DPW Fuel Depot Operations Assistant Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Assistant Manager of Fuel Depot Operations will work with the DPW Fuel Depot Operations Manager to manage the Fuel Depots and track all fuels distributed through their assigned station. This role will assist in scheduling and supervising the Fuel Attendant Crews ensuring that operations are conducted in a manner that prioritizes safety, timeliness, professionalism, and efficient data collection. They may interface with the participant or infrastructure communities to ensure good relations and safe conduct while on the work site. In addition to the physical aspects of the job, this role will be required to learn, effectively use, and update existing online systems and documents.

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From May - July:  Part-Time (approximately 10-15 hours total) Non-Exempt, based fully remote. 
• From August - September:  Full-Time,  Exempt, based Gerlach, NV.

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

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Advance Planning (10%)

• Work with the DPW Fuel Depot Operations Manager to facilitate the planning, construction, operation, strike, and cleanup of the fuel stations according to the provided plans.
• Collaborate with the DPW Fuel Safety Auditor to ensure that all team members, fuel worksites, mobile operations, and fuel trucks will be compliant with OSHA safety regulations and have the required safety equipment.

Daily Operations & Maintenance (35%)

• Assist in overseeing the receipt and distribution of fuels at the assigned fuel station for the duration of DPW Fuel Operations, regulating efficiency and expectations according to OSHA and DPW safety guidelines.

• Establish and oversee the maintenance of a clean and safe worksite; ensure that all team members are provided with and utilize the necessary OSHA-approved safety equipment.

Team Management & Support (25%)

• Tactfully manage the Fuel Station staff. Reassign and redirect workflow using education, empowerment, and delegation when appropriate or necessary, monitoring team morale and setting manageable work expectations.
• Oversee the Fuel Attendants to make sure fuel fills are safely dispensed and accurately recorded. 
• Proactively take the lead on the training of paid and volunteer crew members under chain of command.
• Review and assist in teaching the BRC Rain Contingency Plan, Fuel Spill Response Plan, and Burning Man Integrated Plan, and know when to execute each with your team.
• Create and actively manage staff work schedules in collaboration with the DPW Personnel Manager and the DPW Fuel Department Manager, and log and report crew work hours by established deadlines on a weekly basis.
• Attend and support crew attendance to daily Team Meetings and DPW Morning Meetings as relevant; Run daily meetings for the Fuel Depot Crew.

Documentation & Tracking (25%)

• Maintain continuity in documentation, reports, and tracking standards outlined by the DPW Utilities Superintendent.
• Manage the tracking of all fuels dispensed to infrastructure, vendors, and participant clients, seeing that it is accurately documented and filed by the daily deadline.
• Report liquid fuel levels to the DPW Fuel Depot Operations Manager or the DPW Fuel Department Manager at the beginning of each shift and assist in collecting daily fuel levels for all tanks managed by the Fuel Department on Playa. 
• Work with Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft Word and Excel, and any additional online tools, technology or applications specific to this role as required.
• Anticipate, stay current, and track the use of materials and supplies.
• Commit to improving and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for this role and crew operations throughout the season for accuracy. 
• Prepare written feedback for the DPW Utilities Manager describing the successes of the season, areas in need of improvement, and suggestions with the purpose of improved overall efficiency for the next year; Submit an end-of-season EMBER Report.

Other Functions & Responsibilities (5%)

• Maintain clear and respectful communication with the DPW Fuel Team, BRC Departments, Vendors, Participants, and Artists.
• Maintain budget awareness: monies spent, current balance, anticipated costs, etc. Proactively discuss any potential adjustments or concerns with Management as soon as possible.
• Work with the Fuel Crew to plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans.
• Read, understand, and abide by the rules and codes of conduct as described in the DPW Handbook, Burning Man Staff Policies, and Black Rock Station protocols.
• Monitor personal well-being, be aware of work expectations while also setting realistic boundaries, and proactively address any concerns with management.
• Perform various other duties as assigned by DPW Fuel Management.

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.
• 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

• Able and willing to follow standards set in necessary training that can be provided on-site:
  • Liquid fuel handling
  • Completed DPW Liquid Fuel Operations packet
  • Certified for handling of propane.
  • Must complete training packet provided preseason by Propane Operations Consultant. 
  • Accurate use of handheld digital devices for tracking needs
• Working knowledge of OSHA-compliant personal protection equipment, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers.
• Must have been to Burning Man and be familiar with the event worksite, Black Rock City and its departments.
• Capable of climbing a ladder and safely traversing the top of the fuel storage tanks; Able to drive safely and navigate Black Rock City streets congested with pedestrians, bicycles, and mutant vehicles.
• Understanding of event production timelines, budgeting and inventory maintenance, and working with integrated plans.
• Proficient at navigating digital and online technology; Able to proactively engage in advanced learning, teach and effectively update existing online applications, tools, systems, spreadsheets, and documents.
• Able to maintain consistent organization and tidiness in the work environment and in handling important information (ie, tracking, personnel data, goals and timelines, payroll, etc.)
• Operates with a high level of behavioral integrity, confidentiality and discretion of sensitive information; maintains tidiness in work ethics and the work environment, and remains calm and focused under pressure.
• Clear, service-oriented, and professional communication, verbal and written. Experienced with using 2-way radios and following radio protocol.
• Able to embody present and responsive leadership qualities for a diverse team while maintaining firm boundaries and adhering to set standards; Operates with a high level of behavioral integrity and reliability. 
• Able to integrate feedback into action, remain calm and focused under pressure or emergency situations, and maintain a professional 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 

• OSHA 10 Certification (Maybe acquired through in-house training)
• Experience supervising major projects 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

• Must have a 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 May - July is $15.00 to $17.00 per hour.
• From August - September is $1000.00 to $1100.00 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.