DPW Transfer Station Supervisor

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Transfer Station Supervisor facilitates the daily operations of the Transfer Station during the Black Rock City event, supporting on operational execution from pre-event setup to post-event breakdown. This role involves helping to coordinate the Transfer Station Crew, maintaining facility operations, and aiding in the implementation of plans for efficient material handling, including the safe operation of the cardboard baler and burnables incinerator. The Supervisor helps manage resources and maintains a safe work environment. Under guidance, this position supports the operation of the remote recycling collection points and the recycling operations for the Burner Express Bus (BxB) program.. Additionally, this role supports the application of best practices within the crew and cross-departmental collaborations. The role demands adaptability and a proactive approach to maintaining safety and operational efficiency in a fast-paced setting.

 This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

• From August - September: Full-Time, Exempt, based in Black Rock City, Nevada.

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on May 15th.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Site Operations (70%)

• Review current SOPs, plans, and inventory requirements for the season.
• Assist with the survey, build, and strike of the Transfer Station and remote recycling collection points; oversee storage of all related equipment and materials.
• Help oversee daily operations at the Transfer Station and material removal from remote recycling points.
• Coordinate with management and waste stream leads on the placement and servicing of dumpsters at additional collection sites.
• Support the DPW Organic Waste Crew in sorting and removing recycling and burnable waste streams from the Commissary.
• Ensure a clean and safe work environment; enforce best practices and the use of OSHA-approved personal protective equipment (PPE) among the crew.
• Regularly communicate with waste stream leads at Staff Camps, Ranger, and ESD Outposts to ensure correct material sorting.
• Execute and refine Leave No Trace (LNT) plans, including line sweeps of the Transfer Station.
• Remain available via radio during working hours, on-call shifts, and respond to emergencies as needed.

Personnel Support (20%)

• Mentor the crew as a positive role model and team leader, instructing in skills and best practices.
• Uphold respectful behavior within the live/work areas, enforcing the Behavioral Agreement when necessary.
• Enhance workflow through education, empowerment, and delegation, fostering a strong team identity, monitoring morale, and setting manageable work expectations.
• Report any injuries or issues immediately; proactively address performance changes.
• Train crew members on the proper use and safety precautions for all relevant equipment, especially the cardboard baler and burnable incinerator.

Documentation (5%)

• Support accurate collection and submission of staff working hours for bi-weekly payroll.
• Provide end-of-season feedback via the designated form or the EMBER process, highlighting successes and challenges to enhance future efficiency and effectiveness.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Read, understand, and act in accordance with Burning Man’s staff policies, protocols, and behavioral standards.
• Engage in cost reduction and implement sustainability practices actively.
• Promptly communicate any personal or interpersonal issues, injuries, or concerns about duty performance to your Manager. Provide clarity about your capabilities, boundaries, and self-care needs.
• Perform various other duties as directed.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Knowledge of Burning Man values, ethos, and 10 Principles; especially Leaving No Trace.  
• Able to follow directions, receive and integrate feedback into action, maintain a professional demeanor, and respectfully interface with collaborators.
• Effective at task switching, with good time-management skills, can evaluate and reprioritize workload as necessary.
• Ability to think quickly, problem solve, apply critical thinking to create solutions, and remain calm under pressure; Situationally aware and safety-minded, able to work long hours in extreme conditions.
• Proven leadership skills and experience managing a diverse team with a willingness to promote their strengths and respect their limitations; Ability to lead by example, energize and engage people while still maintaining firm boundaries and adhering to set standards.
• Operates with behavioral integrity, is organized and detail-oriented, reliable, and fulfills obligations.
• Experienced (1+ years) in waste stream sorting or similar, preferably with a strong knowledge of Resource Recovery Management (Organics/Recycling) and operational waste management processes.
• Clear, service-oriented, and professional communication, verbally and written, with good interpersonal teaching skills. Experienced with using 2-way radios and following radio protocol.
• 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

• It is helpful if the candidate has previously worked for Burning Man’s TSA Team and/or is familiar with its operations, or has at minimum been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture.
• OSHA 10 Certification.
• Experienced (1+ years) leadership experience in event-based production work.
• Practiced in facilitating team meetings and mediation.
• Basic carpentry skills.

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 pay rate for this position:
  From August - September is $ 16.00 to $18.50  per hour. 

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.

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.
• Notice for Remote Opportunities: Burning Man Project is currently able to hire remote employees living/working in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, LA, MA, MI, MT, NC, NH, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI. Working hours for all positions are based on Pacific Time.

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