DPW Depot Assistant Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Depot Assistant Manager is a support role responsible for co-leading the Depot Crew with the DPW Depot Manager, through building, maintaining, disassembly and storage of the Depot structures and assets as well as creating schedules and maintaining business hours to serve the community with various needs (fork lift, tools, information, receiving, deliveries, storage, work space, temporary storage of trailers and living units, excess parking, etc) throughout the whole event production cycle. This role is also a support for the survey of the area to include the Depot itself, Fuel Station, Staff Showers, Transfer Station and additional storage areas.  They will assist with any changes required by other teams the depot supports as outlined by DPW management.

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From August - September: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, based on-site out of Black Rock City, Nevada. 

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on April 14, 2025.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Operations (70%)

• Support the execution of daily tasks and timeline goals for the construction, maintenance, and tear-down of the Depot site and structures in Black Rock City including the Commissary shade and survey of the greater Depot area.
• Assist with management and guidance of the Depot crew; Interface with other crews and Burning Man Departments to facilitate their requests as appropriate.
• Conduct inspections daily and after weather events to ensure that the greater Depot area remains in safe condition, maintaining an accurate inventory of all items stored within the Depot area.
• Be available to work assigned shifts during event week to support the needs of the community, purchasing, and TSA including, receiving, inventory, and unloading shipments (utilizing the forklift).
• Oversee the maintenance of a clean and safe worksite, ensure that all job site practices for safety are upheld and communicated to the crew.
• Ensure that all crew are provided with the necessary OSHA approved safety equipment and that all necessary personal protection equipment (PPE) is available and properly used.
• Assist in the winterizing and storage of all construction materials and equipment during tear-down.
• Know, share, and use the proper pathways of communication around mentorship, empowerment, and education; Understand how to tactfully redirect workflow, delegate and reassign tasks as necessary.
• Be well-equipped to de-escalate, and also understand the proper pathways of escalating personnel issues. 
• Effective time management of self, individuals, and the team as a whole; ability to adhere to a strict schedule and timeline goals to serve the community.

Documentation/ Inventory (25%)

• Assist with general purchase planning, inventory tracking and maintenance; document the condition of tools, supplies, and infrastructure throughout the season, maintaining an accurate log of the tool container at the depot.
• Aid in the completion of an end of season inventory of all tools, supplies, and materials noting their condition and any maintenance or repairs needed for the following year.
• Assist in maintaining the Depot Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) with up to date information, processes and protocols.
• Attend meetings, create reports, and maintain related DPW correDepot Manager describing the successes and failures of the season with the purpose of improved overall efficiency and suggestions for the next year.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Work with the Depot Crew to plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans. 
• Be familiar with, understand and act in accordance with Burning Man’s staff policies, protocols and behavioral standards.
• Track hours worked; submit personnel time-cards promptly on a bi-weekly deadline with the help and approval of the DPW Depot Manager.

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.
• Learning – Pursues ongoing learning in their area of expertise, working to stay current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes. Participates in conferences, forums, and networking events, where appropriate.
• Speaking – Represents Burning Man as a subject matter expert and culture-bearer, as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Forklift/Heavy equipment certification or the ability and experience required to be certified through training on-site.
• Understanding of construction scheduling, event production timelines, cost control; Familiarity with Burning Man, working with integrated plans, and event-based production work.
• Knowledge of general construction practices, heavy equipment operation (forklifts) and survey; Experience at Burning Man or other festival environments. 
• Proficient at navigating digital and online technology; Skilled user of Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft Word and Excel. 
• Clear and respectful, service-oriented and effective communication, verbally and written. Experienced using 2 way radios and following radio protocol.
• Able to embody proactive, engaging and energizing leadership qualities for a diverse team while still maintaining a healthy work environment, firm boundaries and adhering to set standards. 
• Able to receive and integrate feedback into action and maintain a professional demeanor that leads by example; A team player that can follow direction and respectfully interface with collaborators.
• Effectively manages own time and the efforts of the team as a whole to create a mentality of collaboration, satisfaction, and flexibility.
• Ability to think quickly, problem solve, apply critical thinking to create solutions in the moment and adapt to changing circumstances, situationally aware and safety-minded.
• 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.
• OSHA 30 hour Construction & General Industry Certification.
• 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.
• Forklift Certification (available through on-site certification)

COMPENSATION

Individual compensation decisions are dependent on a variety of factors, including prior experience and geographical location. The anticipated rate for this position:

• From August - September is $17.00 to $19.00 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.

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.