DPW Power Crew

awfcsevadg; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 22,041 - 23,419; Full time

Job summary

Burning Man Project's Department of Public Works is seeking a Power Crew member to help lay out, construct, maintain, and strike municipal power grids at Black Rock City. You will work with DPW staff and vendor technicians to ensure reliable service and clear communication with grid users.

This on-site, full-time temporary role runs August to September 2024, with on-call duties and end-of-season material retrieval.

Qualifications

• Follow on-site trainings and safety standards.
• OSHA-compliant PPE, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers knowledge.
• Safely navigate city streets and congested access roads.
• Proficient with digital tools, spreadsheets, maps and documents.
• Clear, service-oriented communication; experienced with two-way radios and radio protocol.
• Ability to work in extreme environments with temperature changes, high winds, poor air quality, and low visibility.
• Willing to relocate temporarily to Burning Man in Gerlach, NV.

Responsibilities

• Daily Operations & Maintenance: Collaborate in construction and maintenance of BRC electrical grids, ensure safe worksite and proper PPE.
• Documentation & Tracking: Update progress docs, materials inventory, and site maps; improve SOPs.
• Other Functions & Responsibilities: Communicate with DPW Power Team, vendors, participants; support LNT and waste plans; follow Burn­ing Man policies.

Skills

Communication

PPE awareness

Safety compliance

Emergency response

Tools

Two-way radios

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Power Crew member will assist in the layout, construction, maintenance, and strike of municipal power grids within Black Rock City. They will work closely with DPW staff and vendor technicians to get the job done. Effectively using and tracking available materials, they will be expected to interface and effectively communicate with the users of their power grids to ensure that they receive the best possible service.

JOB DETAILS

• From August - September 2024
• Full-Time
• Non‑Exempt
• On‑site in Black Rock City, Nevada
• Temporary position, ineligible for benefits
• Application deadline: 5:00 pm Pacific on June 29th

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Daily Operations & Maintenance (55%)
  • Collaborate in the construction and maintenance of BRC electrical grids with awareness of the configuration of the overall grid layout.
  • Participate in on‑call duties to respond to urgent or emergency situations with the power grid.
  • Help establish and oversee the maintenance of a clean and safe worksite; ensure all team members receive necessary OSHA‑approved safety equipment.
  • Assist in the end‑of‑season strike, ensuring all materials are retrieved, sorted, and packaged for return to storage or the appropriate distributor.
• Documentation & Tracking (35%)
  • Regularly update work progress documentation, materials inventory, and site maps to maintain accuracy throughout the event cycle.
  • 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 successes, areas for improvement, and suggestions for overall efficiency; submit an end‑of‑season EMBER Report.
• Other Functions & Responsibilities (5%)
  • Maintain clear and respectful communication with the DPW Power Team, BRC Departments, Vendors, Participants, and Artists.
  • Work with the Power Crew to plan and execute LNT and waste disposal plans.
  • Review and understand the BRC Rain Contingency Plan and help to execute as directed.
  • Attend and support crew attendance to Team Meetings and DPW Morning Meetings.
  • 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, set realistic boundaries, and proactively address any concerns with management.
  • Perform various other duties as assigned by DPW Management.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• Documentation
  • Assist in the creation, publishing, and maintenance of process documentation related to assigned duties.
• Knowledge sharing
  • Help acculturate and educate junior staff in Burning Man culture and business processes.
• Training development
  • Collaborate with the education team to develop training materials in their area of expertise, as requested.
• Learning
  • Pursue ongoing learning in their area of expertise, staying current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicable to all applicants:
  • Able and willing to follow standards set in necessary trainings provided on site.
  • Working knowledge of OSHA‑compliant personal protection equipment, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers.
  • Able to safely navigate city streets and congested access roads.
  • Proficient at navigating digital and online technology; able to proactively engage in learning existing online applications, tools, systems, spreadsheets, maps, and documents.
  • Clear, service‑oriented and professional communication, verbally and written; experienced with using two‑way radios and following radio protocol.
  • 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.
  • 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:
  • Experience with entertainment, commercial, and/or residential electrical (1 to 3 years).
  • Familiarity with the Burning Man event worksite, Black Rock City, and its departments.
  • Experience working in remote wilderness and/or desert environments.
  • Familiarity with email, reading spreadsheets, and maps.
  • OSHA 10 Certification (may be earned through in‑house training).
  • First‑Aid knowledge.
  • Valid driver’s license and a good driving record.

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

• N/A

COMPENSATION

• From August to September: $16.00 to $17.50 per hour.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• On‑playa: The position requires periods of heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, squatting, and climbing. It will be physically demanding, requiring good physical health and endurance. Work may include walking or using transportation to find and meet with department representatives. Much of the work will be outdoors and 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 encourages Black, Indigenous, People 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.