DPW Signs Production Assistant Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Signs Production Assistant Manager will assist with the creation and fabrication of Black Rock City’s infrastructure signage for the Burning Man event. They will assist in supervising and scheduling the Signs Team and in supporting all planning, daily operations, and budget tracking associated with the DPW Signs Project Production program.

This temporary, ineligible for benefits role is:

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

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on March 12th, 2025.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Operations (60%)

• Assist the Signs Manager in overseeing the daily operations, production schedule, and maintenance of the Sign Shop.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of assigned projects, recommending appropriate changes in methods, materials, schedules, and procedures as needed.
• Aid in managing the design and fabrication (including the plotting and cutting) of street, inner city, and Burma-Shave signs for vinyl cutter.
• Assist in logging and documenting all incoming and current jobs during the production processes
• Commit to improving and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for this role throughout the season for accuracy, providing insight and feedback to aid in the maintenance of the Signs Production operations manual.
• Aid in the itemizing and shipping of signs to Black Rock City (BRC) for the installation team.
• Assist and support the Signs Installation Assistant Manager with sign installation.
• 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.
• Create and execute a schedule to maintain street signs during the event; check for accuracy, damage, and any safety issues.

Personnel Support (20%)

• Train and support staff, maximizing efficiency while maintaining a safe work environment in the Sign Shop.
• Maintain effective and clear communication with all staff. Implement and delegate tasks relating to all aspects of production operations.
• Serve as a mentor, positive role model, and team leader directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job, instructing and sharing skills as necessary, and setting realistic work expectations.
• Be aware of the atmosphere within the crew. Communicate any concerns regarding social climate or protocol to the Signs Manager or City Superintendent.
• Learn, use, and share the proper pathways of communication for escalating personnel issues. Learn how to create proper supporting documentation.
• Attend and support crew attendance to Team Meetings and daily DPW Morning Meetings.
• Help ensure that paychecks are distributed to crew in a timely manner.

Documentation (15%)

• Learn, effectively use, and update existing online systems and documents as needed (e.g. inventory spreadsheets, time tracking logs etc).
• Maintain inventory and accurately track the use and need of supplies, reusing and repurposing inventory whenever possible; help the Signs Manager create purchase orders and material requests to place orders.
• Work with the Signs Project Manager to maintain continuity in what and how work is documented and that all reports meet DPW standards.
• Create daily production schedules and an efficient team workflow that will allow for the creation of all city signs to be produced and ready for install by their deadlines.
• Submit receipts and any expense reports; ensure forms are complete and submitted on time.
• Prepare written feedback for DPW Management describing the successes of the season and suggestions for improvement; Submit an end-of-season EMBER Report.

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 other duties as required.

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

• Working knowledge of sign production and of managing sign production projects; Knowledge of current sign production software and tools with the ability to work sign production equipment including vinyl cutters and large format printers.
• Working knowledge of Google products (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, etc.), Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• Competent understanding of vector and raster art with working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (1 year comparable software experience).
• Advanced understanding of construction scheduling, cost control, and large-scale project management.
• A strong competency in creativity and design with the ability to encourage and co-manage a creative team.
• Ability to lead by example, motivate enthusiasm, and have excellent interpersonal skills; Experience managing volunteers, and the ability and willingness to work with a primarily volunteer labor force (minimum 1 major project)..
• Able to accept feedback and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Ability to temporarily relocate for work at the Burning Man event held in Gerlach, Nevada
• Capable of working in an extreme environment including drastic temperature changes, high winds, poor air quality and low to no visibility at times.

Preferred

• Familiarity with Burning Man, BRC, and its departments and experienced in event-based production work.
• Experience supervising major projects in remote wilderness and / or desert environments.
• First-Aid knowledge.
• 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 July - September is $17.00 to $20.00 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.

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