JOB SUMMARY
The Department of Public Works (DPW) Plumbing Crew assists the DPW Plumbing Leads and DPW Water & Plumbing Operations Manager to facilitate the plumbing needs of the BRC Playa operations. They will assist with installation, maintenance, and repair of potable water tanks, gray water tanks, sinks, water heaters, showers, igloo filling stations, and other plumbing systems on Playa. They will work with the Plumbing Leads to de-winterize equipment and tanks in the beginning of the event cycle as well as strike and prepare equipment for storage at Burning Man’s staging facilities at the end of the event cycle.
This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is:
- From August - September: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, based on-site out of Black Rock City, Nevada.
The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on May 25, 2026.
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Operations (50%)
- Work independently and with the plumbing crew to install, sanitize, maintain, troubleshoot, and disassemble potable and grey water systems for BRC departments.
- Interface with user groups, emphasizing a willingness to be flexible to their needs.
- Provide feedback on team logistics; maintain clear communication with the DPW Water & Plumbing Team.
- Collaborate with Plumbing Volunteers; share techniques and best practices as necessary.
- Work with the Plumbing Team to de-winterize equipment and tanks in the beginning of the event cycle as well as strike, inventory, and assist with winterization of plumbing equipment and materials for storage at Burning Man’s staging facilities at the end of the event cycle.
Documentation (30%)
- Maintain continuity in documentation, reports and tracking standards outlined by the DPW Utilities Superintendent.
- Assist the DPW Plumbing Quartermaster in keeping a basic inventory of all materials.
- Keep regular, accurate, and up-to-date logs of work progress and material usage.
- Relay relevant updates on work flow and material needs to the DPW Water & Plumbing Operations Manager and/or the Plumbing Team so it can be accounted for in a timely manner.
- Prepare written feedback for the DPW Utilities Superintendent describing the successes of the season, areas in need of improvement and suggestions with the purpose of improved overall efficiency for the next year.
Communications (15%)
- Collaborate and communicate daily with relevant Burning Man Departments, Crew Managers and Vendors.
- Work with the DPW Water & Plumbing Team on shared tasks and resources.
- Educate users of plumbing systems about appropriate and safe water usage.
- Attend and support crew attendance to Team Meetings and DPW Morning Meetings.
Other Functions & Responsibilities (5%)
- Maintain clear and respectful communication with the DPW Water & Plumbing Team, BRC Departments, Vendors, Participants, and Artists.
- Work with the DPW Water & Plumbing Team to plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans.
- Help to establish and oversee the maintenance of a clean and safe worksite; ensure that all team members are provided with the necessary OSHA approved safety equipment.
- Review and understand the BRC Rain Contingency Plan and help to execute as directed.
- Read, understand, and abide by the rules and codes of conduct according to the Burning man Staff policies, protocols and behavioral standards.
- Help implement Burning Man’s Integrated Plan and work with all BRC departments to ensure water distribution and safety.
- Monitor personal well-being, be aware of work expectations while also setting realistic boundaries, and proactively address any concerns with management
- Perform various other duties as assigned by DPW Management.
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:
- Completed DPW Water & Plumbing Operations packet
- Accurate use of handheld digital devices for tracking needs
- Knowledge of basic plumbing installation and operations, maintenance and troubleshooting, including a basic knowledge of the correct and safe use of construction tools.
- Working knowledge of OSHA compliant personal protection equipment, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers.
- Able to safely navigate city streets and access roads that are congested with participants, bicycles, and vehicles.
- Proficient at navigating digital and online technology; Able to proactively engage in learning existing online applications, tools, systems, and documents.
- Clear, service-oriented and professional communication, verbally and written. Experienced with using 2 way radios and following radio protocol.
- 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.
- 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 been to Burning Man and is familiar with the event worksite, Black Rock City and its departments.
- Experience working in remote wilderness and/or desert environments.
- Familiarity with email, reading spreadsheets, and maps.
- OSHA 10 Certification (May be earned through in house training).
- First-Aid knowledge.
- Preferred to have a valid Driver’s License and a good driving record.
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 August - September is $15.50 to $17.25 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.
