NVO Black Rock Saloon Assistant Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Black Rock Saloon Assistant Manager will assist the Black Rock Saloon Manager in overseeing Staff use and operation of the Black Rock Saloon. Assisting in preparing and overseeing special events, and implementing and maintaining the opening and closing procedures for the facility. Mentoring and training staff and volunteers to assist in both facilities and bar operations. 

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 30th, 2026.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Staff Support (65%)

• Maintain professional and effective interaction with all persons, patrons, Burning Man departments, and staff.
• Abide by and enforce the rules, codes of conduct, and safety protocols outlined in the Nevada Operations Compass and the DPW Handbook.
• Working with the Saloon Crew and Black Rock Saloon Manager to create and uphold the Saloon maintenance and cleaning SOP.
• Assist in overseeing Black Rock Saloon operations, providing access to the facilities and staffed bar service during hours of operation.
• Assist in recruiting and signing up volunteers to work as Shift Leads and Bar Staff, and work to mentor and train them.
• Assist in orienting all Shift Leads, Bar Staff, Crew Members, and Facility users of the Black Rock Saloon of the “Black Rock Saloon – House Rules and Protocols”  document.
• Close down the facilities at the end of the day if required, using the procedures outlined in the “Black Rock Saloon – House Rules and Protocols” document.
• Assist in training Saloon Crew and assign volunteers to prepare Black Rock Saloon recipes and bar staples.
• Observe and relate relevant information to the NVO Personnel Manager and the Rangers pertaining to any major conflicts, problems, or other crew issues in the Black Rock Saloon.
• Observe and relate relevant information about any needed repairs to the facility.
• Assist the Black Rock Saloon Manager in reserving and preparing the Black Rock Saloon for staff functions. Assist the Black Rock Saloon Manager in working with the Personnel 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.
• Work with the DPW Fluffers to distribute items to the DPW Ghetto pre-event, and to sort and stock items from Collexodus post-event.
• Assist in maintaining and ordering supplies for cleaning, bathroom needs, and trash collection.
• Work on projects consistent with carpentry and painting to assist with upgrades related to facility use and maintenance.

 Administrative and Managerial Support (30%)

• Attend DPW Morning Meetings, Managers Meetings, and Black Rock City Staff Meetings.
• Prepare the Black Rock Saloon for operations each day it is scheduled to be open. 
• Familiarize oneself, 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.
• Support the Black Rock Saloon Manager to promptly distribute paychecks to the crew. 
• As needed, assist in managing the collection and submission of staff working hours for bi-weekly payroll. 
• Submit post-event feedback, including an Ember Report, according to the Burning Man Ember guidelines.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• Documentation - Drives the creation, publishing, and maintenance of process documentation related to assigned duties.
• Teaching – Takes a leadership role in the acculturation and training of staff. Teaches live or e-learning classes, as requested. Promotes a culture of teaching and learning throughout the community.
• Mentoring - Mentors subordinates in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and experience that will allow them to advance in the organization. Aids, encourages, and inspires their team.
• Speaking – Represents Burning Man as a subject matter expert and culture-bearer, as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Previous experience at Burning Man and/or familiarity with its culture.
• Effectively manages own time, the time of individual team members, and the team's efforts as a whole.
• Reliable, responsible, and dependable; fulfill obligations.
• Ability to lead by example, motivate teams, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience managing a bar and bartending staff.
• Construction experience specifically in carpentry and painting.
• A professional work ethic, willingness to create and reinforce a collaborative work environment, and enthusiasm for working with others.
• Experience managing volunteers and a welcoming attitude toward integrating new members into the NVO and DPW Crew.
• Willingness to work with a primary volunteer labor force. 
• Able to instill and apply order and cleanliness to the work environment.
• Working knowledge of Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, etc) and Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience supervising projects in remote wilderness and/or desert environments.
• Ability to adjust schedule seasonally and relocate for the work season held in Nevada. 

Preferred

• It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture.
• First-Aid knowledge.
• Familiarity with props, deco, faux finishing and other scenic techniques.

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 $1000.00 - 1200.00 per week.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Off-playa: This position requires periods of heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, squatting, and climbing. This position will be physically demanding, and requires individuals with good physical health, and endurance. Some 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 at Black Rock Saloon, off playa.

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.