DPW Shuttle Driver

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Shuttle Driver is responsible for the safe transportation of Burning Man staff between Gerlach, the Black Rock Desert and Black Rock Station on a predetermined schedule. 

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From July - August: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, based Black Rock City, Nevada. 

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00pm Pacific on May 2nd, 2025.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Driving Operations (95%)

• Operate a shuttle vehicle safely and efficiently to transport passengers between Gerlach, Black Rock City, and Black Rock Station; Will include evening/nighttime shuttle routes.
• Adhere to all traffic laws and regulations while driving and on-shift.
• Perform vehicle safety inspections at the beginning and end of every shift, ensuring that the vehicle is in good working order and has all required safety equipment, including a fire extinguisher and stocked first aid kit.
• Observe and relate relevant information to the DPW Auto Shop Manager pertaining to any mechanical issues, needed repairs or maintenance to the vehicle allocated.
• Assist passengers with boarding and exiting the vehicle in a timely and tidy manner.
• Maintain a clean and orderly shuttle interior; Check for items left behind at the end of the day and put in Lost & Found.
• Communicate with dispatch and other drivers as needed to coordinate routes and schedules.
• Maintain professional and effective interactions with all persons, Burning Man departments and staff. 
• Report any accidents or incidents to appropriate management.
• Collect data as requested.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Work with the Team to plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans for all relevant operations.
• Adjust workflow to support changing safety protocols as directed.
• Participate in meetings when requested and maintain related correspondence.
• Be familiar with, understand and act in accordance with Burning Man’s staff policies, protocols and behavioral standards.
• Monitor personal well-being by setting realistic goals and managing self-care while proactively addressing any concerns with management.
• 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. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Familiarity with Burning Man and event-based production work. 
• Proven knowledge of Black Rock City; Able to drive safely and navigate Black Rock City streets that are congested with pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles.
• Ability to problem solve, apply critical thinking to situations, and remain calm under stress.
• Experience with supervision of a diverse group of people; Ability to lead by example, motivate teams, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Clear, service-oriented communication, verbally and written; Able to evaluate, tailor style and patiently respond to needs for support. Experience with using 2 way radios and/or willing to learn.
• Effectively manages own time and the efforts of the team as a whole.
• Operates with behavioral integrity and reliability, paying careful attention to detail in the handling of important information. Able to instill and apply order and cleanliness to the work environment.
• Working knowledge of Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive).
• Capable of working in an extreme environment including drastic temperature changes, high winds, poor air quality and low to no visibility at times; Experience in remote wilderness and/or desert environments. 
• Ability to temporarily relocate for work at the Burning Man event held in Gerlach, Nevada

Preferred 

• Class B license with passenger endorsement.
• Prior experience as a driver.
• Experience working in remote wilderness and/or desert environments.
• 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 July - August is $17.00 to $19.00 per hour.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• 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.

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.