Tag Archives: quinn

Aug 13 2013

Pumpin’ for the Man

by Whatsblem the Pro

IMAGE: Leo Cullum/Condé Nast

IMAGE: Leo Cullum/Condé Nast

 

The Burning Man Org is hiring again! Do you have the Right Stuff for the job?

Having recently lost/let go of Quinn “Ghost Dancer” Yarborough (under, we should point out, reportedly amicable circumstances), the Org is now keen to fill the vacuum he left and hire a new Nevada Properties Manager. This is a full-time paid position, and the successful candidate will be eligible for benefits.

According to Kat Steinmetz, Black Rock City LLC’s Head of Human Resources and Administration, “this role is responsible for the management and oversight of Black Rock City’s Nevada properties and facilities. The Nevada Properties Manager is responsible for the complete maintenance of all facilities in Gerlach, Nevada, which include but are not limited to the Office, Helen’s House, the Saloon, the Trailer Park, the Showers Property, the old Theatre, and Black Rock Station (BRS).”

Note that you’ll need to live in or relocate to Gerlach, Nevada (population: small but pleasantly weird) in order to take the job. The NV Properties Manager traditionally resides at the DPW Ranch year-’round, which can get lonely and boring if you’re on your own and not easily entertained. The shrewd applicant will have an unruffled mind well-stocked with the kinds of thoughts that can carry one through a medium-length prison sentence without going stir crazy. A body devoid of all hint of genitalia may also be preferable, but in lieu of that you should be adept at arranging regular conjugal visits either in Reno, at the Ranch, or at one of the other ranches in between the two that exist specifically for that very purpose. If you’re the kind of person who thinks it would be a good goof to watch DPW roughnecks twitch and leap in response to every directive you bark at them in your Command Voice, then you may not mind the isolation and accompanying forced celibacy nearly as much.

The duties and essential job functions of the NV Properties Manager are as follows:

  • Manage and maintain all elements of the Nevada properties including BRS including the power, fuel, water, waste, structures, general environment and overall conditions of the ranch.
  • Manage and administer services to buildings, power plant, water system, gates, fences, signage as well as general housekeeping.
  • Initiate, develop, and maintain an inventory of the properties and associated equipment stored at BRS.
  • Maintain registration and insurance documents for the DPW Fleet Vehicles.
  • Responsible for the overall Burning Man event physical assets in Gerlach, Nevada and at the Black Rock Station.
  • Maintain permanent residence at BRS for 12 months per year with vacation to be agreed upon in advance.
  • During the off-season (November-March), greet and direct volunteers and visitors at BRS to best inform them of current rules, procedures and protocols and to best utilize the resources available. Work with the Nevada Operations Labor Coordinator to collect “round up forms”. Host orientation sessions. During the on-season (April-October), these duties are performed by the BRS Access Manager, assistant to the NV Properties Manager.
  • Inspect and ensure that fire extinguishers are current. Ensure that first-aid kits are on hand and maintained.
  • Help identify opportunities for and potential liabilities to the properties.
  • Manage the maintenance, development and acquisition of BRC’s purchased and leased property in Nevada
  • Prepare and manage annual Nevada Properties budget
  • Work with Federal, State and local agencies to ensure compliance with regulations affecting Properties and Operations
  • Manage and maintain communication equipment on property in Nevada as necessary. Work in conjunction with ESD Communications
  • Oversee routine care-taking, maintenance and landscaping on all BRC properties as necessary
  • Schedules and coordinates NVP’s construction activities and subcontractors
  • Ensure and maintain record of all tests of material requiring testing, e.g. fire certificates, electrical certificates, fire etc. Work with other BM departments as required.
  • Act as a liaison to local businesses and residents. Handle local public relations and policy decisions as necessary. Represent BRC in Nevada.
  • Communicate on a regular basis with BRC Board members and other DPW Council Members. Provide weekly reports and provide feedback as necessary. Commute or telephonically attend meetings as necessary
  • Oversee work weekends schedules, shop use and special project needs of BRS with assistance from the BRS Access Manager.
  • Review progress reports, cost reports, schedules and requirements for project completion
  • Observe and relate relevant information to the BRC Board pertaining to any major conflicts, problems, needs or needed repairs to all facilities.
  • Maintain radio communication with the Gerlach Office and others as necessary.
  • Understand the integrated plan (IP) with other departmental timelines and objectives for the completion of each phase of BRC development; setup, maintenance and tear down.
  • Maintain and monitor the BRS Ranch House power plant.
  • Supervise, Evaluate and Provide Leadership for the Year-Round Gerlach Staff, BRS Work Crews and Work Weekend Volunteers during the event season.
  • Serve as Primary Contact / Liaison for ALL Black Rock Station activities.
  • Work in concert with the LLC and the Nevada Ops Council in managing the DPW and other BM departments collective use and care of the various Nevada Properties/Assets during the event cycle and through out the year.
  • Research and secure any required permits and/or building codes related to Property developments. Work with BM’s Contracted Planners, County and State Agencies when necessary to establish and maintain mandated code compliance.
  • Enlist and supervise independent outside contractors or any specific professionals as needed to accomplish routine maintenance or fulfill specific task as needed or required.
  • Oversee the private storage containers project for the Burning Man Event.
  • Other duties and projects as assigned

