Position: Rigging Inspector
Location: Remote
Compensation: Per Inspection.

About This Position:

StageRight Services is seeking experienced theatrical rigging professionals to join our team as Theatrical Rigging Inspectors. This position involves travel to theaters, schools, performing arts centers, churches, and other venues to inspect theatrical rigging systems and document their condition.

This is a technical inspection role. Our inspectors do not sell repairs or install replacement equipment. Their job is to provide an independent, professional assessment of each rigging system.

About Us:

StageRight Services specializes in theatrical rigging inspections. We help facility owners understand the condition of their rigging systems, identify items that need attention, and plan for future repairs and replacement.

Our approach is focused on prevention, documentation, and practical recommendations. Because we do not perform rigging repairs or installations, our inspectors can focus on providing an independent assessment of the equipment they inspect.

We believe a good inspection should do more than identify problems. It should give the facility useful information that can be understood by technicians, administrators, and the people responsible for budgeting and maintaining the building. It should also serve as a documented snapshot of the current conditions and to track the condition over time.

Job Overview:

The Theatrical Rigging Inspector will perform visual and operational inspections of theatrical rigging systems. Most work will involve counterweight rigging systems and related stage equipment.

Inspectors will examine equipment, operate systems when appropriate, take photographs, record measurements and observations, and prepare clear documentation of their findings.

This position requires strong theatrical rigging knowledge, careful attention to detail, good judgment, and the ability to explain technical conditions in plain language.

Key Responsibilities:

• Inspect theatrical counterweight rigging systems and related equipment.
• Inspect battens, lift lines, loft blocks, head blocks, arbors, counterweights, purchase lines, locking rails, rope locks, terminations, and related components.
• Observe rigging systems while they are operated when conditions allow.
• Identify damaged, worn, improperly installed, or poorly operating equipment.
• Recognize conditions that may not meet applicable industry standards or accepted practices.
• Take clear photographs of equipment and inspection findings.
• Record accurate measurements, equipment information, and field observations.
• Complete inspection checklists and other required documentation.
• Write clear descriptions of inspection findings.
• Explain findings to facility representatives in language they can understand.
• Separate immediate concerns from items that can be addressed through future maintenance or capital planning.
• Follow company inspection procedures to provide consistent results from one facility to another.
• Maintain professional conduct while working in schools, theaters, churches, and other occupied facilities.
• Follow safe work practices while working on stages, galleries, grids, catwalks, ladders, and other elevated work areas.
• Travel to inspection locations as assigned.

Qualifications:

Qualified candidates should have significant hands-on experience with theatrical rigging systems. This position requires more than general entertainment or stagehand experience.

• Demonstrated Minimum Experience of 5 years and 10,000 hours of verifiable work experience in entertainment rigging, including production and installation of counterweight rigging systems.  This must be included in your resume or cover letter.
• Strong working knowledge of theatrical counterweight rigging systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience operating, maintaining, installing, inspecting, or supervising theatrical rigging equipment.
• Ability to recognize common rigging components and understand how they should function.
• Ability to recognize wear, damage, poor operation, and unusual equipment conditions.
• Understanding of safe work practices for theatrical and entertainment environments.
• Comfort working at height on grids, galleries, catwalks, ladders, and similar locations.
• Ability to take accurate notes, photographs, and measurements.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in writing.
• Ability to communicate professionally with technicians, school staff, administrators, facility managers, and other clients.
• Ability to work independently and follow established inspection procedures.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation when required for an assignment.
• Meet the requirements of ANSI E1.47 Recommended Guidelines for Entertainment Rigging Inspections.
• OSHA 10

Preferred Qualifications:

• ETCP Certified Theatre Rigger.
• Experience performing theatrical rigging inspections.
• Experience as a theatrical rigger, technical director, head carpenter, flyman, or rigging supervisor.
• Knowledge of current entertainment industry rigging standards.
• Experience working in educational, professional, community, or performing arts facilities.
• Experience writing inspection reports or other technical documentation.
• Training in fall protection, occupational safety, or related areas.
• OSHA 30 or higher
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Technical Theater, Safety, Construction Management, Communications, or other related field.

Equivalent experience will be considered. We are interested in candidates who have strong technical knowledge, sound judgment, and a willingness to follow a consistent inspection process.

What Makes a Good StageRight Inspector:

• You notice details that other people may overlook.
• You understand how theatrical rigging should feel and operate, not just how it looks.
• You can tell the difference between a minor maintenance issue and a serious condition.
• You document what you observe instead of making assumptions.
• You are comfortable saying that additional evaluation is needed when something cannot be determined during a visual inspection.
• You can explain a technical problem without making it sound more complicated or more serious than it is.
• You understand that an inspector’s job is to report conditions, not to create repair work.
• You have a deep understanding of theatrical rigging systems, history, and familiarity with all major manufacturers and trends of the past 50 years.

Physical Requirements:

The work may take place in areas that were designed for technicians rather than normal public access. Candidates must be able to safely perform the essential duties of the position.

• Climb stairs, ladders, and fixed access ladders.
• Work on grids, galleries, catwalks, and other elevated work areas.
• Walk, stand, bend, kneel, and move around backstage equipment.
• Carry basic inspection equipment.
• Work in areas with limited lighting, dust, heat, or other normal backstage conditions.
• Use required personal protective equipment.
• Operate a variety of lifts, including single-person Genie-type lifts and scissor lifts.
• Work comfortably and safely at height.

Benefits:

• Flexible Schedule: Accept as many, or as few, inspections as you like; We can easily accommodate touring production schedules.
• Opportunity to work in a wide range of performing arts facilities.
• Paid Certifications
• Established inspection procedures, checklists, and reporting systems.
• Training on StageRight Services inspection and documentation procedures;
• Opportunities for continued professional development.
• Free Tradeshow Travel and attendance for ETCP RU’s.
• Travel opportunities to inspection sites in different regions.
• Opportunity to grow with a specialized theatrical inspection company
• This is an employee position, not a 1099 position.
• We partner with a payroll provider to provide FTE employee benefits, including Medical, Vision, Dental, Retirement, etc.

Compensation, travel arrangements, scheduling, and other terms will be discussed with qualified candidates based on experience, credentials, location, and assignment requirements. Compensation is paid per inspection based on the estimated level of effort and time required for the inspection.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and motivation for the position. Please send applications to careers@stagerightinspections.com with the subject line “Rigging Inspector Application – [Your Name].”

This May Be a Good Fit If:

This role may be a good fit for experienced theatrical professionals who want to use their rigging knowledge in a different way.

• You are an experienced theatrical rigger who wants to focus more on inspection and evaluation work.
• You are an ETCP Certified Theatre Rigger looking for additional professional opportunities.
• You are a technical director, head carpenter, flyman, or production professional with deep knowledge of counterweight rigging systems.
• You are retired or semi-retired from full-time production work but still want to stay active in the entertainment industry.
• You enjoy troubleshooting and finding the cause of unusual rigging behavior.
• You prefer careful technical work over fast-paced production calls.
• You enjoy visiting different theaters and seeing a wide range of rigging systems.
• You can work independently and are comfortable making professional observations based on what you see in the field.
• You take pride in producing clear, accurate documentation.
• You want your experience to help theaters, schools, churches, and performing arts facilities better understand the equipment above their stages.