DPW Fuel Accounts Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Fuel Accounts Manager will review and approve all fuel account requests made by the Burning Man community. Leading up to the event, this role will be responsible for educating the community on safe fueling and fuel storage practices, reviewing generator and fuel storage placement on Theme Camp maps, assessing requests from Mutant Vehicle owners, corresponding with Art Projects regarding fueling needs, and reviewing fuel requests from Outside Services (OSS) vendors. On site, the DPW Fuel Accounts Manager will oversee accounts registration at Hell Station and DMV. They will collect all the necessary information needed to finish setting up accounts including verifying the identities of leads and notifying Mobile Ops to dispatch DPW Field Agents to register assets for fueling. This role will also manage the DPW Finance and Records Lead who processes the accounting for all fuel and affiliated products distributed through the Fuel Department. 

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From March - July:  Part-Time for 11 hour 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 5:00 pm Pacific on February 2, 2025.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

General

• Be on time and ready to work for all scheduled shifts.
• Work independently and with the Fuel Crew to ensure a safe and efficient participant fuel program.
• Wear your allocated PPE (personal protective equipment) which is specific for the materials you are handling. Let your Manager know if you need replacement PPE.

Event Advance (15%)

• Assist with assembling and hiring a team, including interviews, volunteer recruiting, and forwarding candidates to the DPW Fuel Department Manager for final approval.
• Review BRC Fuel Program and Fuel Storage web pages and outgoing media communication with the DPW Fuel Department Manager.
• Make contact with fuel users to understand, estimate and prioritize their needs using established communication standards.
• Collaborate with the DPW Technology Lead and DPW Finance & Records as accounts are approved to facilitate the push of approved accounts to Fulcrum and the payment system.
• Prepare a map for the Fuel Mobile Operations team showing all approved generator locations and color coded by size, as laid out by the DPW Fuel Department Manager.
• Determine any supply needs and request necessary pre-playa purchase orders.

Daily Operations (25%)

• Accurately set up accounts for all users to ensure that tracking is done properly.
  • Interface with account holders and address any concerns.
• Collaborate and communicate daily with relevant Burning Man Departments, Crew Managers, and Vendors
  • Collaborate with the DPW Propane Operations Lead to support requests for propane approval and tank rental, as well as the readiness for inspection on site.
  • Work with the DPW Fuel Mobile Operations Manager to ensure that all open accounts are receiving deliveries, and that notices are being placed on the generators of any participant clients whose accounts may be on hold.
• Maintain and ensure that educational PETROL materials are available to the DMV, Art Support Services (ASS), Placement, and other teams as needed on Playa; be available for training and questions as requested.
• Proactively attend meetings and create reports to keep the DPW Fuel Department Manager informed of progress and areas of concern.
• Effectively address fuel safety concerns with BRC Theme Camp Managers and Artist participants in collaboration with the DPW Fuel Department Manager and DPW Fuel Mobile Operations Manager. 

Documentation and Tracking (25%)

• Maintain continuity in documentation, reports, and tracking standards outlined by the DPW Utilities Superintendent.
• Manage and collaborate on documentation on participant account statuses throughout the season. Update records for problem users in shared documents.
• Keep a basic inventory of all materials. Inventory must be submitted at the end of the postseason.
• 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.
• 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.

Team Management and Support (20%)

• Tactfully manage the DPW Fuel Accounts team of paid and volunteer staff. Reassign and redirect workflow using education, empowerment, and delegation when appropriate or necessary, monitoring team morale and setting manageable work expectations.
• Proactively take the lead on the training of crew members under the chain of command.
  • Create educational materials for various Registration Crews and provide training pre-playa and on-playa.
• Review and teach the BRC Rain Contingency Plan, Fuel Spill Response Plan, Burning Man Integrated Plan, and emergency response plans; understand when to execute each with your team.
  • Be prepared to act as an integral leader in the rapid deployment of these plans.
  • Ensure that the Accounts Team is well versed in Burning Man procedures for responding to fuel spills from the trucks. 
• Create and actively manage staff work schedules, and log and report crew work hours by established deadlines weekly.
  • Ensure Registration Desk, Field Registration Agent, and Registration Dispatch Staff hours are kept within a predetermined threshold to maintain safe operations.
  • Ensure that any changes to schedules are distributed to staff by the evening before their shift.
  • Confirm timesheets with the crew and submit them to the Personnel Manager by the deadline. 
• Attend and support crew attendance to daily Team Meetings and DPW Morning Meetings as relevant; Assist in running daily meetings for Hell Station Crew and maintain related correspondence. 
• Oversee activity of DPW Fuel Accounts Lead as they assist with Participant account communications.
• Oversee the payment processing by the DPW Fuel Finance and Records Lead and assist with communications with account holders to resolve payment issues.

Community Relations (10%)

• Maintain clear and respectful communication with the DPW Fuel Team, BRC Departments, Vendors, Participants, and Artists.
• Escalate any concerns to DPW Fuel Depot Operations Management or the DPW Fuel Department Manager as appropriate. 
• Observe safe data-handling practices, and prioritize protecting account holders’ personal and financial information according to PCI Compliance and department standards.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Work with the Fuel Crew to plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans.
• Maintain budget awareness: monies spent, current balance, anticipated costs etc. Proactively discuss any potential adjustments or concerns with Management as soon as possible.
• Help to establish and oversee the maintenance of a clean and safe worksite; ensure that all team members are provided with the necessary OSHA approved safety equipment.
• Read, understand, and abide by the rules and codes of conduct according to the Burning Man Staff policies, protocols, and behavioral standards. 
• 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
  • 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 that are 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, and effectively update existing online applications, tools, systems, spreadsheets, and documents.
• Expert in handling data entry with attention to accuracy; highly organized, able to prioritize, and motivated with the ability to adhere to a strict schedule.
• 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.
• 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.)
• Clear, service-oriented, and professional communication, verbally 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. 
• Effectively manages own time, the time of individual team members, and the efforts of the team as a whole.
• 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 (May be 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

• Point-of-sale PCI Compliance Training. (available in-house)
• 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 March - July is $17.50 to $18.50 per hour.
• From August - September is $1250 to $1400 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.