JOB SUMMARY
The Department of Public Works (DPW) Assistant Manager of Mobile Fuel Operations works with the DPW Mobile Fuel Operations Manager to manage the safe mobile distribution of fuel in Black Rock City (BRC) and Black Rock Station. They will assist in leading a 40-person crew of Drivers, Trackers, Dispatchers, and the Asset Controller. They ensure that operations are conducted in a manner that prioritizes safety, timeliness, professionalism, and efficient data collection. This important work requires both attention-to-detail and the ability to see the broader picture at any given moment to keep the city humming. They will interface with the participant community and work to ensure good relations and safe conduct for our city as a whole. In addition to the physical aspects of the job, this role will be required to learn, effectively use, and update existing online systems and documents.
This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is:
- From June - June: Part-Time (approximately 12 hours of training preseason), Non-Exempt, based fully remote.
- From August - September: Full-Time,Exempt, based on-site out of Black Rock City, Nevada.
The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on April 3, 2026.
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Advance Planning (15%)
- Support the timely setup of the Mobile Fuel Operations office, DPW Fuel Depot, Hell Station, HEaT fuel tanks, and Point 1 fuel tanks.
- Assist in overseeing the safe and timely distribution of liquid fuel to required locations.
- Collaborate with the DPW Fuel Safety Lead to ensure that all team members, fuel worksites, mobile operations, and fuel trucks will be compliant with OSHA safety regulations and have the required safety equipment.
Daily Operations & Maintenance (35%)
- Assist in overseeing all fuel delivery for the duration of DPW Mobile Fuel Operations, regulating efficiency and expectations according to OSHA and DPW safety guidelines.
- Assist in establishing maintenance schedules for the Fuel Team vehicle fleet. Support twice daily safety inspections and report all maintenance needs to the DPW Fuel Safety Lead and DPW Fuel Mechanic Lead.
- Assist the DPW Mobile Fuel Operations Manager in communicating daily with relevant Burning Man Departments, Crew Managers, and Vendors.
- Proactively attend meetings and create reports to keep the DPW Fuel Department Manager informed of progress and areas of concern.
- Effectively address fuel safety concerns with BRC Theme Camp Managers and Artist participants in collaboration with the DPW Fuel Department Manager and DPW Fuel Accounts Manager.
Team Management and Support (25%)
- Tactfully assist in managing the DPW Fuel Mobile Ops team of paid and volunteer staff. Reassign and redirect workflow using education, empowerment, and delegation when appropriate or necessary, monitoring team morale and setting manageable work expectations.
- Oversee the DPW Fuel Dispatch Team to make sure incoming fuel requests are documented, communicated to the correct person, and fulfilled. Ensure drivers are provided with information on new assets to be fueled and any updates while they are on route promptly.
- Proactively take the lead on the training of crew members under the chain of command in collaboration with the Fuel Personnel Manager.
- Review and assist in teaching the BRC Rain Contingency Plan, Fuel Spill Response Plan, and Burning Man Integrated Plan, and know when to execute each with your team.
- Assist the DPW Mobile Ops Manager with tracking Mobile Ops crew work schedules, and logging and reporting crew work hours by established weekly deadlines.
- Attend and support crew attendance to daily Team Meetings and DPW Morning Meetings as relevant; Maintain related correspondence.
Documentation & Tracking (20%)
- Assist with the tracking of gasoline and diesel delivered to infrastructure, artists, and theme camps, seeing that it is accurately documented and filed by the daily deadline.
- Anticipate, stay current, and track the use of materials and supplies.
- Use database and logistics skills to effectively create and adjust reasonable delivery routes for fuel drivers.
- Work with Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft Word and Excel, and any additional online tools, technology or applications specific to this role as required.
- Commit to improving and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for this role and crew operations throughout the season for accuracy.
- Prepare written feedback for the DPW Utilities Manager describing the successes of the season, areas in need of improvement and suggestions with the purpose of improved overall efficiency for the next year; Submit an end-of-season EMBER Report.
Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)
- Maintain clear and respectful communication with the DPW Fuel Team, BRC Departments, Vendors, Participants, and Artists.
- Maintain budget awareness: monies spent, current balance, anticipated costs, etc. Proactively discuss any potential adjustments or concerns with Management as soon as possible.
- Work with the Fuel Crew to plan and execute LNT and waste disposal plans.
- Read, understand, and abide by the rules and codes of conduct according to the Burning Man Staff policies, protocols, and behavioral standards.
- Monitor personal well-being, be aware of work expectations, and proactively address any concerns with management.
- Perform various other duties as assigned by DPW Fuel Management.
Additional On-playa Duties and Responsibilities
- Exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance within the department.
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.
- 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. 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:
- Able and willing to follow standards set in necessary trainings that can be provided on-site.
- Working knowledge of OSHA-compliant personal protection equipment, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers.
- Must have been to Burning Man and be familiar with the event worksite, Black Rock City and its departments.
- Capable of climbing a ladder and safely traversing the top of the fuel storage tanks; Able to drive safely and navigate Black Rock City streets that are congested with pedestrians, bicycles, and mutant vehicles.
- Understanding of event production timelines, budgeting and inventory maintenance, and working with integrated plans.
- Proficient at navigating digital and online technology; Able to proactively engage in advanced learning, teach, and effectively update existing online applications, tools, systems, spreadsheets, and documents.
- Able to maintain consistent organization and tidiness in the work environment and in handling important information (ie, tracking, personnel data, goals and timelines, payroll, etc.)
- Operates with a high level of behavioral integrity, confidentiality and discretion of sensitive information; maintains tidiness in work ethics and the work environment, and remains calm and focused under pressure.
- Clear, service-oriented and professional communication, verbally and written. Experienced with using 2-way radios and following radio protocol.
- Able to embody present and responsive leadership qualities for a diverse team while maintaining firm boundaries and adhering to set standards; Operates with a high level of behavioral integrity and reliability.
- Able to integrate feedback into action, remain calm and focused under pressure or emergency situations, and maintain a professional demeanor that leads by example.
- 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
- OSHA 10 Certification (Maybe acquired through in-house training)
- Experience supervising major projects in remote wilderness and/or desert environments.
- First-Aid knowledge.
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
- Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean 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 June - June is $15.00 to $17.00 per hour.
- From August - September is $1000.00 to $1150.00 per week.
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.