DPW Purchasing Reno Runner

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Purchasing Reno Runner plays a key role in keeping the Purchasing Department operations gears turning by safely and considerately transporting purchased supplies from vendors in Northern Nevada and Burning Man locations in Reno and Gerlach, the primary route being Reno-Gerlach. There is a demanding physical component- trucks must be organized and material moved during the receiving, loading, transportation and unloading process. This role must have excellent driving habits and a mind for safety, task fulfillment and ability to stay motivated on a tight errand schedule. 

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From June - August:  Full-Time,  Non-Exempt, based remotely, in Gerlach, NV and Black Rock City, Nevada.

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

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Daily Operations (80%)

• Work with the Purchasing Team to understand what items need to be picked up/returned, to what locations, in what order, and safely make the drive into town and back to execute those tasks in a timely manner. 
• Communicate effectively and attentively over the phone, via Slack, Asana, and other digital resources.
• Safely load/unload, secure, and transport items of varying sizes and weights, ensuring proper handling to prevent damage or injury.
• Review all paperwork (invoices, bill of lading, packing slip, etc.) for accuracy and scan into the appropriate software platform. 
• Assist in organizing items from the shipments for short-term storage or delivery to the requestor.
• Coordinate with all Burning Man Department leads to confirm accurate delivery time and placement of their orders, obtaining delivery confirmations from recipients. 
• Perform vehicle safety inspections at the beginning and end of every shift, ensuring that the vehicle is in good working order, and perform daily maintenance as outlined by DPW Management. 
• Maintain safety standards and situational awareness while operating and loading/unloading the delivery truck.
• Keep an open line of communication with the DPW Purchasing Assistant Manager and DPW Purchasing Manager throughout the day, promptly notifying of any issues while in the field. 
• Help to maintain order in the Receiving Office and work areas, organize cardboard boxes, packing materials, and available pallets as needs fluctuate and occasionally packing up material to be returned.
• Work with the Purchasing Team to procure a high volume of goods requested in Procurify by item-specified dates.

Documentation Support (10%)

• Assist with preparing returns, exchanges, or re-orders as requested.
• Follow proper procedure to ensure that paperwork is complete for each delivery and entered into the appropriate software platform.
• Maintain thorough record-keeping and notes, including sharing documents, receipts, invoices, and quotes.
• Complete documentation per operational standards and deadlines, and maintain continuity in what and how work is done. Reports must meet standards outlined and shared by the Purchasing Department and DPW Management.
• Provide a written year-end summary of processes, including any recommendations for improvements. 

Other Functions and Responsibilities (10%)

• Attend DPW and 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 per 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.
• Training development - Collaborates with the education team to develop training materials in their area of expertise, as requested.
• Learning – Pursues ongoing learning in their area of expertise, working to stay current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

 Required

• Prior experience driving trucks with oversized trailers, stake bed trucks, and pick up trucks. 
• Comfortable hitching and unhitching trailers. 
• Knowledgeable on how to secure loads on both enclosed and flatbed trailers. 
• Excellent at handling data entry with attention to accuracy; highly organized, able to follow direction, and motivated with the ability to adhere to a strict schedule.
• Proficient at navigating digital and online technology; able to teach and effectively update existing online applications, tools, systems, spreadsheets, and documents. 
• Working knowledge of Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive).
• Ability to differentiate between similar items when the details are not immediately apparent. 
• Capable of moving and stacking materials with the physical ability and stamina to easily and safely lift 60lbs repeatedly while entering and exiting large vehicles throughout the shift.
• Ability to work under stress and keep a cool head; capable of navigating the ebbs and flows of a shifting workload throughout the day.
• Clear, service-oriented and professional communication, verbally and written; Able to evaluate, tailor style and patiently respond to needs for support.
• Operates with a high level of behavioral integrity, confidentiality, and discretion of sensitive information; maintains tidiness in work ethics and the work environment.
• Expert ability to drive safely on dirt roads, navigate Black Rock City streets that are congested with pedestrians, bicycles, and mutant vehicles, and maintain a strong situational awareness in a variety of settings.
• Ability to handle dynamic situations and proactively engage in clarifying conversations.
• Able to integrate feedback into action, remain calm and focused under pressure or emergency situations, and maintain a professional demeanor.
• 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 as a DPW Crew member and familiarity with event-based production work.
• It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture.
• Experience with two-way radio communication with the ability to maintain professionalism on air.
• Experience driving in remote wilderness and/or desert environments. 
• First-Aid knowledge.

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 $15.75 - $18.25 per hour.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

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