DPW Golf Cart Support Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

As the Department of Public Works (DPW) Golf Cart Support Specialist, you are the welcoming face and organizational hub of the Golf Cart Shop. You play a vital role in creating a fun, upbeat, and efficient environment for everyone who comes through our doors. Your day-to-day involves managing golf cart check-ins and check-outs, tracking the fleet, and providing top-notch, hospitable service to all users. Behind the scenes, you’ll actively support the mechanics with inventory cataloging and repair prep, while also helping to guide our dedicated volunteer crew.

While you'll spend most of your time keeping the onsite shop tidy and running like a well-oiled machine, you’ll also occasionally head out into the field to assist with mobile repairs, breakdowns, and cart rescues. From rolling up your sleeves for the pre-event shop build to managing the final post-event clean-up and vendor returns, you are essential to keeping the fleet moving and the team morale high.

This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is: 

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

 

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00pm Pacific on March 30th.

 

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Daily Operations (75%)

• Assist with the pre-event construction and setup of the Golf Cart Shop to get operations up and running.
• Manage the check-in and check-out process, accurately tracking keys and carts.
• Provide approachable, friendly, and professional assistance to all golf cart users, acting as the welcoming face of the shop.
• Assist the mechanics with installing adequate lighting, safety features, and event-specific equipment on all golf carts prior to use.
• Train and guide daily Volunteer Resource Team (VRT) members on proper cart servicing and shop protocols, fostering a positive and helpful environment.
• Monitor the service queue to ensure carts are attended to efficiently and in the correct priority order.
• Step in to support service crew volunteers during high-volume periods, lunch breaks, or operational overflows to keep things moving smoothly.
• Keep the shop well-stocked by monitoring daily service supplies, organizing inventory, and acquiring refills as needed.
• Enter and maintain accurate service logs in the Business Services Dashboard.
• Assist with final post-event clean-up, strike, and tear down of the Golf Cart Garage and Living Pod.
• De-rig all added equipment, clean the carts, and prepare the fleet for post-event vendor return.
• Assist with Golf Cart returns and clean up in Reno post-event. 

Leadership (20%)

• Serve as a helpful, transparent liaison between departments and managers, keeping communication positive and operations running smoothly.
• Approach problem-solving with a creative and collaborative mindset, helping staff find practical and clever solutions to unexpected challenges.
• Lead by example through excellent personal time management, actively supporting the crew to foster a workspace built on accountability, teamwork, and the flexibility to adapt.
• Maintain a safe, effective, and 100% sober working environment during shifts so you are always ready to tackle top-priority tasks with a clear head.
• Wrap up the season by submitting a constructive After Burn Report to the Golf Carts Manager, highlighting team successes, areas for improvement, and your best ideas to make next year's shop even better.

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Attend and support department morning meetings.
• Work with the Business Operations Teams to plan and execute LNT and Waste stream plans.
• Be familiar with, understand and act in accordance with Burning Man’s staff policies, protocols and behavioral standards.
• Participate in specified projects and perform other job-related duties as assigned.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• Documentation - Assists in the 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

• Able to temporarily relocate to Gerlach, Nevada, embracing the adventure and commitment of working on-site at the Burning Man event.
• Bring a strong background in customer service, with a natural ability to create a positive, welcoming, and fun environment in the shop.
• Demonstrate sharp organizational skills and a keen eye for detail, ensuring no key, cart, or clipboard gets lost in the shuffle.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, always maintaining a friendly, service-oriented attitude.
• Utilize 2-way radios effectively while confidently following standard radio etiquette to keep the team connected.
• Embody proactive and responsive peer support for a diverse team, modeling a great work ethic while maintaining firm boundaries and adhering to shop standards.
• Operate with integrity and discretion regarding sensitive information, while keeping your workspace and daily habits organized and tidy.
• Remain calm, focused, and respectful under pressure or in emergency situations, and readily integrate feedback into action.
• Proactively identify what needs to be done around the shop and jump into action with minimal direction.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, extreme outdoor event environment, remaining adaptable and upbeat through drastic temperature changes, high winds, poor air quality, and periods of low to no visibility.

Preferred 

• It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture.
• Familiarity with DPW.

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 August - September is $15.00 - $17.00 per hour.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Off-playa:  Work is primarily standing and bending while cleaning and restoring Golf Carts to original status. This happens in Reno and away from the extremes of the playa.
• 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.