DPW Playa Restoration Oscillator

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Playa Restoration Oscillator drives the cleanup tool trucks, facilitating the removal of challenging areas of environmental impact and identifies high impact areas for targeted removal. 

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

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

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on July 17, 2026.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Field Response and Representation (80 %)

• Drive the Playa Restoration tool truck alongside the Line Sweeps, observing calls for assistance and facilitating the cleanup and removal of problematic areas of impact on the environment.
• The daily loading and unloading of cleanup tools from the Resto Trailer to the work trucks.
• Responsible for the appropriate transfer into the dumpster of refuse materials such as contaminated playa, landfill, recycling, and other matter out of place.
• Attend daily MOOP Map Meeting with the Environmental Restoration Manager at the end of each work day to review status updates, assess projected workloads, and address any needs or concerns
• During an emergency evacuation from the Black Rock Desert, is responsible for helping to facilitate evacuation procedures and safe transportation as directed by the Environmental Restoration Manager and Roll Call Manager.
• Keep an eye on the line sweep crewmembers for fatigue and bodily safety.

Assets Management (5 %)

• Assist the Environmental Restoration Manager with maintaining inventory of Restoration tools.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (15%)

• Work with the Team to plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans for all relevant operations.
• Adjust workflow to support shifting safety protocols as directed.
• Participate in meetings when requested and maintain related correspondence.
• 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 and managing self-care while proactively addressing any concerns with management.
• Assist the Environmental Restoration Manager with various other priorities as assigned

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

 Required

• Knowledge of Burning Man values, ethos, and 10 Principles; especially Leaving No Trace. 
• Maintain a respectful demeanor and tactful communication with collaborators, participants, Burning Man Departments and staff.
• Has experience with two-way radio communication with the ability to sustain professionalism in any situation.
• Able to work as part of a team, follow directions and receive constructive feedback; Is reliable, honest and operates with a high level of behavioral integrity.
• Ability to maintain organization of duties and adhere to tight scheduling, completing tasks in a timely, safe manner; Able to reprioritize workload as necessary and account for time spent.
• Able to remain calm under stress while working in extreme environmental conditions  and respond effectively to unforeseen events
• 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 Playa Restoration Crew/ cleanup for any Regional Events Playa Restoration and/or is familiar with the operations and methods.
  • been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture.
  • OSHA 10 Certification 
• Experience in event-based production work, familiarity with Burning Man preferred.

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 September - October is $15.00 to $17.00 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.