DPW Site Services Manager

JOB SUMMARY The Department of Public Works (DPW) Site Services Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of all sanitation and potable water services for the Burning Man event. This role leads a site services dispatch team and a trailer servicing unit that supplies potable water to staff trailers. Responsibilities include coordinating the deployment and maintenance of portos, water tanks, handwashing stations, shower facilities, and RV pumping services to ensure seamless operations in a fast-paced, challenging environment. The role interfaces with our third-party vendor to ensure sanitation services are executed to high standards, manages service requests, develops dispatch schedules, allocates resources, and maintains records for budgeting and end-of-season reconciliation. This essential position demands strong operational prowess, proactive leadership, and a commitment to excellence throughout. This temporary, ineligible-for-benefits role is: From July – September Full-Time, Non-Exempt Based at Black Rock City, Nevada Deadline to apply: 5:00pm PST on April 29th, 2026. DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Operations and Administrative Support (65%) Provide comprehensive administrative support to the DPW Logistics Manager and Site Services Team. Facilitate smooth operations by optimizing resource allocations, ensuring sanitation-related tasks and deadlines are met, and supporting teams within budget constraints; operate between office and field objectives as needed. Utilize mapping tools to identify, plan, and communicate locations, service routes, and logistical details with clear guidance to team members and vendors across the event site. Enforce safety protocols and empower crew members to prioritize health and safety. Execute daily tasks including dispatch coordination, calendar management, data entry, and email communications; deliver clear and professional oral and written communications. Use Google Workspace and Microsoft Office to streamline processes and share information efficiently. Manage two-way radio communications to address service requests, dispatch support, and share live feedback; coordinate portos, tank filling, pumping, and shower facility issues. Maintain an organized office presence, ensure equipment is set up and operational, and manage printing and other support tasks. Engage with departmental representatives and operational leads to foster a cooperative work environment and ensure clear cross-team communication. Personnel Management/ Leadership (20%) Assist staff in problem-solving and developing solutions to operational challenges, fostering a supportive and responsive work environment. Address inquiries, feedback, and change requests with professionalism and a focus on customer service, contributing to team cohesion and accountability. Attend relevant meetings and facilitate crew participation, maintaining correspondence to keep communications relevant. Documentation (10%) Document site services data via radio logs, email, and digital spreadsheets; create and submit reports on asset usage, maintenance, and status as requested by management. Continuously improve and update SOPs for assigned projects to reflect current practices. Provide constructive feedback for DPW Management, including end-of-season reports and recommendations for improvement. Submit end-of-season EMBER reports detailing operational challenges and pain points. Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%) Review and teach the BRC Rain Contingency Plan, emergency response plans, and the Burning Man Integrated Plan, including when to execute each. Plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans for relevant operations. Participate in meetings and maintain related correspondence via Burning Man mailing lists. Follow Burning Man staff policies, protocols, and behavioral standards. Monitor personal well-being, set realistic goals, and address concerns with management. Embrace supplemental responsibilities to support the department’s mission and ensure seamless operation of the event. LEARNING AND TEACHING Documentation – Assists in the creation, publishing, and maintenance of process documentation related to 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 to stay current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes. QUALIFICATIONS Required Minimum of 2+ years of leadership experience supervising direct reports, including managing schedules and team communications; able to lead by example and foster a cooperative, accountable team culture. Minimum of 2 years in a client-facing role with excellent interpersonal skills; able to solve problems creatively in dynamic environments and maintain a professional service-oriented demeanor with staff, vendors, and participants. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to engage in proactive conversations, incorporate feedback, and handle sensitive information with discretion. Strong organizational skills with attention to detail in data entry and tight schedules; advanced proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; quick to learn new tools. Ability to maintain a tidy, safe, efficient work environment with healthy boundaries; self-motivated with strong time-management and ability to work independently. Willing and able to temporarily relocate to the Burning Man event site in Gerlach, Nevada, for the full duration of the DPW contract. Capable of working in extreme environments with drastic temperature changes, high winds, poor air quality, and low visibility; able to stay calm under pressure and in emergency situations. Preferred Technical knowledge of water tank specifications, travel-trailer plumbing, or small-engine troubleshooting. Prior experience in Black Rock City or similar remote event environments. Experience managing vendor relations including delivery, inspections, service scheduling, and returns. REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS Valid driver’s license and a good driving record. COMPENSATION Individual compensation decisions depend on factors including prior experience and location. The anticipated rate for this position is: From August – September is $17.50 to $19.50 per hour. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT Off-playa: Work is primarily sedentary; no special demands. On-playa: Work is largely sedentary but may require meeting with department representatives away from the main site; some outdoor exposure and variable temperatures. NOTICE FOR ALL APPLICANTS Burning Man Project encourages diverse applicants, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, Immigrant, women, and people with disabilities of all ages. Burning Man Project provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics. This policy covers all terms and conditions of employment. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. #J-18808-Ljbffr