DPW Golf Cart Mechanic

JOB SUMMARY

As the Department of Public Works (DPW) Golf Cart Mechanic, you are the mechanical backbone of our rented fleet, keeping everything running safely and smoothly out in the dust. In this dynamic role, you’ll perform hands-on repairs, guide our hardworking Golf Cart Service Volunteers, and provide welcoming, professional support to all cart users. While your primary home base is the onsite Golf Cart Shop, you’ll also venture out across the event site for mobile repairs, unexpected breakdowns, and rapid-response maintenance. From rolling up your sleeves for the pre-event shop build to managing the final post-event clean-up and vendor returns, you’ll bring the grit, expertise, and positive energy needed to keep our city moving.

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

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

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00pm Pacific on March 30, 2026.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Daily Operations (80%)

• Assist with Golf Cart Shop build pre-event.
• Safely install adequate lighting, safety features, and other required equipment on all golf carts prior to use.
• Provide approachable, friendly, and professional assistance to all golf cart users.
• Perform daily diagnostics, preventative maintenance, and mechanical repairs on broken-down or malfunctioning golf carts.
• Ensure the Golf Cart Shop remains organized, clean, and securely locked, especially following after-hours shifts.
• Remove all added equipment from carts, detail and prepare for return to the vendor.
• Maintain accurate logs of all golf carts repairs to help ensure the entire fleet is returned in satisfactory condition.
• Assist with final post-event clean-up, strike, and tear down of the Golf Cart Garage and Living Pod.
• Assist with Golf Cart returns and clean up in Reno post-event. 

Leadership (15%)

• Act as a helpful and transparent intermediary for involved departments, managers, and vendors.
• Approach problem-solving with a creative and positive mindset, helping staff and vendors find practical solutions to unexpected challenges.
• Proactively update and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) throughout the season to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
• Lead by example in time management, fostering a crew environment built on accountability, teamwork, and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.
• Maintain a safe, effective, and 100% sober working environment during shifts to tackle top-priority tasks with a clear head.
• Wrap up the season by submitting a constructive AfterBurn Report to the Golf Carts Manager, highlighting successes, areas for improvement, and ideas to make next year even better.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Attend and support department morning meetings.
• Work with the Business Operations Teams to plan and execute LNT and Waste stream plans.
• Adjust workflow to support fluctuating safety protocols as directed.
• Be familiar with, understand and act in accordance with Burning Man’s staff policies, protocols and behavioral standards.
• Participate in specified projects and perform other job-related 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.

• Mentoring - Mentors crew members in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and experience that will allow them to advance in the organization. Aids, encourages, and inspires the team.

QUALIFICATIONS

 Required

• Possess a solid working knowledge of gas golf cart mechanics or small engines, and basic wiring for lights and accessories.
• Demonstrate the ability to quickly and safely diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair common mechanical issues on the fly.
• Operate standard mechanic tools safely and effectively, working well both independently and as part of a collaborative crew.
• Respond appropriately and quickly to remediate any potential chemical or fuel spills.
• Safely lift up to 60 lbs. of dynamic weight and can comfortably stand, kneel, bend, and squat for extended periods of time.
• Maintain a strong commitment to safe driving practices at all times.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, offering customer service with a friendly and patient attitude.
• Utilize 2-way radios effectively while following standard radio protocol.
• Identify tasks proactively and initiate execution with minimal direction.
• Operate with integrity and discretion regarding sensitive information, while maintaining an organized and tidy workspace.
• Enter and maintain accurate service logs in the Business Services Dashboard.
• Remain calm, focused, and professional under pressure or in emergencies, and readily integrate feedback into action.
• Bring a positive, can-do approach to problem-solving, with just enough grit and experience to keep the fleet moving smoothly.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, extreme outdoor event environment, requiring physical stamina, adaptability, and a willingness to get dirty while working through drastic temperature changes, high winds, poor air quality, and periods of low to no visibility at times.
• Ability to temporarily relocate for work at the Burning Man event held in Gerlach, Nevada

Preferred 

• Prior experience attending Burning Man and/or familiarity with its culture is highly beneficial.
• Familiarity with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and its role in supporting the event.
• Working mechanical knowledge of small engines that can be utilized in field based operations with creative problem solving abilities. 

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 August - September is $15.75 - $18.25 per hour.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Off-playa:  Work is primarily standing and bending while cleaning and restoring Golf Carts to original status. This happens in Reno and away from the extremes of the playa.
• 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.