RGB or DMX lighting technology is a plus. Candidates that possess or are currently pursuing a degree in engineering or related fields are preferred. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Physical demands: Hand dexterity to work with electrical supplies safely and efficiently following OSHA standards. Sense of vision in the normal range with or without correction. Sense of touch and the ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment required. Limited lifting and carrying (up to 50 lbs.). Must be able to move between widely separated work sites, many outdoors and on uneven terrain.
• Work Environment: Primarily outdoor conditions on uneven terrain and can include working in inclement weather, heat, cold, and humidity. Equipment used includes two-way radios, Cushman carts, lighting equipment and rigging, hand tools, electrical testing devices as well as power equipment described above skidsteer, telehandler etc.

Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize major duties and responsibilities of employees and are subject to change as needs and programs change. At Huntsville Botanical Garden they are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive. It is expected that up to 20% of your duties may change annually.

Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

The Huntsville Botanical Garden supports a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Garden is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.