DPW Playa Restoration Responder

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Playa Restoration Responder is a crewmember of the “Resto Response Team,” supporting the Environmental Restoration Manager in addressing environmental cleanup priorities within Black Rock City, primarily during the Burning Man event. This hands-on role is proficient in desert cleanup remediation, including the customer service aspect of responding to interdepartmental calls for assessment and support on the Playa. This position emphasizes prompt and effective response to maintain the environmental standards set for the event.

This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

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

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on May 11th.

 DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Field Response and Representation (90%)

The Playa Restoration Responder acts as an official delegate of the Environmental Restoration Manager, playing a crucial role in addressing environmental incidents throughout Black Rock City during the event. This includes:

• Report directly to the Environmental Restoration Manager.
• Rapidly respond to and remediate environmental issues such as fuel spills, blackwater/greywater spills, abandoned items, matter out of place, and other environmental challenges.
• Photo documenting remediation efforts, GPS location tracking, and progress reports.
• Proper handling and disposal of contaminated material and debris.
• Interface with staff, theme camps, artists, vendors, and participants about Leaving No Trace principles and practices whenever appropriate.
• Assist with Leaving No Trace efforts on roadways as needed.
• Monitoring the fence line for potential hazards and compromised structural integrity.
• Safe operation of fleet vehicles and equipment.
• Ensuring all assets, equipment, and supplies are secure, accounted for, and readily available for operations.
• Set up and strike of staff camp and operations.
• Supporting team cohesion and participation in engagement activities.
• Uphold respectful behavior within the live/work areas.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (10%)

• Monitor personal well-being by setting realistic boundaries and managing self-care while proactively addressing any concerns with management.
• 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.
• Perform various other duties as directed.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• Knowledge sharing – Helps acculturate and educate junior staff in Burning Man culture and business processes.

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 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 Burning Man’s Playa Restoration Crew (1-3 seasons), Regional Events LNT Crews, and/or is familiar with such operations and methods.
• It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture.
• OSHA 10 Certification.

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 $15.75 to $18.25 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.