DPW Playa Restoration Line Boss

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Playa Restoration Line Boss is responsible for leading a Line Sweep team through each block of Black Rock City, ensuring the cleanup and removal of MOOP (Matter Out Of Place) and bringing the playa up to the standards of cleanliness determined by the Bureau of Land Management’s Site Inspection.

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From September - October: Full-Time, Exempt, based Black Rock City, Nevada. 

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on July 10, 2026.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Staff Supervision (85%)

• Leads the Line Sweeps while monitoring and assessing the environmental impact within Black Rock City with a strategic focus on the City Camping areas, Open Playa, Walk-In Camping, and other areas as assigned.
• Uniformly lines up the Line Sweeps crew and ensures there is adequate coverage of the area.
• Effectively communicates Leave No Trace expectations, techniques, and procedures to the Line Sweeps crew.
• Lead a crew in the field to remove all small debris on a block-by-block basis to a standard set by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
• Maintain a direct line of communication between the Playa Restoration Manager and the crew.
• Maintain a safe working environment for the crew by ensuring that medical supplies stay fully stocked, there are always personnel present with emergency medical training and a line of communication stays open for emergency services.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (15%)

• Work with the Team to plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans for all relevant operations.
• Adjust workflow to support shifting safety protocols as directed.
• Participate in 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 personal well-being by setting realistic goals and managing self-care while proactively addressing any concerns with management.
• Perform other duties as required.

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.
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Knowledge of Burning Man values, ethos, and 10 Principles; especially Leaving No Trace.
• Maintain a respectful demeanor and tactful communication with collaborators, participants, Burning Man Departments and staff.
• Has experience and is comfortable with two-way radio communication with the ability to sustain professionalism in any situation.
• Able to work as part of a team, follow directions and receive constructive feedback; Is reliable, honest and operates with a high level of behavioral integrity.
• Ability to maintain organization of duties and adhere to tight scheduling, completing tasks in a timely, safe manner; Able to reprioritize workload as necessary and account for time spent.
• Able to remain calm under stress while working and respond effectively to unforeseen events.
• 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 

• It is helpful if the candidate has previously :
  • been to Burning Man or is familiar with its culture.
  • worked cleanup for any Regional Events Playa Restoration and/or is familiar with its operation and methods.
• OSHA 10 Certification 
• Significant experience in event-based production work.

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.

COMPENSATION

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

• From September - October is $16.00 to $18.00 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. 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.