NVO Black Rock Saloon Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Black Rock Saloon Manager will direct and oversee the operation of the Saloon and any ancillary bars during the work season, providing a positive atmosphere for the Burning Man staff’s use. This includes maintaining the facility, scheduling, and managing staff and volunteers to run the bar. As well as planning, preparing, and overseeing special events and implementing and maintaining opening and closing procedures for the facility.  

This is a temporary, full-time, Exempt role, based in Gerlach, NV running from April to October 2026.

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on March 13, 2026.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Management (60%)

• Prepare the Black Rock Saloon, the Black Rock Station (BRS) Bar and any ancillary bars for operations each day it is scheduled to be open. 
• Create a positive atmosphere within the Saloon and BRS Bar for all to appreciate.
• Create and oversee the schedule for Black Rock Saloon and BRS Bar operations, including Shift Leads and Bar Staff (Bartenders and Barbacks), assuring that a responsible “facilitator/closer” is present for each shift during hours of operation.
• Recruit and sign up volunteers to work as Shift Leads and Bar Staff.
• Orient all Shift Leads, Bar Staff, Crew Members and Facility users of the Black Rock Saloon of the House Rules and Protocols.  
• Oversee Black Rock Saloon and BRS Bar operations, providing access to the facilities and staffed bar service during hours of operation.
• Close down the facilities at the end of each day’s operations, using the procedures outlined in the House Rules and Protocols. 
• Observe and relate relevant information to the Hospitality Manager pertaining to any major conflicts, problems, or other crew issues in the Black Rock Saloon.
• Observe and relate relevant information to the NVO Maintenance and Hospitality Manager about any needed facility repairs. 
• Work with NVO and DPW Council Members to reserve and prepare the Black Rock Saloon and BRS Bar for staff functions. Work with the Hospitality Manager to fulfill staffing needs as required.
• Work with the DPW Rangers to ensure that only staff members in good standing access the Black Rock Saloon and BRS Bar.
• Collaborate with the DPW Fluffers to distribute items to the DPW Ghetto pre-event and to sort and stock items from Collexodus post-event.
• Collaborate with the NVO Kitchen to ensure workspace needs are met.
• Collaborate with Hospitality to maintain and order supplies for the Saloon and BRS Bar and keep within budget.
• Abide by the rules and codes of conduct described in the NVO Leadership Toolbox, NVO Compass, Ranch Protocols, and the Black Rock Saloon S.O.P.
• Maintain professional and effective interaction with all persons, patrons, Burning Man departments, and staff. 
• Prepare for and participate in a final inspection of the facility alongside the NVO Personnel Manager and remedy any challenges as requested.

Documentation (35%)     

• Attend DPW Morning Meetings, Managers Meetings, and Black Rock City Staff Meetings.
• Familiarize yourself with, and act in accordance with Burning Man’s staff policies.
• Maintain NVO and DPW related correspondence via assigned Burning Man mailing lists. 
• Contribute to the Standard Operating Procedure guide for the Black Rock Saloon.
• Submit post-event feedback, including an Ember Report, according to the Burning Man Ember guidelines.
• Submit receipts and any expense reports, ensuring forms are complete and submitted on time.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Ability to adjust schedule seasonally and relocate for the duration of the work season held in Nevada. 
• Experience managing a bar and bartending.
• Experience cutting someone off from alcohol in an emotionally intelligent fashion.
• Previous experience at Burning Man and familiarity with its culture.
• Ability to lead by example, motivate teams, and possess excellent interpersonal skills; professional work ethic and enthusiasm for working with others.
• Experience managing volunteers and a welcoming attitude toward integrating new members into the NVO and DPW Crew; capable and willing to work with a primary volunteer labor force.
• Willing and able to travel and relocate for the duration of the NVO work season.
• Must have a working knowledge of Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, etc.) and Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience supervising major projects in remote wilderness and desert environments.

Preferred

• It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man and is familiar with its culture.

Note: If you have gained the necessary experience to succeed in this role and have acquired this experience in other ways, we encourage you to apply and share all relevant experience in your application.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid driver’s license and a good driving record.

COMPENSATION: 

Individual compensation decisions are dependent on a variety of factors, including prior experience and geographical location. The anticipated pay rate for this position is $1100 -1300.00  per week.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Off-playa: This position requires periods of heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, squatting, and climbing. Work will include the need to find and meet with department representatives who may not be in the vicinity therefore this could include walking or using some form of transportation. Much of the work will be in outside weather conditions and will be exposed to fumes or airborne particles as well as possible extremes in temperature.
• On-playa:  Work is performed off playa at the Black Rock Saloon and will  require periods of heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, squatting, and climbing. Work will include the need to find and meet with department representatives who may not be in the vicinity therefore this could include walking or using some form of transportation. Much of the work will be in outside weather conditions and will be exposed to fumes or airborne particles as well as possible extremes in temperature.

NOTICE FOR ALL APPLICANTS:

• Burning Man Project celebrates the importance of creating a diverse environment and enthusiastically encourages Black, Indigenous, Peoples of Color, LGBTQIA+, Immigrant, women, and people with disabilities, of all ages, to apply.
• Burning Man Project provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
• Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.