DPW Power Operations Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Power Operations Manager both plans part-time in the pre-season and oversees the power grid operations for the Black Rock City infrastructure full-time during the event. They will supervise and ensure that DPW Power operations are conducted in a manner prioritizing safety, timeliness, and professionalism. Responsibilities include leading the DPW Power Crew through building, troubleshooting, maintaining, and deconstructing the power grids that serve the essential functions of Black Rock City. 

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From March - July: Part-Time for 15 hours per week, Non-Exempt, based fully remote . 
• From July - September: Full-Time, Exempt, based on-site out of Black Rock City, Nevada. 
• From October - December: Part-Time for 10 hours per week, Non-Exempt, based fully remote . 

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.
• Maintain an in depth and current understanding of DPW Power Department operations.
• Wear your allocated PPE (personal protective equipment) which is specific for the materials you are handling, and order replacement PPE for the Power Crew as needed.

Event Advance (15%) Pre-season remote work to plan for the event.

• Work with the DPW Utilities Superintendent to assemble a team and assist with the hiring process of the crew. Interview for all staff positions in your area. Recruit for volunteer positions. Forward candidates to DPW Utilities Superintendent for final approval and hiring.
• Schedule and plan for the on-site installation of the infrastructure power grids; Collaborate with the DPW Power Technical Consultant on the planning, logistics, budgeting, and timeline of DPW Power Crew Operations.
• Provide information, advice, and planning assistance to Burning Man Departments and ensure that their requests are timely, complete and justified.
• Collaborate with the Utilities Superintendent to complete pre-season ordering of all necessary tools, supplies, and staff resources needed to complete construction of the BRC Power Grids.
  • Ensure that the Power crew gets the assets (housing, vehicles, radios, etc.) that it needs.
  • Determine power requests from groups supported on the infrastructure power grids, determine the deployment timeline, work with DPW Utilities Superintendent, the DPW Power Technical Consultant and the Power Vendor to determine the equipment list and delivery schedule.
  • Alongside the DPW Utilities Superintendent work pre-season with vendors and event partners, including Commissary Vendor, BLM, and Law Enforcement, to see that their on site power needs are met.
• Design and implement the layout of Power Camp and the Power Yard and contribute to the design of a cohesive Utilities Village.
• Manage the annual update of public educational documents.

Operations  (35%)

• Work with the DPW Power Technical Consultant to oversee the workflow of the DPW Power crew using maps, spreadsheets and Gantt charts to ensure the work plan is executed safely, with attention to detail, and adheres to a strict timeline schedule in accordance with the DPW Operations Calendar.
  • Assess, troubleshoot, and rectify any problems associated with power systems in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Maintain and delegate 24 hour, on-call operations throughout the on playa construction and event season; be prepared and willing to solve for unanticipated challenges at all hours.
  • Manage the deinstallation and storage of all Power equipment and supplies, in order to assure that they will be in good condition the following season.
• Support the safety of the Power Crew for the duration of DPW Operations regulating efficiency and expectations according to OSHA and DPW safety guidelines.
  • Support daily safety inspections at the beginning and end of every shift and immediately report any concerns to the DPW Utilities Superintendent.
• Collaborate and communicate daily with relevant Burning Man Departments, Crew Managers and Vendors.
  • Maintain daily communication with Power Vendors. Update the office map and online map with generator locations in the city and update the DPW Fuel Mobile Ops team with any generator location changes as they occur.
  • Coordinate with other Utilities managers for work on sites that have overlapping services.
  • Coordinate with and support the work of the BRC Interdepartmental Mapping Project.
• Participate in Managers’ Meetings, create reports, and maintain related correspondence.

Team Management and Leadership (25%) 

• Tactfully manage a team of volunteer and paid staff, reassign and redirect workflow using education, empowerment, and delegation when appropriate or necessary, monitoring team morale and setting manageable work expectations.
  • Communicate the needs and challenges of the crew to the DPW Utilities Superintendent.
  • Adapt to changes in the timeline and milestones as directed by the DPW Utilities Superintendent; Break down directives into manageable action items for the crew.
  • Advocate, mentor, and empower crew members to ask for what they need to advance and succeed in their chosen roles.
• Support and maintain clear communication with the DPW Power Crew.
  • Know, share, and use the proper pathways of communication for escalating personnel issues. Follow established DPW documentation protocols.
  • Proactively address any crew concerns and work with relevant Management to adjust work expectations according to realistic boundaries and resources.
  • Be available and accountable as a source of good information for the crew and other departments.
• Proactively take the lead on the training of crew members under chain of command.
• Review and teach the BRC Rain Contingency Plan, emergency response plans and the Burning Man Integrated Plan and when to execute each with your team.
  • Be prepared to act as an integral leader in the rapid deployment of these plans.
• Create and actively manage staff work schedules, and log and report crew work hours by established deadlines on a weekly basis.
  • Ensure crew hours are kept within a predetermined threshold to maintain safe operations.
  • Confirm timesheets with crew and submit to payroll by deadline.
• Attend and support crew attendance to Team Meetings and DPW Morning Meetings. 
• Create training materials for the Power Crew and provide training pre-playa and on-playa.

Documentation and Tracking (20%)

• Maintain continuity in documentation, reports and tracking standards outlined by the DPW Utilities Superintendent.
  • Create regular reports to keep the DPW Utilities Superintendent informed of progress and areas of concern.
• Maintain budget awareness: discuss any purchases outside of allocated budget with DPW Utilities Superintendent. Submit receipts and any expense reports in a timely manner (within 60 days of the transaction date).
• Use database and logistics skills to effectively manage the tracking system for all power grids.
  • Maintain daily thorough, detailed records of the work done for each site and user group with the help of the Power Technical Administrative Assistant.
• Oversee the tracking and maintenance of inventory; document the condition of tools, supplies, and infrastructure throughout the season. Create order lists for the following season before departure.
• Work with Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft Word and Excel, and any additional online tools, technology, spreadsheets, maps, and applications specific to this role as required.
• Commit to improving and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for this role and crew operations throughout the season for accuracy. 
• Prepare written feedback for the DPW Utilities Superintendent 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.
• Provide feedback to DPW Management for groups who were a strain on Power Department Resources.

Other Functions and 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.
• 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.
• Track personal hours worked; submit timecard by shared, bi-weekly deadline.
• Read, understand, and abide by the rules and codes of conduct according to the Burning man Staff policies, protocols and behavioral standards. 
• Help implement Burning Man’s Integrated Plan and work with all BRC departments to ensure power distribution and safety.
• 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 - 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

• Able and willing to follow standards set in necessary trainings that can be provided on site:
  • Completed DPW Power Operations packet
• An understanding of basic electrical principles and the fundamentals of North American portable power systems.
• 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.
• 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, teach and effectively update existing online applications, tools, systems, spreadsheets, maps and documents.
• Expert in handling data entry with an attention for accuracy; highly organized, able to prioritize, and motivated with the ability to adhere to a strict schedule. 
• 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. 
• 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 

• Journeyman Electrical License or ETCP Electrical Certification.
• OSHA 10/30 certification (May be earned 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

• 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  and  October - December  is $20.00 to $25.00 per hour.
• From July - September is $1300.00 to $1400.00 per week.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Off-playa (planning):  Work is primarily sedentary in nature, no special demands are required.
• On-playa:  Work is primarily sedentary but will also 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.  At times the work may include lifting equipment. Some 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.