DPW Power Crew

Burning Man Project; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 22,041 - 24,108; Full time

Job summary

A unique cultural organization is seeking a Power Crew member for a temporary on-site role in Black Rock City, Nevada. The candidate will assist in the construction and maintenance of municipal power grids, ensuring effective communication with stakeholders. This role requires a commitment to safety standards and the ability to navigate challenging environments. Paid hourly between $16.00 and $17.50, the position is physically demanding and requires teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Able to follow standards set in necessary trainings.
• Working knowledge of OSHA compliant PPE.
• Proficient in navigating city streets congested with participants.
• Clear and professional verbal and written communication.
• Operates with integrity and discretion of sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Assist in layout, construction, maintenance, and strike of power grids.
• Collaborate on daily operations and maintenance of electrical grids.
• Document and track work progress, materials inventory, and site maps.
• Ensure communication with various stakeholders including vendors and users.

Skills

Communication skills

Proficiency in digital technology

Problem-solving under pressure

Knowledge of OSHA equipment

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.

Temporary Role

This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is:

• From August - September: Full‑Time, Non‑Exempt, based on‑site out of Black Rock City, Nevada.

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on May 3, 2026.

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 as scheduled in order to respond to urgent or emergency situations with the power grid
• 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
• Assist in the end of season strike, ensuring that all materials are successfully retrieved, sorted, and packaged properly 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 the successes of the season, areas in need of improvement and suggestions for overall efficiency for the next year; 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, 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 Management.

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

• Able and willing to follow standards set in necessary trainings that can be provided on site
• Working knowledge of OSHA compliant personal protection equipment, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers
• Able to safely navigate city streets and access roads that are congested with participants, bicycles, and vehicles
• 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 2‑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)
• It is helpful if the candidate has been to Burning Man and is familiar with the 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 - September is $16.00 to $17.50 per hour

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• 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