DPW Playa Restoration Crew

Job Description:

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Playa Restoration Crew members support the Burning Man post-event cleanup effort on the Black Rock Desert, NV, including the event site, key infrastructure, and surrounding highways. Working as part of a large field crew, team members walk in coordinated formation for miles each day to scan for and remove any residual debris after the event. This role requires physical stamina, punctuality, and a strong commitment to the Burning Man community’s Leaving No Trace principle.

Crew members also assist with specialized cleanup operations as needed and are expected to follow safety protocols, collaborate effectively with teammates, and uphold the values of professionalism and environmental responsibility.

This is a live/work field role based in a remote desert environment, requiring sound judgment, reliability, and the ability to perform duties responsibly in a safety-sensitive, team-based setting.

This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From September - October: Full-Time for ~ 2 weeks, Non-Exempt, based in Black Rock City, Nevada. 

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on September 8th, 2025.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Daily Operations

• Live and work in shared conditions alongside various crew members, contributing to a respectful, team-oriented environment throughout the season.
• Maintain reliable attendance and active participation for the duration of the contract, including on-time arrival for daily Roll Call, scheduled shifts, meetings, and assignments. Accurately track and sign off on daily work hours as required.
• Walk in a coordinated line sweep, in unison with a large field crew, to scan and remove debris across several miles of Black Rock Desert terrain each day.
• Support specialized cleanup objectives as assigned, including:
  • Special Forces – targeted cleanup in high-priority areas
  • Highway Cleanup – assisting with roadside debris removal
  • Abandoned Items Removal – identifying and helping remove large items left behind
  • Test Team – simulating the BLM site inspection
• Maintain safety and situational awareness while working outdoors for extended hours in extreme desert conditions.
• Follow instructions from crew leads and assist with related field tasks.
• Use tools such as trash grabbers/pickup tools, magnet sweepers, and buckets to safely and efficiently collect debris.
• Help with setup, breakdown, and maintenance of tools and supplies.
• Embody and uphold Burning Man’s Leaving No Trace principle in all duties.
• Maintain respectful conduct at all times, including effective communication and cooperation with teammates and supervisors, while also striving to bring an upbeat attitude and fun, inclusive atmosphere to the team.
• Be familiar with, understand, and act in accordance with Burning Man’s staff policies, protocols, and behavioral standards.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• Knowledge sharing – Helps acculturate and educate junior staff in Burning Man culture and business processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Ability to temporarily relocate for work at the Burning Man event held in Gerlach, Nevada.
• Willingness to live and work in a shared, remote environment with communal accommodations and limited personal space.
• Must be able to perform duties safely, responsibly, and with sound judgment, appropriate for working in a safety-sensitive, high-accountability team environment.
• Capable of working and maintaining stamina in an extreme environment, including walking several miles per day over uneven desert terrain in high heat or blustery cold, drastic temperature changes, high winds, poor air quality, dust storms, and low to no visibility at times.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, thinking clearly and responding effectively to unforeseen events.
• Able to work as part of a large field team, follow instructions, and receive and integrate feedback.
• Capable of tracking time worked, managing tasks, and completing assignments within stated deadlines.
• Able to set healthy personal boundaries, monitor personal well-being and manage self-care, while proactively communicating any concerns to management.
• Knowledge of Burning Man values, ethos, and the 10 Principles, especially Leave No Trace.

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.

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 - October is $15.00 to $16.50 per hour.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• 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.