DPW Playa Restoration Bus Driver

Burning Man; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 24,796 - 27,552; Full time

Job summary

Burning Man seeks a Bus Driver for Playa Restoration to safely transport crew between Gerlach or Black Rock Station and daily desert assignments. You will maintain the vehicle, coordinate with leadership, and support evacuation and safety procedures as needed.

This is a temporary, full-time, non-benefits role based in Black Rock City, Nevada, September–October. You will work in a remote environment and must adhere to Burning Man’s 10 Principles and Leave No Trace while ensuring crew safety and

Qualifications

• Ability to safely operate a passenger bus in varied terrain and conditions.
• Sound judgment and calm, professional demeanor on a high-accountability team.
• Ability to work independently and with a large field team.
• Positive, collaborative attitude with clear communication.
• Capable of tracking time worked and meeting deadlines.
• Willingness to live in a remote, communal environment.
• Knowledge of Burning Man values and Leave No Trace principles.

Responsibilities

• Safely drive bus to transport crew between Gerlach/Black Rock Station and daily work sites.
• Perform daily vehicle inspections, fueling, and cleanliness to ensure safe operation.
• Maintain attendance, sign daily hours, and coordinate with supervisors.
• Use two-way radios to monitor crew location and support Line Sweep ops.
• Ensure safety, conduct walkarounds, and enforce on-playa driving protocols.
• Monitor crew for fatigue or heat illness and report safety concerns.
• Assist with evacuations and crew accountability during incidents.
• Uphold Leave No Trace and uphold respectful conduct with all stakeholders.
• Participate in meetings, training, and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Safe bus operation

Safety awareness

Independent work

Team communication

Time tracking

Extreme environment adaptation

Leave No Trace adherence

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Playa Restoration Bus Driver is responsible for the safe transportation of Playa Restoration crew members between Gerlach or Black Rock Station and daily work assignments on the Black Rock Desert. Throughout the workday, the Bus Driver remains onsite, providing a mobile base of operations and shelter while supporting the Line Sweep crews by establishing a visible operational boundary and remaining available for crew movements as needed. The Bus Driver is responsible for the routine maintenance, cleanliness, and fueling of their assigned vehicle to ensure it remains safe, reliable, and operational throughout the season. During periods of inclement weather or other emergencies, the Bus Driver initiates evacuation procedures and conducts crew headcounts when directed by Playa Restoration leadership to help ensure the safety and accountability of all assigned personnel. At the conclusion of each workday, the Bus Driver safely returns assigned personnel to Gerlach or Black Rock Station.

This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is:

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

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on August 11th, 2026.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Daily Operations (95%)

• Maintain timely, professional communication with supervisors to support safe and effective operations.
• Safely drive an assigned bus to transport Playa Restoration crew members between Gerlach or Black Rock Station and daily work assignments on the Black Rock Desert.
• Perform daily inspections and routine maintenance to ensure the assigned bus is clean, fueled, mechanically sound, and ready for safe operation according to Auto-Shop standards prior to departure.
• Maintain reliable attendance and active participation for the duration of the contract, including on-time arrival for daily Roll Call, scheduled shifts, meetings, and assignments. Accurately track and sign off on daily work hours as required.
• Maintain awareness of crew location and progress throughout the day using two-way radios required for coordination and safety, remaining available to support Line Sweep operations and crew movements as directed.
• Support the safety and well-being of the crew by operating with caution, conducting vehicle walkarounds, adhering to all on-playa driving protocols, and maintaining a safe, orderly environment on the bus.
• Monitor crew members throughout the day for signs of fatigue, heat stress, illness, injury, or other safety concerns, communicating issues promptly to the appropriate leadership.
• During emergency evacuations or other incidents, assist with crew accountability, evacuation procedures, and the safe transportation of personnel as directed by the Environmental Restoration Manager or Roll Call Manager.
• Embody and uphold Burning Man's \"Leave No Trace\" principle in all duties, including conscientious operation and care of assigned vehicles and equipment.
• Maintain respectful conduct at all times, including effective communication and cooperation with crew members, teammates, supervisors, other departments, and the public.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• 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, practicing self-care, and proactively communicating any concerns that may affect safety or job performance.
• Adjust daily workflow to support shifting operational needs and safety protocols as directed.
• Participate in meetings, training, and briefings as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Playa Restoration operations.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• Learning – Pursues ongoing learning in their area of expertise, working to stay current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Ability to safely operate a passenger bus in varied terrain and conditions while adhering to all applicable driving laws, organizational policies, and on-playa vehicle protocols.
• As part of a safety-sensitive, high-accountability team, driver must be able to exercise sound judgment at all times, maintain situational awareness, and remain calm, patient, and professional while performing all duties involved in this role.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a large, coordinated field team, follow directions, receive and integrate feedback, and respond well to unforeseen events.
• Positive, collaborative attitude with the ability to maintain respectful, open communication with teammates, supervisors, passengers, other departments, and the public.
• Capable of tracking time worked, managing tasks, and completing assignments within established deadlines.
• Willingness to live and work in a shared, remote environment with communal accommodations and limited personal space.
• Knowledge of Burning Man values, ethos, and the 10 Principles, especially Leave No Trace.
• Capable of working in an extreme environment, including walking several miles per day over uneven desert terrain in high heat, drastic temperature changes, high winds, poor air quality, dust storms, and periods of low to no visibility.
• Ability to temporarily relocate for work at the Burning Man event held in Gerlach, Nevada.

Preferred

• Previous experience :
  
  • attending or working at Burning Man and familiarity with its culture and operating environment.
  • operating GPS navigation devices.
  • working in a remote wilderness environment.
  • working with construction, public works, or field operations crews.
• Knowledge of Leave No Trace practices.

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
• Class B Commercial Driver’s License, Passenger Endorsement, Air Brake Endorsement

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 $18.00 to $20.00 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.