Foreman, Vegetation Management - Orange County

BurnBot; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Criminal background check + drug test

Job summary

BurnBot in Irvine, CA is seeking a Field Operations Foreman to lead field crews in forestry, fuels mitigation, and prescribed fire projects.

This hands-on, on-site role supervises safety, quality, and productivity, with hours at $40-$50 per hour and travel up to 75%. HS diploma and CDL A required; 5+ years in related operations; strong leadership and safety knowledge preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• CDL Class A (required or obtained within onboarding period).
• 5+ years of experience in forestry, fuels mitigation, vegetation management, or wildland fire operations.
• 3+ years of experience operating heavy equipment.
• Demonstrated experience leading crews in field operations.
• Strong working knowledge of field safety practices and regulatory compliance.
• Physical ability to perform demanding field work (lifting up to 100 lbs, uneven terrain, long days outdoors).

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise Operations Specialists and Senior Operations Specialists in daily field activities for forestry, fuels mitigation, and prescribed fire projects.
• Assign tasks, sequence work, and manage crew pacing to meet safety, quality, and productivity expectations.
• Provide real-time coaching, feedback, and corrective direction as needed.
• Ensure work is executed according to project scope, burn plans, timber harvest plans, and company standards.
• Identify hazards, manage risk, and exercise stop-work authority when conditions warrant.
• Maintain advanced proficiency in chainsaw operations and heavy equipment operations.
• Ensure equipment, tools, and vehicles are staged, maintained, and used correctly; communicate equipment needs, failures, and logistical issues to Operations Management.
• Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for Operations Superintendents, partners, and stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Field leadership

Safety awareness

Travel readiness

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree (related field)

Tools

Chainsaw operations

Heavy equipment operation

Job description

Location 6681 Marine Way, Irvine, CA, 92618, United States

Base Pay $40.00 - $50.00 / Hour

Employee Type Non-Exempt (FT)

About BurnBot

BurnBot provides systematic fuels treatment services to prevent destructive wildfires. We're firefighters, scientists, engineers, prescribed fire practitioners, ecologists, and community members who are answering the call to scale fuel treatment capacity. Our modern fuel treatment system recognizes and supports conservation efforts with a clean, smoke-free process. We need technology to amplify our workforces with targeted use of synthetic fire to treat fuel loads 10x faster than previously possible.

The Role

BurnBot is seeking a Field Operations Foreman to lead field crews executing forestry and prescribed fire operations. The Foreman is responsible for direct supervision of personnel, day-to-day operational execution, and field-level leadership across fuels reduction, vegetation management, and prescribed fire projects.

**This role is involved in a new long-term contract we have for vegetation management along transportation corridors throughout the county.**

This role is hands-on and field-based. The Foreman works alongside crews while maintaining responsibility for safety, work quality, productivity, equipment readiness, and compliance with project plans and regulatory requirements. This position serves as the primary link between field execution and Operations Management.

This is a non-exempt role with an hourly rate $40-$50. However, we do consider many factors when creating job offers, including (but not limited to), the role, location, responsibilities, experience, training, education, and skillset.

Key Responsibilities

• Directly supervise Operations Specialists and Senior Operations Specialists in daily field activities for forestry, fuels mitigation, and prescribed fire projects
• Assign tasks, sequence work, and manage crew pacing to meet safety, quality, and productivity expectations
• Provide real-time coaching, feedback, and corrective direction as needed
• Ensure work is executed according to project scope, burn plans, timber harvest plans, and company standards
• Identify hazards, manage risk, and exercise stop-work authority when conditions warrant
• Maintain advanced proficiency in chainsaw operations and heavy equipment operations
• Ensure equipment, tools, and vehicles are staged, maintained, and used correctly; communicate equipment needs, failures, and logistical issues to Operations Management
• Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for Operations Superintendents, partners, and stakeholders
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license; ability to travel extensively (up to 75%)
• CDL Class A (required or obtained within defined onboarding period)
• 5+ years of experience in forestry, fuels mitigation, vegetation management, or wildland fire operations
• 3+ years of experience operating heavy equipment
• Demonstrated experience leading crews in field operations
• Strong working knowledge of field safety practices and regulatory compliance
• Physical ability to perform demanding field work (lifting up to 100 lbs, uneven terrain, long days outdoors)

Desired Qualifications

• Any of the following certifications: FFT1, FFT2, FALB, FIRB, RXB3, CRWB, ENGB
• Experience in wildland firefighting, prescribed burns, forestry, timber, logging, or as a sawyer, faller or arborist
• Experience operating farm, forestry, or other heavy equipment, trucks and large trailers
• Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry, Fire Science, Natural Resources, or related field
• ISA Arborist Certification
• Experience coordinating multi-crew or multi-equipment operations
• GIS Data Analysis

Additional Information

• Package Name Burnbot Criminal Background Check Package + Drug Test

Burnbot is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with one or more disabilities, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 415-795-9124 or [e-mail].

Burnbot is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with one or more disabilities, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 415-795-9124 or [e-mail].