How to hire a special effects technician

How to hire a special effects technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step special effects technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a special effects technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new special effects technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a special effects technician job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The special effects technician hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A special effects technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, special effects technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of special effects technicians.

   Type of Special Effects Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Special Effects Technician	Broadcast and sound engineering technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.	$11-38
   Videographer	A videographer specializes in shooting and editing high-definition videos of different events, making them presentable to clients. They are primarily responsible for having their video equipment, coordinating with clients to learn any preferences or particular requests, capturing and recording from the best angle, and producing results quickly and accurately... Show more	$14-29
   Video Coordinator	A video coordinator normally works with sports teams to help them curate video footage of their games and training sessions. One important aspect of their job to travel away with the team for their games... Show more	$11-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Troubleshoot
   • Tech Support

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead false-positive team to identify and resolve network service issues and produce a manual for outsource providers to troubleshoot technical issues.
   • Create and publish on SharePoint documentation of troubleshooting, resolution, installation and maintenance of hardware and software problems.
   • Prepare and set off battlefield explosion, smoke and IED effects during small unit engagements.
   • Distribute video through cable as well as videoconferencing networks via a multipoint conferencing unit.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your special effects technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A special effects technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, special effects technicians' average salary in kentucky is 60% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level special effects technicians earn 71% less than senior-level special effects technicians.
   • Certifications. A special effects technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a special effects technician's salary.

   Average special effects technician salary

   $43,345yearly

   $20.84 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level special effects technician salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 29, 2025

4. Writing a special effects technician job description

   A special effects technician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a special effects technician job description:

   Special effects technician job description example

   JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for the highly skilled, discipline specific, technical operations within an assigned Entertainment venue or event to ensure show quality and a positive guest experience.
   MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   + Functions as the discipline specific crew chief assigned to an Entertainment Venue or Event. Responsible for monitoring, adhering to and enforcing all policies and procedures as defined by the Entertainment Department governing the safe use and operation of all technical equipment and pyrotechnic devices.
   
   + Expected to accomplish tasks as directed by Lead/Supervisor that supports the team mission with little supervision after direction is given. Safe watch employees by assisting to manage proper breaks and ensure lunches are taken by their perspective crews.
   
   + Assists Technician I with daily maintenance of the Entertainment Venue/Event in order to ensure all Technical equipment is operational and functioning properly.
   
   + Assists the Technician I in implementing show quality and performance standards as defined by Entertainment Management.
   
   + Responsible for effectively communicating necessary information which pertains to the technical operation of the assigned entertainment venue/event, to both upper management as well as employees of the venue/event.
   
   + Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
   
   + Performs other duties as assigned.
   
   EDUCATION: High school degree or GED required.
   
   EXPERIENCE:
   
   + One to three years experience within the assigned technical discipline required.
   
   + Prior experience within the professional theme park/theater industry in a technical capacity (electrical, mechanical, special effects, pyrotechnics) preferred
   
   + ; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
   
   CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
   
   + Registration of possessors and responsible party card, approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
   
   + Must maintain a valid pyrotechnic's license, issued by the Company.
   
   Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.
   
   Universal Orlando Resort. Here you can.
   
   Universal Orlando is an equal opportunity employer. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2022 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. EOE

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find special effects technicians for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any special effects technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level special effects technicians with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your special effects technician job on Zippia to find and recruit special effects technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit special effects technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new special effects technician

   Once you've decided on a perfect special effects technician candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new special effects technician first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a special effects technician?