# Mars College Department of Public Works (DPW) — Full Operational Specification

## Executive Summary
Mars College is an annual off-grid pop-up village, educational community, and AI/engineering school built from bare desert each autumn and completely struck every spring in the California desert.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is the operational backbone of Mars College. DPW crew members design, build, maintain, and deconstruct all shared physical and civic infrastructure.

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## 1. Core Mission & Philosophy
- **Hands-on Mastery**: Learning off-grid engineering through direct action rather than classroom lectures.
- **No Cuts Construction Mentality**: Utilizing standardized, modular materials (such as pallet racks, full-length 2x4 and 2x6 lumber, plywood, and shade netting) with minimal wasteful cutting to allow maximum reuse across seasons.
- **Leave No Trace (LNT)**: Restoring the desert site to its natural state after every season.
- **Sovereign Infrastructure**: Self-built solar microgrids, off-grid water pumping, and community waste logistics independent of municipal utility grid connections.

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## 2. Detailed 4-Phase Build & Teardown Arc

### Phase 1: Planning (Now through October)
- **Component Sizing & Procurement**: Calculating wattage requirements, solar inverter sizing, battery storage capacity, water holding tank capacity, and piping requirements.
- **Supply Ordering**: Placing bulk orders for pallet racks, solar panels, batteries, water bladders/tanks, lumber, fast-assembly hardware, and shade sails before August/September deadlines.
- **Concession & Service Planning**: Recruting operators for essential community services:
  - Food Co-op & Shared Kitchen Supply
  - Propane Exchange & Delivery
  - Recycling & Waste Separation
  - Tool Library & General Maintenance Shop

### Phase 2: Build (November & December)
- **Site Survey & Layout**: Marking civic placement for main structures, central camp, roads, and utility lines.
- **Structural Construction**: Erecting pallet rack frameworks, windbreak walls, floor platforms, and shade sails.
- **Utility System Installation**:
  - **Solar Power Grid**: Wiring solar panel arrays, charge controllers, inverters, and battery banks for communal power and compute stations.
  - **Water Supply Network**: Installing primary water bladders/tanks, manifold distribution, pumps, and graywater filtration/drainage.
  - **Communal Facilities**: Assembling shade pavilions, outdoor kitchens, dining tables, and shower/sink stations.

### Phase 3: Mars College Semester (January through March)
- **Operational Maintenance**: Daily monitoring of battery state-of-charge, water tank levels, pump pressure, and plumbing integrity.
- **Essential Utility Runs**:
  - **Water Trucking**: Towing fresh water trailers from local supply points to fill central holding tanks.
  - **Trash & Dump Transport**: Transporting sorted waste and refuse trailers to authorized municipal disposal sites.
  - **Propane Refills**: Managing propane cylinder exchanges for cooking and water heating.
  - **Costco & Grocery Runs**: Coordinating group transport for fresh produce and food co-op restocks.

### Phase 4: Disengage / Teardown (April through May)
- **Deconstruction**: Dismantling solar arrays, disconnecting plumbing lines, draining and sanitizing water bladders, and disassembling pallet rack structures.
- **Hardware Sorting & Organization**: Stacking, inventorying, and packing lumber, hardware, wire bundles, and equipment into secure off-season storage containers.
- **Site Clean-up & Restoration**: Conducting sweep passes across the desert floor to remove all debris, ensuring the land is left pristine.

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## 3. Benefits & Compensation for DPW Crew Members
- **Free Housing**: DPW crew members receive allocated seasonal housing on site during the build and semester.
- **Fee Waivers**: The standard Mars College general fee (~$500 treasury fee) and camp dues (~$900) are fully waived for DPW members.
- **Meal Plan**: Full access to the DPW communal meal plan and kitchen resources during build, operational, and strike periods.
- **Skill Mastery**: Practical expertise in solar electric design, off-grid plumbing, modular wood/metal framing, and large-scale camp logistics.

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## 4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

### Do I need prior construction experience?
No. Most builders arrive with minimal prior experience. All work is supervised by experienced builders who have completed multiple desert build seasons. Work ranges from pallet rack assembly and framing to solar wiring and plumbing distribution.

### What are the living conditions during the build?
Build crew members live directly on site in desert conditions. November and December feature warm days, cold sub-freezing nights, and occasional wind. Crew members should bring work gloves, heavy layers, eye protection, and dust masks.

### Can someone join specifically for the Build or Strike phase?
Yes. Build-only (Nov–Dec) and Strike-only (Apr–May) commitments are welcomed.

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## 5. Contact & Application Information
- **Application Form**: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4FasMEbiOuqNuJh5F3YXwwhXj4vHhtc-DzuNIcrItyyZsig/viewform?usp=publish-editor
- **Official Domain**: https://dpw.mars.college/
- **Main Organization**: https://mars.college/
- **Contact Email**: info@mars.college