DPW Golf Carts Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Golf Cart Manager oversees the complete lifecycle of the Burning Man Project rental golf cart fleet, managing operations both on-site in Black Rock City and off-site in Reno, Nevada, for cleaning and returns. This role is responsible for the strategic allocation, rigorous tracking, and maintenance of all rental golf cart units, ensuring critical mobility for event infrastructure teams and leadership. Empowering a team of mechanics, support staff, and volunteers, the Manager directs the Golf Cart Shop’s daily operations and is a picture of multi-tasking finesse! From curating public communications, cart intake, repair, and daily maintenance, to coordinating parts and materials procurement, inventory maintenance, staff schedules, team safety and morale! 

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From April - June: Part-Time 8hrs per week, Non-Exempt, based fully remote . 
• From August - September: Full-Time, Exempt, based on-site out of Black Rock City, Nevada. 

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00pm PST on Feb 20, 2026.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Shop Operations & Personnel (35%)

• Direct the Assistant Manager in creating and maintaining an accurate master log of the fleet, tracking the status, location, and assignment of every golf cart.
• Maintain set operating hours for the Golf Cart Shop, ensuring staff are appropriately scheduled to meet daily operational needs.
• Liaise with Burning Man Project departments to ensure prompt fulfillment of approved rental requests and to enforce strict policies regarding golf cart misuse or damage.
• Coordinate 24-hour support schedules during peak usage hours to respond to critical failures (e.g., fuel outages, breakdowns) and emergency service needs.
• Maintain consistent availability on the radio while on shift to triage incoming requests and support the dispatch team; Be available and accountable as a source of good information for the crew and other departments.
• Reassign and redirect workflow using education, empowerment, and delegation when appropriate or necessary, monitoring team morale and setting manageable work expectations.
• Act as a mentor, positive role model, and team leader by guiding and directing team members as they carry out their tasks. Learn, use, and share the proper pathways of communication and supporting documentation for escalating personnel issues.

Maintenance & Safety (20%)

• Oversee the execution of all necessary repairs, ensuring all golf carts are safely equipped with adequate lighting and functional safety features.
• Ensure all drivers, including shop staff, are fully briefed on, understand and adhere to DPW driving policies and safety standards.
• Create a safe and efficient shop environment by maintaining clear, accessible communication with the crew regarding safety protocols.
• Ensure that all team members are provided with and use the necessary OSHA approved safety equipment.

Inventory & Documentation (15%)

• Maintain strict inventory control over shop supplies, prioritizing the reuse and repurposing of materials whenever possible.
• Using established processes, catalog parts and materials usage, forecast needs, and place orders to maintain stock levels in the on-site fleet shop.
• Assume accountability for the accuracy, cost-efficiency, and timely submission of expenses during pre-season, event week, and post-season tear-down, adhering to budgetary standards and pro-actively addressing any concerns with management.
• Maintain an active presence in the creation and updates of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and processes, tracking sheets, projections, onboarding materials and any further documentation needed to outline success, including the SOP’s directly for this role.
• Create a detailed post-event analysis, known as the "After Burn Report," documenting the season's operational successes, challenges, and specific recommendations for future improvements of the Golf Cart Department.
• Submit end-of-season EMBER reports detailing observed operational challenges and pain points across the event and other departments.

Returning Carts to Reno (15%)

• Strip all non-standard equipment/modifications from golf carts prior to departure from the Playa.
• Supervise the team’s off-site relocation from Black Rock City to Reno, including checking staff into hotels and coordinating crew meals.
• Manage off-site expenses responsibly, such as- purchase team meals and submit all receipts and financial documentation promptly for reconciliation, etc.
• Train and supervise the Golf Cart Cleaning Crew, directing workflow to maximize safety and efficiency during the return phase.
• Ensure all golf carts are returned to the vendor in the same condition as at initial receipt to avoid damage fees.

Event Advance (10%)

• Collaborate with the Business Services Manager on all golf cart fleet logistics, including parts ordering, delivery scheduling, and operational planning for the event.
• Review SOPs and roll all seasonal documentation into the new year, as requested; Curate appropriate training materials for crew and drivers.
• Review and teach the BRC Rain Contingency Plan, emergency response plans and the Burning Man Integrated Plan and when to execute each with your team.
• Help to recruit, hire, and onboard the full crew roster, including the Assistant Manager, technicians, and post-event cleaning crew.
• Establish pre-event inventory projections to ensure adequate supplies are on hand for the build week.

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 emergent safety protocols as directed.
• Participate in manager and crew 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 the well-being of self and staff, setting realistic work expectations and proactively addressing any concerns with management.
• Perform other duties as directed.

Additional On-playa Duties and Responsibilities

• Exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance within the department.

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.
• Training development - Collaborates with the education team to develop training materials in their area of expertise, as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

 Required

• Minimum of 2+ years of proven leadership experience supervising teams, ideally in a shop environment. Must be able to lead by example with a high level of integrity, motivate crew members, and maintain a safe, efficient workspace.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that will support and nurture strong, collaborative relationships within the crew and external departments. Must be capable of de-escalating stress points and maintain professional communication, written and verbally, with both staff and participants. Capable of fostering a positive work environment while adhering to healthy boundaries and timeline goals.
• Strong organizational skills with the capacity to maintain meticulous records, track budgets, and manage time effectively while multi-tasking and responding to unexpected events. Proficiency with spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets) for tracking inventory is expected.
• Willing and able to temporarily relocate to the Burning Man event site in Gerlach, Nevada, for the full duration of the DPW contract. Also able to personally manage/supervise the transportation and rental returns process in Reno immediately following the end of the event.
• 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 keep a calm, guiding presence while responding to pressure or emergency situations.

Preferred 

• Experienced and knowledgeable in small engine repair, maintenance, and general mechanics. Specific mechanical expertise working on gas-powered golf carts is helpful for this role.
• Experienced or comfortable with using 2-way radios for communication.
• Prior experience attending Burning Man, working with DPW, a volunteer workforce and/or familiarity with the motivations and culture of the event.
• Experience on projects in remote wilderness and/or desert environments. 
• Experience managing vendor relations and rental fleets, including but not limited to delivery, inspections, and returning rentals in good condition.
• OSHA 10/30 certification and First Aid/CPR training.

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 April - June is $19.00 to $21.00 per hour.
• From August - September is $1200 to $1300 per week.

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.