Job Description

GLOBAL EMERGENCY RELIEF, RECOVERY & RECONSTRUCTION (GER3) EATON FIRE RECOVERY PROGRAM

HOME WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS FOREMAN POSITION DESCRIPTION

START DATE : ASAP

DURATION: Until Dec. 31, 2025, with possibility for extension

LOCATION: Los Angeles area, with preference for proximity to Altadena/Pasadena area COMPENSATION : $80,000 - $90,000 commensurate with experience

ORGANIZATION & OPERATION

Founded in 2017, Global Emergency Relief, Recovery & Reconstruction (GER3) is a non-profit organization that supports crisis-affected communities to build back better. GER3 is committed to using sustainable, culturally appropriate and community-led interventions.

The January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires claimed the lives of at least 17 people and charred over 45,000 acres of land. Over 10,000 structures are reported to have been destroyed by the Eaton fire. Over 130,000 individuals have evacuated the area and face an uncertain return to their communities. More than 1.2 million people were directly impacted by the wildfires, with thousands losing their homes, farms, and businesses. Approximately 85,000 individuals sought refuge in temporary shelters, while many more were forced to relocate with relatives or friends. Many community centers, which served as gathering places and resource hubs, were either destroyed or rendered inoperable, leaving residents without critical support systems.

California’s wildfires have increasingly shifted from being rural to urban events that devastate entire residential and commercial neighborhoods, highlighting the urgent need to implement robust community emergency preparedness planning, environmental regeneration, and fire mitigation techniques. Due to the vast devastation left in the wake of the Eaton Fire, GER3 is committed to addressing these challenges by implementing technical, evidence-based strategies to adapt and strengthen community resilience to fire events, incorporating fire resistant building techniques, public education, and nature-based solutions.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Home Wildfire Preparedness Foreman will oversee daily construction and landscaping operations related to GER3’s Home Hardening and Fire-Resistant Landscaping initiatives. This includes supervising up to four crews, coordinating subcontractors, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards, and implementing fire-resilient building and landscaping practices. The ideal candidate has strong technical and leadership experience, is familiar with wildfire mitigation strategies, and is committed to empowering local communities through safe, durable, and climate-resilient reconstruction practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Construction & Landscaping Supervision

• Supervise field implementation of home hardening retrofits (e.g. ember-resistant vents, fire-rated materials, structure sealing) on standing homes.

• Direct installation of fire-resistant landscaping measures (e.g. defensible space creation, plant removal, irrigation retrofits, mulch/firebreak selection).
• Manage daily tasks of skilled and unskilled labor crews from the Pasadena Community Job Center, ensuring high productivity and work quality.
• Oversee subcontractors, ensuring proper execution of assigned tasks and adherence to GER3’s standards and protocols.
• Conduct quality control inspections and ensure projects comply with wildfire safety codes, environmental standards, and homeowner specifications.
• As needed, support in management, inventory, transportation, and distribution of supplies, materials, tools, and PPE.

Project Coordination

• Collaborate with project manager, technical assistant coordinator, and GER3 teams to ensure seamless coordination and on-time project delivery.
• Assist technical team to plan and sequence site work based on priority needs, available resources, and homeowner availability.
• Track materials usage, delivery schedules, and inventory of tools and equipment on site and at storage site.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Enforce site safety policies in alignment with OSHA standards and GER3 protocols.
• Support site safety briefings and ensure all workers are trained in proper use of PPE and wildfire mitigation
• tools.
• Identify and report potential risks or hazards and take corrective actions.

Training and Community Interaction

• Support hands-on training to team members and local contractors on fire-adapted building and landscaping practices.
• Answer homeowner questions on-site and coordinate with technical team to provide accurate information.
• Serve as a community ambassador for GER3’s technical assistance work in the field, modeling professionalism,
• inclusion, and empathy.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain project logs, photographs, and documentation for reporting and evaluation.
• Submit site progress updates, incident reports, and equipment checklists to the Project Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• 3–5 years of hands-on construction supervision experience, ideally in residential retrofits, disaster recovery, or mitigation work.
• Demonstrated expertise in wildfire resilience measures such as home hardening, defensible space design, and fire-resistant materials.
• Strong leadership and crew management skills; able to work with diverse teams in fast-paced environments.
• Basic knowledge of local building codes, wildfire zoning, and California defensible space requirements (e.g., AB 38, PRC §4291).
• Able to read and interpret site plans and scopes of work.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage respectfully with homeowners and community members.
• Proficiency in using mobile apps or tablets for field documentation and reporting.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to travel within the LA area as needed.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.

Preferred

• Wildfire survivor or former resident of Altadena/Pasadena area.
• Experience working with nonprofit or disaster recovery organizations.
• Certifications in fire mitigation, safety, or construction trades (e.g., Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, OSHA 10/30, contractor’s license).

WORK CONDITIONS

• Primarily field-based position with frequent travel to residential sites in fire-affected neighborhoods.
• Outdoor work in varying weather and terrain; must be able to lift 50+ lbs and work on uneven ground.
• Flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, based on homeowner availability and program needs.

REPORTING LINES

• This position will report directly to the Home Hardening Project Manager , and work closely with the Program Lead and Technical Assistance Coordinator .

SCHEDULE

• This is a full-time, fixed-term position until December 31, 2025 , with the possibility for extension depending on project scope and funding.

HOW TO APPLY

• Please send your resume and cover letter to recruitment@ger3.org no later than Thursday, July 24, 2025 with Home Wildfire Preparedness Foreman as the subject title of your email. 

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, For contractors, Fixed term contract, For subcontractor, Local area, Immediate start, Relocation, Flexible hours, Shift work, Afternoon shift,

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