DPW Highway Cleanup Assistant Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Highway Cleanup Assistant Manager supports the Highway Cleanup Manager in the safe, responsible roadside cleanup of debris following the Burning Man event population exodus. This role actively promotes the Leave No Trace (LNT) ethos while supervising highway teams to meet Burning Man event production timelines in accordance with official government agency stipulations. This is a short-term, post-event contract of approximately 10–12 days, immediately following the event.

This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From September - September: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, based inBlack Rock City, Nevada and surrounding areas. 

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00pm Pacific on June 29th, 2026.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Field Supervision, Representation, and Response (55%)

• Represent the Highway Cleanup Manager and the Environmental Restoration Manager on local highways and in communities, interfacing with cooperating agencies to accomplish shared goals.
• Locate, monitor, and document environmental impact concerns; execute actions to ensure strict compliance with Leave No Trace procedures.
• Supervise personnel to ensure safe driving practices, safety in action and adherence to cleanup operating procedures in the field.

Staff Oversight and Support (30%)

• Directly supervise Highway Cleanup personnel, managing daily work activity, locations, and hours.
• Provide operational oversight, maintaining awareness of the DPW timeline and adjusting field work accordingly.
• Maintain prompt, professional communication and exercise appropriate discretion.
• Mentor staff to nurture growth and ensure a smooth experience for the team.
• Address personnel-related matters, including conflict resolution and tracking payroll/HR inquiries, reporting significant issues to the Highway Manager and Environmental Restoration Manager.
• Lead with transparency, clear communication, and integrity.
• Support recruitment and training efforts; foster a team culture focused on retention.

Asset Management (10%)

• Manage the inventory and maintenance of all Highway Cleanup safety gear and equipment.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Work with the Team to plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans for all relevant operations.
• Adjust workflow to support changing safety protocols as directed.
• Participate in Manager Meetings when requested and maintain related correspondence.
• 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 various 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.
• Learning – Pursues ongoing learning in their area of expertise, working to stay current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 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
• Clear, service-oriented and professional communication, verbally and through written correspondence. Experienced with using 2 way radios and following radio protocol.
• Able to embody proactive, present and responsive leadership qualities for a diverse team while still maintaining firm boundaries and adhering to set standards.
• Experience managing staff/volunteers with a willingness to promote their strengths and respect their limitations. Ability to tactfully manage, reassign and redirect workflow using education, empowerment, and delegation when appropriate or necessary.
• Able to receive and integrate feedback into action, remain calm and focused under pressure and emergency situations, and maintain a professional demeanor that leads by example.

Preferred 

• 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 September - September is $17.00 to $20.00 per hour.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• On-site:  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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