JOB SUMMARY
The Specialty Construction Apprentice will work on-site at the Black Rock Station to convert shipping containers to the office and living space, and perform repair and maintenance tasks on the existing building fleet used in the production of the Burning Man event. They will work as a team in a production environment to interpret construction drawings, perform general construction tasks, contribute to developing production processes, and perform general job-site duties and maintenance.
This is a temporary, full-time , non-exempt role, based in Gerlach, NV running from May to September , 2026.
The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on March 19th, 2026.
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Specialty Construction Team (75%)
Work as a crew member on the construction of Living Boxes, Office Boxes, and container build-out projects, according to provided designs.
See assigned construction tasks and projects through to completion.
Collaborate on remodeling and repairing existing LBs, OBs, OCs, LC, and other building infrastructure.
Select and evaluate build material quality and stock appropriate for given tasks.
Lead or participate in small groups of people on daily projects.
Work to support daily and overall production schedules.
When appropriate, provide feedback and input to the Container Build management to help ensure efficient and safe conditions for construction.
Safety (15%)
Attend daily morning meetings, showing up on time and ready to work.
Maintain common workspaces; see that the worksite, tools, and equipment are sorted and securely stored at the end of each day.
Assist in completing the end-of-season inventory of all tools, supplies, and materials, noting conditions and needs for the following year.
Support the maintenance of a clean and safe worksite, utilizing the necessary OSHA-approved safety equipment.
Other Functions and Responsibilities (10%)
Perform other duties as assigned.
Abide by the rules and codes of conduct described in the NVO Compass, Ranch Protocols, and the Specialty Construction S.O.P.
Be familiar with and act in accordance with Burning Man's staff policies.
Exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance within the department.
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.
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
1 to 2 years of experience in general construction carpentry.
Ability to work directly from construction drawings and designs.
Knowledge of and experience with power tools, including table saw, Skilsaw, miter saw, jigsaw, and angle grinder.
Experience maintaining a clean and organized common workspace.
Capable of climbing on ladders and carrying at least 80 pounds.
Experience working in small teams.
Excellent interpersonal skills; able to motivate and encourage a collaborative work environment.
Motivated, organized, and able to take the initiative.
Ability to work with awareness and clear communication in a production shop environment.
Time management skills: able to effectively manage one's own time.
Ability to relocate to Black Rock Station in Gerlach, NV, for the duration of the build season.
Ability to adjust schedule seasonally to work at the Burning Man event held in Nevada.
PREFERRED
Experience with framing and finished carpentry or other forms of construction.
Practiced in selectively demolishing portions of a building for remodeling with minimal damage to the remaining structure.
Knowledge of commercial or residential electrical wiring.
Knowledge of basic metal fabrication.
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
OSHA 10 Certification (May be earned through in-house training) .
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 pay rate for this position is $ 15.00 to $ 17.00 per hour .
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. 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.
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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