DPW Site Services Dispatcher

JOB SUMMARY

As a vital gear in the Department of Public Works (DPW) machine, the Site Services Dispatcher is the frontline hero ensuring the invisible infrastructure of Black Rock City flows smoothly- literally. Working with the Business Services Team, you will provide logistical support to the Site Services Manager, acting as the mission control for all things sanitation, greywater, and trailer servicing. You are the essential link between internal departments and third-party vendors, transforming a whirlwind of requests into a precise, actionable symphony of dispatch routes. In this role, you’ll master the art of resource allocation in a fast-paced environment, managing real-time data and budgeting notations with the focus of a pro to curate a smooth end-of-season reconciliation. If you’re ready to trade the mundane for the dust and help build the city from the ground up, this is your chance to keep your finger on the pulse behind the curtain. 

  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 5:00pm Pacific on May 20, 2026.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Documentation / Administrative Support (80%)

• Provide site services support to the Site Services Manager and DPW Logistics Manager. 
• Perform daily administrative duties such as dispatching, calendaring, entering data, spreadsheets, and email while being flexible with others’ timelines and schedules and meeting logistics deadlines.
• Radio dispatch requests and observations regarding sanitation and trailer servicing needs
• Answer incoming and make outgoing calls on 2-way radio regarding portos, tank filling and pumping, and shower facilities regarding placement, issues, and removal.
• Provide guidance and set service expectations through Slack channels and other social mediums.
• Work with Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft Word and Excel, and any additional online tools, technology, or applications specific to this role as required.
• Use office and maintain equipment to share information: print and copy requests.
• Deliver clear, concise, and diplomatic oral and written communications.
• Follow the standards as outlined by management. Document and capture all relevant site services information via radio, email, and Google Sheets.

Personnel Support (15%)

• Greet and interface with departmental representatives/leads in operational spaces.
• Reasonably and creatively assist staff with problem-solving efforts and alternate solutions.
• Receive inquiries, feedback, changes, and scenarios with patience and grace from a customer service lens.
• Answer incoming and make outgoing calls on 2-way radio regarding portos, tank filling and pumping, and shower facilities regarding placement, issues, and removal.
• Maintain the integrity of the Logistics & Site Serivces Department by actively participating in the correct allocation of resources and assisting departments to stay within budget and timeline constraints.
• Prepare written feedback for DPW Management describing the season's successes, areas in need of improvement, and suggestions for improved overall efficiency for the next year; Submit an end-of-season EMBER Report.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Be prepared to operate between office and field objectives on a daily basis.
• Work with the team to plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans for all relevant operations.
• 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.
• Perform other duties as required

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.
• Learning – Pursues ongoing learning in their area of expertise, working to stay current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

 Required

• Ability to apply creative problem-solving techniques and maintain an effective administrative workflow.
• Clear, service-oriented, and professional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the patience to support diverse needs.
• Ability to take direction and foster a cooperative team environment while initiating tasks with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive) and Microsoft Office, with a willingness to learn and update internal tracking tools.
• Experience with accurate data entry and the ability to stay organized and prioritize tasks under a strict schedule.
• Ability to handle dynamic situations, proactively seek clarification, and integrate feedback into daily actions.
• Capacity to remain calm and focused under pressure or in emergency situations while maintaining a professional demeanor.
• Consistent personal integrity and the ability to keep a tidy, organized work environment when handling important information.
• Capable of working in an extreme environment, including drastic temperature changes, high winds, and low visibility.
• Ability to temporarily relocate to the Burning Man event site in Gerlach, Nevada.

Preferred 

• 1 year of customer-facing work experience
• Prior experience with radio communication or dispatching processes.
• Water tank specs and/or plumbing fundamentals
• It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture.

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 $17.00 per hour.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Off-playa:  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.  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.