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Junior Field Manager (full time, salaried exempt)

Organization: Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation (CAER)
Location: Greater Los Angeles (field-based; primarily Altadena and Los Angeles, with some sites in the Palisades, potential for occasional travel)
Contract Duration: 3 months (strong possibility of extension)
Positions Available: 1
Time Commitment: Full time - 40 hrs a week.
Compensation: $35/hour, health benefits, vacation accrual
Schedule: Must be available during daylight hours

About CAER

The Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation (CAER) is a nonprofit organization advancing science-based, community-centered approaches to remediating contaminated land using ecological methods, including fungi, plants, and soil biology. Our work bridges rigorous environmental science, ecological restoration, remediation and environmental justice, with active projects across urban post-industrial, and post-fire landscapes.

Position Overview

CAER is seeking a Junior Field Manager to support hands-on field implementation and monitoring of bioremediation projects. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys outdoor, physically active work and is interested in applied environmental science, ecological restoration, and bioremediation in real-world settings and does not mind working on sites with contaminated soils with provided Personal Protective Equipment. 

Technicians will work closely with CAER’s scientific leadership and project teams to install, maintain, and monitor bioremediation systems at active field remediation sites.

Training & Support Provided

  • On-the-job training will be provided for all field tasks, protocols, and safety procedures
  • Field Manager will participate in ongoing bioremediation training, covering:
    • Core principles of bioremediation
    • Soil, plant, and fungal sampling methods
    • Field safety and contamination control
    • Site implementation and monitoring practices
  • All required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided

Key Responsibilities

You will be reporting to CAER’s Executive & Scientific Director, Field Manager, and collaborating with Laboratory Manager and Programs & Operations Manager to carry out our mission and the following responsibilities:

 

Field Operations & Project Management

  • Coordinate and manage day-to-day field activities across multiple sites (post-fire residential, parks, schools, brownfields)
  • Implement soil remediation plans under direction of CAER’s Scientific Director
  • Develop and manage field schedules and project timelines
  • Track progress against grant deliverables and reporting milestones
  • Ensure proper field documentation and chain-of-custody procedures

Health & Safety Compliance

  • Maintain and enforce site-specific Health & Safety Plans (HASP)
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and California environmental safety standards
  • Oversee PPE protocols and hazardous materials handling
  • Conduct tailgate safety briefings and daily hazard assessments

Team Supervision & Training

Supervise & manage field technicians, interns, and volunteers

  • Provide hands-on training in sampling protocols, remediation application methods, and safe site practices
  • Coordinate with Field & Lab Manager on sampling and implementation handling and logistics


 

Sampling & Laboratory & Field Implementation Coordination

  • Oversee soil, water, and plant sampling in accordance with EPA methods
  • Manage sample labeling, storage, and transport to certified laboratories
  • Maintain sample tracking, chain of custody, and quality control procedures


Equipment & Supply Management

  • Maintain inventory of field equipment and expendables
  • Coordinate procurement and maintenance of tools and supplies
  • Ensure equipment calibration and documentation


 

Community & Site Liaison

  • Serve as field liaison with homeowners, site managers, municipal partners, and community groups
  • Represent CAER professionally at field sites

Field Implementation & Installation

  • Assist with bioremediation implementation, including:
    • Soil preparation and amendment
    • Planting and maintenance of remediation plantings
    • Fungal inoculation (e.g., application of spawn or inocula)
    • Installation and maintenance of irrigation systems
  • Support site setup and breakdown, including moving materials and equipment

Sampling & Monitoring

  • Collect soil, plant, and fungal samples following established protocols
  • Conduct routine site monitoring and maintenance
  • Assist with field data collection and documentation (photos, notes, measurements)

General Field Support

  • Maintain tools, equipment, and field supplies
  • Follow health, safety, and contamination-control protocols
  • Support adaptive field work as site conditions and project needs evolve
  •  
  • Other tasks as assigned:
    Other operational and field work and field management tasks as requested by Field Manager, CAER leadership or other senior CAER staff:

Required Qualifications

  • Personnel Management, inventory management, and Communication skills
  • Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work, including lifting, digging, carrying materials, bending, and standing for extended periods
  • Comfortable working outdoors in variable weather conditions
  • Availability for 40 hours per week during daylight hours
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to follow field protocols
  • Ability to travel to field sites in Altadena, Los Angeles, and occasionally the Palisades

Required qualifications 

  • HAZWOPER Certification
  • Experience with:
    • Ecological restoration, landscaping, farming, or field research

Preferred (but Not Required) Qualifications

  • Experience with:
    • Soil, plant, or fungal sampling
    • Irrigation or basic construction/installation work
  • Experience working on contaminated or post-disaster sites

Work Environment

  • Field-based, hands-on work at active remediation sites
  • Physically active role requiring stamina and situational awareness
  • Collaborative, mission-driven team environment
  • Training provided for all site-specific methods and safety procedures
  • PPE provided for all field activities

Employment Details

  • Salaried exempt position based on 40 hour weekly commitment with $35/hour
  • 3-month initial contract with high likelihood of extension based on project needs and performance

How to Apply

Please send your:

  • A brief statement of interest describing your relevant experience, availability, and schedule
  • A resume or CV

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until September 18th, 2026 and the position will start as soon as possible. 

CAER is committed to building an inclusive team and strongly encourages applicants from communities historically underrepresented in environmental science and environmental remediation.