Wardrobe Technician
Class Specifications – D.15
Senior Wardrobe Technician – 6317
Wardrobe Technician – 6318
February, 1975
Series Concept
Incumbents tailor garments used in teaching and acting in the dramatic arts; purchase or rent costumes; arrange and cut patterns; dye cloth; sew and maintain wardrobes; weave new cloth; refabricate old costumes; construct jewelry; apply make-up; may style and shape hair, or fabricate wigs; store costumes, make-up and related equipment and supplies; may supervise or assist students in the laboratory sessions on construction and maintenance of theatrical costumes; and perform other related duties as required.
Incumbents typically work in a Theater or Drama Department. The series consists of 2 levels. At the Sr. Wardrobe Technician level, incumbents work under general supervision, have a technical knowledge of costume design and history, and perform the more skilled tasks. At the Wardrobe Technician level incumbents work under supervision and perform the less skilled duties. Both levels may supervise student crews assisting in the construction and maintenance of costumes.
Class Concepts
Senior Wardrobe Technician
Incumbents independently and without detailed instructions construct costumes from designs and sketches; perform skilled custom tailoring and dressmaking tasks; and perform other duties as outlined in the series concept. Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and responsibility are:
Plans the use of wardrobe storage space and facilities, or supervises the rearrangement or remodeling of wardrobe storage facilities and organizes costumes in storage area for easy identification and location.
Sets up and prepares class demonstrations, working from a general knowledge of course material without specific instructions for each class, and gives routine instruction and supervision to students at regularly scheduled laboratory sessions.
Acts as the head of wardrobe crews assigned to prepare all costumes for a major production, and organizes the work of the crew to meet the deadline set by the production staff; and supervises last-minute changes.
Coordinates the use of wardrobe equipment by staff members and students; and supervises the checking in and out of costumes and equipment.
Independently purchases costumes or materials needed for the construction of costumes by reviewing all possible sources, examining material or costumes, and writing up preliminary orders to effect the purchase; and uses special sources in the area for location of unusual fabrics and supplies.
Constructs costumes from designers’ sketches, applies technical knowledge of costume design and history in the making of patterns, cutting materials, and directing the construction of the garment.
Devises mechanism for special costume accouterments, such as wings and masks.
Estimates costs and supervises budget control on all purchases for the costume department.
Wardrobe Technician
Incumbents assist in the construction of costumes; perform semi-skilled custom tailoring and dressmaking tasks; and perform other duties as outlined in the series concept.
Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and responsibility are:
Refabricates old costumes and constructs new costumes.
Constructs small costume accessories from designers’ sketches.
Insures that costumes fit properly.
Assists in maintaining wardrobe inventories by setting up and cataloging costumes and supplies.
Minimum Qualifications
Senior Wardrobe Technician
Two years of college with a major in theater arts and three years of experience related to costume construction, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential for the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Wardrobe Technician
Two years of college with a major in theater arts and one year of experience related to costume construction, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential for the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.