JOB SUMMARY
The Solar Lead Technician will support the necessary operations of the Solar Manager and the Off Fossil Fuels program to further the sustainability initiatives of the Burning Man Project's Nevada Operations team in Northern Nevada.
This role will be held accountable for necessary operations, servicing, maintenance, and tracking associated with the solar trailers and permanent solar installations and the performance of maintenance tasks and logistics associated with the operations of the Solar Team located in the Gerlach Rural Center. In addition to the physical aspects of the job, this role will be required one to learn and effectively use and update existing online systems and documents, as well as create and maintain regular reporting.
This is a temporary, full-time, non-exempt role, based in Gerlach, NV running from July to October, 2025.
The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on March 14th, 2025
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Installation, Development, and Maintenance (80%)
- Install solar energy systems as instructed by the Solar Program Manager.
- Performing maintenance checks and fixing existing solar energy systems year-round.
- Perform regular battery assessments to ensure battery life efficiency.
- Ensure batteries are charged and stored properly over the winter to ensure battery life efficiency.
- Apply sealants or other protective coatings as required.
- Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
- Inspect electrical or electronic systems for defects.
- Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Measure and prepare areas identified for installation.
- Build and execute designs created by the Solar Program Manager for portable solar energy systems.
- Connect solar panels to electrical systems.
- Ground electrical equipment and check the wiring.
- Adhere to strict health and safety guidelines.
- Set up temporary power grids for events and operations as needed.
Documentation and Tracking (10%)
- Ability to order, receive and track a basic inventory of all parts, tools, shop equipment, and other necessary maintenance items. Inventory must be submitted semi-annually to the Solar Program Manager.
- Record operational or environmental data as needed.
- Communicate concerns regarding budget, safety, interpersonal crew relationships, and other information to the Solar Program Manager or the Gerlach Real Estate General Manager - as appropriate.
- Know, share, and use the proper pathways of communication for escalating personnel issues. Learn how to and, as needed, create proper supporting documentation regarding such matters.
- Learn and utilize the proper naming conventions and filing procedures for the Solar Program.
- Create and maintain reports as instructed by the Solar Program Manager.
- As needed, submit receipts and any expense reports, ensuring forms are complete and submitted on time.
- Prepare written feedback to the Solar Program Manager describing the successes and failures of specific projects with the purpose of improved overall efficiency and suggestions.
- Work with the Solar Program Team to plan and execute LNT and Waste disposal plans.
Other Duties: (10%)
- 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.
- Keep regular business hours and an online presence as outlined by the Gerlach Real Estate, General Manager, and the Solar Program Manager.
- Work with Solar Program Manager to maintain continuity in what and how work is documented.
- Maintain an awareness of the operation timelines and plan for and organize work accordingly.
- Ensure communications are prompt and professional and that needed discretion is maintained.
- Read and abide by the rules and codes of conduct described in the NVO Handbook.
- Be familiar with and act in accordance with Burning Man's staff policies.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
- Documentation - Assists in creating, publishing, and maintaining process documentation related to their assigned duties.
- Knowledge sharing - Helps acculturate and educate junior staff in Burning Man culture and business processes.
- 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.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED- Clearly and concisely communicates verbally and through written correspondence. Tailors' communication to receiving party with appropriate professionalism. Experienced and comfortable with using 2 way radios.
- Honest and ethical with a dedication to the Burning Man principles and behavioral standards.
- Reliable; fulfills obligations.
- Open to change (positive or negative) and considerable variety in daily tasks.
- Able to accept feedback and remain calm and focused under pressure.
- Maintains a respectful and polite demeanor, providing services with care, and offering thoughtful acknowledgment and accommodation of requests.
- Sensitive to others' needs and feelings, understanding, and helpful.
- Inspires, motivates and encourages a collaborative work environment.
- Strongly analyzes and takes a creative approach to new thinking on old work.
- Effectively manages own time, the time of individual team members, and the team's efforts as a whole.
- Instills and applies order and cleanliness to the work environment and pays careful attention to detail in handling critical information.
- Working knowledge of Google products and Microsoft Word and Excel. A willingness to learn, use, and routinely update online tools and documents. Comfortable with spreadsheets and with proactively asking questions.
- Capable of working in an extreme environment, including drastic temperature changes, high winds, and low visibility.
- Experience managing volunteers willing to promote their strengths and respect their limitations.
- Able to adjust schedule seasonally to work at the Burning Man event held in Nevada.
PREFERRED
- It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture.
- It is helpful if the candidate has previously worked or lived in Gerlach, NV or other rural desert communities.
- Intermediate knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Intermediate knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in constructing or repairing structures and solar arrays.
- Intermediate knowledge of installation of equipment, machines, wiring, and/or computer programs.
- Knowledge of electrical and solar systems.
- Ability to translate blueprints and drawings.
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
- Must have a valid state issued Driver's License and a clean driving record
- OSHA 10 Certification (May be earned through in house training)
COMPENSATION:
Individual compensation decisions are dependent on a variety of factors, including prior experience and geographical location. The anticipated pay rate for this position is $_19____ to $__20___
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Off-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. This will also 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. Some 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.
- 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. This will also 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. Some 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.
