DPW Support Operations Manager

Job Summary

Job Summary The Department of Public Works (DPW) Support Operations Manager oversees planning and management of critical, internal staff-support crews, processes and infrastructure during the Burning Man event production cycle. This role is responsible for coordinating operational logistics and timelines, handling the annual preparation of budgets, actively supporting hiring efforts, resource acquisition, and the documentation and follow-through needed to meet seasonal goals for each of their assigned DPW crews and projects.

The Support Operations Manager sits on the DPW Council and provides senior leadership to the entire department.

The DPW Support Operations Manager role is temporary and eligible for benefits.

• From March - October:
  Full-Time, exempt, based remotely – San Francisco, Reno or Gerlach preferred.

The Final date to receive applications for this role is 5:00pm PST on Feb 25th, 2026.

Staff Management (35%) Planning, development, operational management, and problem solving pertaining to DPW Staff Support crews.

• Provide managerial support and operational oversight to the DPW Project Managers of crews reporting to this role: DPW Staff Camp, BRC Staff Commissary, BRC Staff Showers, BRC Craft Services, DPW 411 (Dispatch), DPW Radios, BRC Yellow Bike Project
• Demonstrate leadership through transparent decision making, clear communication, and by exercising integrity in every interaction. Establish clear expectations and boundaries for all staff and the scope of their project
• Maintain an ongoing effort to recruit and train new staff members;
  Foster a team culture that serves to improve staff retention;
  Pro-actively assist with curating team building exercises, mindsets and events
• Respond to all personnel-related matters, including but not limited to conflict resolution, workers comp claims, payroll tracking, and human resources inquiries
• Mentor DPW Project Managers to nurture their growth and confidence as leaders;
  Invest in their success in creating a smooth experience for themselves, their team, the Burning Man Project staff they support, and the future of their project

Project Management (30%) Oversight of planning and implementation of operational elements for each project or process.

• Plan production timelines & assist with staff schedules for each unique team or process
• Oversee onsite daily operations; offer support and guidance to managers and staff around decision-making that adheres to established timelines and goals
• Ensure teams are communicating clearly and working to develop strong interdepartmental coordination;
  Hold meetings as needed
• Determine the operational needs of each team and provide access to resources necessary to complete all aspects of the work effectively and on time
• In collaboration, maintain an active presence in the creation and updates of Crew SOPs, tracking sheets, projections, onboarding materials and any further documentation needed to outline success
• Assess material and supply needs and aid in their timely procurement through the purchasing department; ensure teams have what they need when they need it
• Assist with designing processes for reliable fulfillment of deliverables and follow up regularly to confirm that teams are meeting agreed-upon deadlines and outcomes
• Anticipate the unexpected and be ready to jump in where needed to assist with creative problem solving, to approve plans or resource needs, and help to keep operations running safely.
• Manage contractor/vendor relationships; convey expectations clearly, negotiate challenges, and confirm that services are being rendered as agreed
• Create a detailed post-event analysis documenting the season's operational successes, challenges, and specific recommendations for future improvements
• Submit end-of-season EMBER reports detailing observed operational challenges and pain points across the event and other departments
• Actively improve personal SOPs, processes, tools and strong succession planning documentation throughout the lifecycle of this role

Budget Oversight (20%) Develop accurate budgets based on a clear understanding of scope for each project and mentor staff on how to work within a budget.

• Create annual budgets following a review of staffing and other expenses during the previous cycle; prepare justification for budget variances in the coming year
• Educate each manager on the details of their budget with an eye toward department specific nuances; provide guidance on spending decisions
• Work with managers to schedule staff and coordinate projects in a manner aligned with their budget
• Monitor changes to project scope and operating schedules that may affect costs
• Accurately track spending and keep the finance department informed of unforeseen costs; assist with gaining approval for emergency spending
• Review and approve the bills for materials, equipment, and services
• Work with the DPW Business Services Manager to finalize vendor contracts, monitor their performance, and negotiate final payments