The following qualifications are required:

  • Facilities Management experience
  • Budget reporting skills and previous budget responsibilities
  • Ability to think on his or her feet, problem solve, critically think and remain calm under stress
  • Good communication, mediation and listening skills – ability to resolve interpersonal conflicts
  • Personnel management experience; proven leadership skills
  • Proven ability to interface well with the local community
  • Cheerful, outgoing, professional demeanor conducive to effectively presenting information and responding to questions from all levels of staff, volunteers and vendors. This position requires the ability to respond professionally to all individuals and work well as a team player.
  • Ability to maintain personal integrity and uphold high standards of confidentiality.
  • Demonstrated resourcefulness and good judgment
  • Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize, and manage time appropriately.
  • Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
  • Willingness and ability to live in Gerlach, a remote location
  • Able to travel for work
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Knowledge of basic maintenance, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical skills necessary
  • Organizational skills
  • Strong computer, email and Internet experience
  • Knowledge of basic construction and shop practices
  • Has an awareness of the volunteer process, and has a welcoming attitude toward the integration of these volunteers into the installation and dismantling of BRC
  • Valid Class “C” Drivers’s License and clean driving record
  • Ability to lift up to 60 pounds

The following skills are not required, but candidates possessing them will be preferred:

  • Nevada Contractors license
  • Experience with Carpentry
  • Possess operating skills and certifications for Heavy Machinery
  • Experience in Property Maintenance

If you think you qualify and you’d like a shot at the job, you can submit your résumé and cover letter online at http://blackrockcity.theresumator.com/apply/5Shp1N/Nevada-Properties-Manager.html?source=staff

To be considered for employment, you must submit your application by 5:00 PM on Sunday, Aug 25th, 2013.

Good luck!

Jun 13 2013

You Can’t Quit Me, I’m Fire!

by Whatsblem the Pro

In fact, you're ALL fired. Merry Christmas!

In fact, you’re ALL fired. Merry Christmas!

Is it a coincidence? A deliberate reorganization? A quiet rebellion? Recent days have seen a spate of high-level firings, resignations, and even a strike taking place in the often insular world of the Burning Man organization.

Palmer ‘Gameshow‘ Parker, DPW’s Dispatch Manager for many years, was invited to attend Burning Man for free again in 2013, but his contract was not renewed. Gameshow has now been replaced by another long-time Dispatch worker. Those in the know were tight-lipped about it at the subsequent manager’s meeting, and simply cited “a Human Resources issue,” while other sources cited an alleged dissatisfaction with Gameshow’s ability and/or willingness to integrate DPW Dispatch with EMS personnel and their system. Gameshow himself has declined to make any official comment on the Org’s decision.

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Quinn Yarbrough, sometimes known as “Ghost Dancer,” was asked to resign less than a week ago after some ten years as the DPW Ranch Manager, according to sources close to him. Of course, in the corporate HR world of professional candy-coating and face-saving, “asked to resign” is just a euphemism for being fired without having to tell your next employer that you were fired.

