DPW Purchasing Buyer

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Purchasing Buyer will work within the Purchasing Team to expediently source and buy requested goods to meet project deadlines for the build and operation of Black Rock City and Nevada Operations. This role will require learning, effectively using, and processing requests in the existing online purchasing system (Procurify). The buyer will also operate as a source of truth while interfacing with requesters from various Burning Man Departments. 

This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From June - August:  Full-Time , Non-Exempt, based out of Gerlach, NV . 

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on April 11, 2025

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Daily Operations (90%)

• Work with the Purchasing Team to procure a high volume of goods requested in Procurify by item-specified dates.
• Determine product specifications, often with limited information, working with the requester to find an appropriate substitution when necessary. 
• Assist with maintenance and updating Vendor data.
• Assist the Purchasing Manager and Data agent in processing all billing documents, credit card transactions, and reconciliation work. 
• Maintain thorough record keeping and notes via Procurify, Asana, MaintainX, and Google Drive including sharing documents, receipts, invoices, and quotes. 
• Schedule delivery of larger freight items in collaboration with the original requester. 
• Complete documentation in accordance with operational standards, deadlines, and to maintain continuity in what and how work is done. Reports must meet standards outlined and shared by the Purchasing Department and DPW Management.
• Maintain an amicable, professional demeanor while guiding requesters in completing their orders, in understanding how to navigate Procurify and submit proper information, and in creating reasonable expectations around timelines.
• Provide a written, year-end summary of processes, including any recommendations for improvements.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (10%)

• Attend Purchasing Department morning meetings. 
• Participate in ongoing Purchasing Department training. 
• Work with the Purchasing Team to plan and execute LNT and Waste stream plans for the Purchasing department.
• Ability to adjust and implement health and safety protocols as directed.
• Be familiar with, understand and act in accordance with Burning Man’s staff policies, protocols and behavioral standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• Documentation - Assists in the creation, publishing, and maintenance of process documentation related to their assigned duties.
• Knowledge sharing – Helps acculturate and educate junior staff in Burning Man culture and business processes.
• Learning – Pursues ongoing learning in their area of expertise, working to stay current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

 Required

• Expert in handling data entry with attention to accuracy; highly organized, able to prioritize, and motivated with the ability to adhere to a strict schedule.
• Excellent at navigating digital and online technology; able to teach, learn and effectively update existing online applications, tools, systems, spreadsheets, and documents. 
• Working knowledge of Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Able to proactively engage in clarifying conversations.
• Able to maintain consistent organization and tidiness in the work environment and in the handling of important information.
• Clear, service-oriented, and professional communication, verbally and through written correspondence; Able to evaluate, tailor style, and patiently respond to needs for support.
• Operates with behavioral integrity, reliability, and discretion of sensitive information; maintains tidiness in work ethics and the work environment.
• Able to receive and integrate feedback into action, remain calm and focused under pressure.
• Maintain a respectful, collected and kind demeanor that leads by example.
• Capable of working in an extreme environment, including drastic temperature changes, high winds, poor air quality, and low to no visibility at times.
• Ability to temporarily relocate for work at the Burning Man event held in Gerlach, Nevada.

Preferred 

• Experience with using 2-way radios and following radio protocol.
• Understanding of construction scheduling, event production timelines, cost control, and working with integrated plans.
• It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man and/or 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 rate for this position:

• From June - August is $15.00 to $17.00 per hour.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Off-playa:  Work is primarily sedentary in nature, no special demands are required.
• On-playa:  Work is primarily sedentary but will also 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.  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.

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.