Assistant Manager - Field Operations

Forest Rehabilitation Ecology; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Forest Rehabilitation Ecology in Brisbane seeks an Assistant Manager - Field Operations. You will lead field crews, coordinate day-to-day site delivery and ensure high-quality ecological restoration across South East Queensland and northern New South Wales.

The role is initially ~80% field-based and 20% office/operational management, focusing on safety, performance and client communication.

Qualifications

• Substantial practical experience in ecological restoration or bush regeneration.
• Experience supervising field crews and coordinating site works.
• Strong native plant and environmental weed identification.
• Ability to organise work, prioritise tasks and deliver projects on time.
• Good written communication and basic computer skills.
• Current driver’s licence and capacity for field-based work.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and work alongside restoration crews on site.
• Oversee day-to-day delivery, quality, productivity and hours.
• Provide practical direction on weed management and regeneration.
• Conduct site inspections and assess upcoming and active projects.
• Mentor field staff and promote a professional team culture.
• Ensure SWMS, risk controls, and environmental requirements are followed.
• Lead by example in WHS, PPE, safety reporting and equipment use.
• Maintain high standards of plant ID and restoration best practice.
• Support scheduling and coordinate vehicles, equipment and resources.
• Liaise with clients, contractors and landholders on site/phone/email.
• Review field records and assist progress reporting.
• Assist with labour/resource estimates for quotes and tenders.
• Contribute to operational planning and continuous improvement.

Skills

Field supervision

Project coordination

Team leadership

Communication

Safety-minded

Education

Conservation and Ecosystem Management (degree or related)

Tools

GIS/mapping

Job description

Forest Rehabilitation Ecology – Brisbane QLD

Position: Assistant Manager - Field Operations

Employer: Forest Rehabilitation Ecology

Location: Gold Coast, QLD (work across South East Queensland and northern New South Wales, at client sites and the FRE works depot/office)

Employment: Full-time

Work Arrangement: Initially approximately 80% field and site-based and 20% office and operational management

Position Purpose

The Assistant Manager - Field Operations is a hands-on leadership role responsible for supporting the safe, efficient and high-quality delivery of ecological restoration projects. The position leads and works alongside field teams, coordinates day-to-day site delivery, monitors project performance and supports planning, reporting, client communication and operational management. The role provides a pathway toward greater project and operations management responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and work alongside ecological restoration and bush regeneration crews.
• Take responsibility for day-to-day delivery of allocated projects, including work quality, productivity, site presentation and progress against allocated hours.
• Provide practical direction on weed management, assisted natural regeneration, revegetation and other restoration techniques.
• Conduct site inspections and assess upcoming, active and completed projects, identifying issues, additional works, required resourcing and potential variations promptly.
• Mentor field supervisors, technicians and developing team members and promote a professional, cooperative and accountable team culture.
• Ensure SWMS, risk controls, environmental requirements, chemical procedures, client specifications and relevant legislation are understood and followed.
• Lead by example in WHS, PPE use, incident and near-miss reporting, equipment safety and environmentally responsible work practices.
• Maintain high standards of native plant and environmental weed identification and ecological restoration best practice.
• Support staff scheduling and coordinate vehicles, equipment, chemicals, plants and other project resources.
• Liaise professionally with clients, contractors and landholders on site and by phone or email.
• Review field records, photographs, maps and project documentation and assist with progress and completion reporting.
• Support labour and resource estimates for quotations and tenders following site assessments.
• Assist with operational planning, continuous improvement and other reasonable duties consistent with the position.

Essential Experience and Capabilities

• Substantial practical experience in ecological restoration, bush regeneration or natural area management.
• Demonstrated experience supervising field crews, leading projects or coordinating site works.
• Strong native plant and environmental weed identification skills, with sound knowledge of herbicide application and ecological restoration techniques in line with best practice.
• Ability to organise work, manage competing priorities, solve practical problems and take responsibility for project outcomes.
• Confident and professional communication with staff, clients, contractors and landholders.
• Good written communication, basic computer skills and the ability to complete accurate field and project records.
• Current driver's licence and capacity to undertake the inherent physical and outdoor requirements of a predominantly field-based role.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

• Qualifications in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, ecology, environmental science or a related field are highly regarded.
• First Aid, chemical application, White Card, chainsaw, 4WD, GIS/mapping, high-level plant identification and other relevant industry qualifications are desirable.
• Rope access skills are advantageous but not essential.

Performance Expectations

Performance will be assessed against safe and compliant work practices; ecological and workmanship standards; project delivery within allocated time and resources; quality of leadership, communication and records; care of vehicles and equipment; and contribution to team and operational improvement. A formal performance and remuneration review will be conducted after six months. Mentoring and training will be provided to support the successful applicant’s transition into the role.

See the position description attached for further information about this role.