Quinn was reportedly escorted around the ranch – his only home for the last ten years – as he gathered his belongings, like some kind of suspected thief. This is not to say that Quinn is suspected of being a thief; it’s a not-uncommon feature of big-boy corporate culture that fired employees are shepherded around by security guards and formally shown the door. What this says about the Org, about their goals, and about how very far they’ve strayed from a Cacophony Society Zone Trip is much more interesting than anything it might imply about Quinn Yarbrough, who is unfortunately unavailable for comment at this time. His Facebook page, however, gives us a public statement notable for its civilized tone; Quinn is often said to be rather a deep person, and his serene stance in the face of what must be a massive life change would seem to support that opinion of him:

“Where as word spreads like wildfire let me just say this much for now. I love you all and have nothing ill to say about anyone, it’s simply time and appropriate for our collective evolution for me to step onto a new path. Much love and gratitude for the many many memories – blessings to the Burning Man Community.”

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In contrast, Otto von Danger, whose calamitously controversial leadership on Burn Wall Street our very own Burnersxxx wrote about back in September 2012, posted the following comment on his Facebook page just today (presented here unedited):

“After 6 years of Militey service the government discarded me as they do many others and now after 13 years Burning Man has done the same.They invented some bullshit and fired me last night.So I’m trying to fix it but as it stands I will not be going to Burning Man anymore and Shwing is canceled.FrogBat will go on of course.”

In response to queries, Otto gave the following explanation (also unedited):

“it’s true…they said I pulled a knife on one of the Burn Wall street crew…which is obviously not true.I think that would have got me arrested.Again I’m trying to fix this but as it stands Burning Man is done with me.”

When asked why the Org would do something like that, Otto’s response was that the recently-released film SPARK: A BURNING MAN STORY portrayed him in too flattering a light, and that the Org hates successful people like himself:

“probably because I looked good in Spark is my guess…they don’t like success unless it’s thiers.”

People who have drunk a little too deeply of the Org’s kool-aid frequently chide us here at Burners.me for being too critical of their sacred icons, but in this case we have to speak up in defense of dear Uncle Larry and the other false gods of the Org-worshippers for a change: the idea that they get rid of people for being successful and appearing in films in a good light is even more absurd than the idea that Otto von Danger is successful by any objective definition of the word. Otto is clearly selling a flavor of kool-aid all his own, and his stated reasons for being dismissed are very possibly not a clear or accurate reflection of reality. Given the personality clashes and accusations of rank incompetence, volunteer abuse, mishandling of funds, and even sexual assault that were leveled at him (and his right-hand man, Jonathan ‘Fester’ Cooksey) in the weak aftermath of the Burn Wall Street project, the Org very likely had more than one excellent reason to give Otto the old heave-ho, regardless of any overarching plan to purge their ranks.

Meanwhile, during a Q and A with one of the directors after a screening of SPARK: A BURNING MAN STORY in Reno, a woman in the audience asked “why was Burn Wall Street romanticized?”

Apparently, the director’s goal was to show projects from beginning to end. . . but the darker aspects of Burn Wall Street depicted in earlier edits of SPARK: A BURNING MAN STORY were deemed much too negative in comparison with the other elements of the film, and thus a great deal of ugliness connected with the project and with Otto personally was simply left on the cutting room floor in the interests of a more upbeat end product.

Otto made another interesting and not entirely accurate or true comment:

“they also fired alot of other good people this year including the entire Man base crew.”

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Which brings us to the Man Base crew.

As nearly as we can gather, Otto’s assertion that the entire Man Base crew is being replaced is still just speculation, although certainly a possibility. The meat of the story so far seems to be that a dispute between the Org and Travis Ludy, who has been managing the crew that builds the Man Base for years, has escalated into a strike that may very well result in the entire Man Base crew being replaced, and the size of the 2013 Man Base scaled down dramatically to make up for lost time and the lack of an experienced crew.

Ludy was paid $8000 to build the Man Base in 2012. The Org reportedly tried to cut his pay in half for 2013, and Ludy declined in favor of holding out for the whole nut. When they tried to give his job to someone on his crew instead, that person turned the job down. . . and news of the attempt to cut Ludy out over money – possibly exacerbated by other crew members being let go recently – led to the entire crew rebelling and going on strike.

We’re told that a meeting was held just today to try to settle the dispute. . . so let’s see how the balloon goes up, or how the cookie crumbles. Will the Org really scuttle the entire Man Base crew, and is it really all over a paltry four thousand dollars, or is there a welter and web of politics and personal agenda and independent problems between the Org and individuals, all coming to a head at once?

More importantly, is there some kind of a deliberate reorganization going on, and if so, what are the intentions driving it?