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Gaffers and lighting technicians

OaSIS code 52119.03

Gaffers and lighting technicians set up, operate and make repairs to lights and other electrical equipment in studios and on sets and stages.

Overview

Also known as

  • Gaffer
  • Lighting technician

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Set up, operate and make repairs to lights and other electrical equipment in studios and on sets and stages.

Additional information

  • There may be an overlap in duties among occupations in this unit group, depending on the size of the production or broadcasting studio.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators (53111)
  • Film and video camera operators (52110)
  • Broadcast technicians (52112)
  • Audio and video recording technicians (52113)
  • Lighting designer (in 53123.01 Theatre designers)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

52 – Technical occupations in art, culture and sport

Sub-major group

521 – Technical occupations in art and culture

Minor group

5211 – Technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts

Unit group

52119 – Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts

Occupational profile

52119.03 – Gaffers and lighting technicians

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Electronic Maintenance
4 - High Level
Mechanical Maintenance
4 - High Level
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
4 - High Level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
4 - High Level
Performing General Physical Activities
4 - High Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
1 - Very little time
Standing
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
4 - More than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Concert promoters
  • Motion picture and video production companies
  • Recording studios
  • Television and radio stations and networks
  • Theatre, stage and dance companies

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Colour Perception
5 - Highest Level
Spatial Visualization
5 - Highest Level
Body Flexibility
4 - High Level
Dynamic Strength
4 - High Level
Far Vision
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Preventative Maintenance
4 - High Level
Quality Control Testing
4 - High Level
Troubleshooting
4 - High Level
Coordinating
3 - Moderate Level
Critical Thinking
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Analytical Thinking
4 - Highly important
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Independence
4 - Highly important