DPW Transfer Station Crew

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Transfer Station Crew works the daily operations of the Black Rock City Transfer Station and contributes to set up, maintenance, and strike. Crew members are responsible for following plans for landfill, recycling, and materials management, including the safe and effective use of equipment such as the cardboard baler and burnables incinerator. Additionally, they play an important role in supporting the infrastructure of BRC by staffing the Transfer Station, servicing remote recycling collection points, and participating in recycling operations for the Burner Express Bus (BxB) program. This role requires a strong commitment to teamwork, adherence to safety practices, and a proactive approach to learning and applying best practices under guidance.

This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

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

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on 04/24/25.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Daily Operations (90%)

• Review current SOPs, plans; Assist with the survey, build, and strike of the Transfer Station and remote recycling collection points.
• Work daily operations at the Transfer Station, and material removal from remote recycling points.
• Support DPW Organics Management in sorting and removing recycling and burnable waste streams from the Commissary.
• Ensure a clean and safe work environment; follow best practices and the use of OSHA-approved personal protective equipment (PPE); follow safety precautions for all relevant equipment.
• Support the proper use, maintenance, and cleanliness of Fleet Vehicles, work sites, and resources utilized by the Transfer Station Crew throughout the event.
• Work closely with the Transfer Station Management to execute and refine Leave No Trace (LNT) plans, including line sweeps of the Transfer Station.
• Participate in effective communication: attend necessary meetings, handle correspondence, and communicate any operational or personal issues promptly to management.
• Uphold respectful behavior within the live/work areas.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (10%)

• Help implement and support changing safety protocols as directed.
• Read, understand, and act in accordance with Burning Man’s staff policies, protocols, and behavioral standards.
• Provide end-of-season feedback via the designated form or the EMBER process, highlighting successes and challenges to enhance future efficiency and effectiveness.
• Monitor personal well-being by setting realistic boundaries and managing self-care while proactively addressing any concerns with management.
• Perform various other duties as directed.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Knowledge of Burning Man values, ethos, and 10 Principles; especially Leaving No Trace.  
• Able to follow directions, receive and integrate feedback into action, maintain a professional demeanor, and respectfully interface with collaborators.
• Clear, service-oriented and respectful communication, verbally and written. 
• Effective at task switching, with good time-management skills, can evaluate and reprioritize workload as necessary.
• Ability to think quickly, problem solve, apply critical thinking to create solutions, and remain calm under pressure; Situationally aware and safety-minded, able to work long hours in extreme conditions.
• Operates with behavioral integrity, is organized and adaptable, diligent, and able to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experienced (1+ years) experience in event-based production work.
• 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 worked for Burning Man’s TSA Team and/or is familiar with its operations, or has at minimum been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture
• OSHA 10 Certification.
• Basic carpentry skills.

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.

COMPENSATION: 

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

• From August - September is $ 15.00 to $16.50  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.