NVO Kitchen Assistant Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Kitchen Assistant Manager will be responsible for assisting in all aspects of kitchen duties including being available to be hands-on in the kitchen when needed as well as completing administrative duties. This role will support the management of the kitchen staff and their scheduling. 

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

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on March 20th, 2026.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Crew Management (40%)

• Coordinate and assign tasks as needed for the successful completion of meal service, including but not limited to prepping, serving, cleaning. 
• Willing to travel and work at both Kitchen locations - Saloon & Ranch as needed.
• Address crew issues, and interpersonal conflicts within the crew following the Burning Man Project conflict resolution and de-escalation process. 
• Appropriately give both affirming and constructive feedback to crew members. 
• Ensure compliance with proper waste removal techniques as instructed by waste management. 
• Address logistical issues as they arise to ensure the completion of vital tasks.
• Willingness to work breakfast, lunch and or dinner shifts when needed for schedule coverage.

Food Service (35%)  

• Contribute to food preparation, service, and cleanup duties as needed.
• Ability to work on each station in the kitchen, including but not limited to dishwashing, prepping, cooking, serving, and cleaning. 
• Scale recipes and produce lists for shopping as needed. 
• Responsible for knowing crew counts and dietary needs and posting them in clearly visible locations in all kitchens daily; Ensuring options are provided for all dietary needs. 
• Responsible for timing and portion control when present.
• Assistance in organizing and planning food service for special events. 

Kitchen Administrative Duties (20%)        

• Participate in team menu creation, shopping lists, and meal prep lists.
• Support the crew supervisor in schedule creation as needed to accommodate meal service.
• Submit receipts and expense reports to management.  
• Update all Kitchen documents weekly. 
• Make ongoing revisions to the menu plan, scale recipes, and produce lists for shopping as needed. 

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Deliver meals during the event season.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• Documentation - Drives the creation, publishing, and maintenance of process documentation related to assigned duties.
• 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.
• Mentoring - Mentors subordinates in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and experience that will allow them to advance in the organization. Aids, encourages and inspires their team.
• 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.
• Speaking – Represents Burning Man as a subject matter expert and culture-bearer, as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Ability to adjust schedule seasonally to relocate and work in Gerlach, Nevada. 
• Worked in a kitchen and understands workflow, timing and overall kitchen stress.
• Must have experience operating a fryer, flat top, convection oven, or traditional oven, as well as possess basic knowledge of knife skills.
• Abide by the rules and codes of conduct described in the NVO Manager Toolbox, NVO Compass, Ranch Protocols, and the NVO Kitchen S.O.P.

Preferred

• It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man or is familiar with its culture.
• Experience leading a team, including teaching, coaching, mentoring, educating, and redirecting. 

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.
• The candidate requires a Nevada State Food Handlers Permit upon hire. 

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 $23.00 - $27.00 per hour.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Off-playa: This position requires periods of heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, squatting, and climbing. 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:  Work is performed off playa at the Black Rock Saloon and will  require periods of heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, squatting, and climbing. 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.