Burning Man

NVO Shiftpod Lead

Nevada Operations - Gerlach, NV - Seasonal

 

JOB SUMMARY

The Shiftpod Lead will coordinate with the NVO/BRC Housing manager and assistant manager for the daily operations of the Shiftpod crew and directing the team with the distribution and collection of Shiftpod and Kodiak assets, crew training, inventory, maintenance, scheduling, setting up and taking down of the domed and canvas tents. This position will also assist in supervising the BRC Housing Shiftpod Crew, managing and organizing the long term storage and cleaning of all assets. 

 

This is a temporary, full-time, non-exempt role, based in Gerlach, NV running from May to October, 2026.

 

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on April 15th 2026

 

 

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

Tents  (80%)                                                                                      

  • Respond to calls for Shiftpod/Kodiak orders, assistance, replacement parts, and power needs.
  • Deliver and/or make available Shiftpod/Kodiaks and AC units to the necessary departments/people; setting up and/or providing instructions for setting them up in requested locations and ensuring their functionality.
  • Train crew how to handle, set up, transport, and maintain assets in a safe and efficient manner.
  • Maintain inventory and location of tents on playa to ensure all requests are met. 
  • Responsible for responding to requests for service during the event. 
  • Track and collect assets in a timely manner post event.
  • Clean and organize assets, AC units, and storage containers pre and post event at BRS.
  • Post event at Black Rock Station (The Ranch): assemble and assess tents and ACs for broken parts. Ensure asset cleanliness and readiness for the following year’s event.
  • Monitor work schedules in collaboration with NVO Management.


 

Dispatched (10%)

  • Maintain a radio presence; collect, track, and efficiently dispatch incoming information and requests to the Housing team, liaising with other departments and vendors as necessary.
  • Under the direction of the BRC Housing Manager, communicate with residents to help facilitate and schedule the movement of Staff Housing.
  • Maintain regular communication with residents regarding timelines for the transportation of housing.
  • Collaborate with the BRC Housing Manager to support the development of troubleshooting guides to aid the dispatch team in adequately evaluating and directing incoming calls.
  • Monitor the progress of service calls; coordinate with the Housing Maintenance and Logistics team to inform residents of estimated repair time.
  • Document and/or update management of the status and completion of each maintenance and repair task daily.
  • Support the Housing Dispatch Lead and BRC Housing Manager in coordinating radio traffic with service vendors, ensuring that services are delivered with high quality and reliability.
  • Coordinate with the Housing Dispatch crew, maintain daily dispatch logs to track all services provided.
  • Deliver daily reports of completed work to your supervisor and/or the Housing Dispatch crew and clarify details as requested.
  • Keep detailed vehicle log books.

 

Other Functions and Responsibilities (10%)

  • Attend daily NVO Crew’s Morning Meetings.
  • Be familiar and act in accordance with Burning Man’s staff policies.
  • Monitor personal and staff well-being with awareness of work expectations, time commitments, potential burn-out, and proactively address any concerns with the manager.
  • Establish and oversee the maintenance of a clean and safe worksite.
  • Provide written feedback describing the successes of the season and areas in need of improvement.
  • Perform other duties 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

  • Communication Skills: Clearly and concisely communicates verbally and through written correspondence. Tailors' communication to the receiving party with appropriate professionalism. Experienced and comfortable with using 2 way radios.
  • Is aware of the need for and able to uphold and practice discretion.
  • Computer Skills: Knowledge of Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive) and Microsoft Word  Excel and Maintain X.
  • Organization: Works well in close quarters with others; instills and applies order and cleanliness to the work environment and pays careful attention to detail in handling important information.
  • Practiced in taking detailed and accurate notes and relaying time-sensitive information.
  • Resilience: Accepting feedback and remaining calm and focused under pressure.
  • Time Management Skills: Effectively manages time of self and team.
  • Honest and ethical with a dedication to the Burning Man principles and behavioral standards.
  • Responsible, and fulfills obligations.
  • Open to change and considerable variety in daily tasks.
  • Maintains a respectful and polite demeanor, providing services with care and offering thoughtful acknowledgment and accommodation of requests.
  • Able to adjust schedule seasonally to work at the Burning Man event held in Nevada.  
  • Abide by the rules and codes of conduct described in the NVO Compass, Ranch Protocols, and the Housing S.O.P.

 

PREFERRED

  • Working knowledge of database entry.
  • General knowledge of electricity and construction.
  • Experience working on projects in remote wilderness and/or desert environments.
  • Previous experience with Burning Man and /or familiarity with its operations and /or 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 pay rate for this position is $__16___ to $__18___ per hour.


 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Off-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.
  • 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.
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