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Austin Pyles

Austin Pyles
Assistant Scientist

Austin Pyles

Assistant Scientist

Mr. Austin Pyles is an environmental professional with 7 years of hands-on experience in field-based monitoring, marine science, and regulatory compliance. His work spans a wide range of high-impact environmental projects, including coordinated watershed monitoring programs, offshore sediment sampling for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dredging projects, and surface and groundwater sampling for tribal communities. Across these roles, Mr. Pyles has consistently demonstrated reliability, technical competence, and the ability to operate safely in challenging field environments.

Mr. Pyles has played key roles in several large-scale water quality monitoring initiatives across Sout...

Mr. Austin Pyles is an environmental professional with 7 years of hands-on experience in field-based monitoring, marine science, and regulatory compliance. His work spans a wide range of high-impact environmental projects, including coordinated watershed monitoring programs, offshore sediment sampling for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dredging projects, and surface and groundwater sampling for tribal communities. Across these roles, Mr. Pyles has consistently demonstrated reliability, technical competence, and the ability to operate safely in challenging field environments.

Mr. Pyles has played key roles in several large-scale water quality monitoring initiatives across Southern California. He has supported municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) NPDES permit compliance through wet- and dry-weather stormwater sampling under the Los Cerritos Channel, Los Angeles River, and San Gabriel River coordinated integrated monitoring programs (CIMPs). In partnership with the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, he has also conducted routine surface water, drinking water, and groundwater monitoring. He additionally performs per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sampling in support of the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5), ensuring proper protocol adherence and high-quality data collection.

In marine environments, Mr. Pyles has logged more than 200 hours of marine mammal observation during construction activities and has supported nearshore reef monitoring through SCUBA-based ecological surveys. His offshore work includes vibracore sediment sampling for the Port of Long Beach deepening and the Newport Harbor maintenance dredging projects as an operator of vessel sampling equipment. He also ensured environmental compliance by monitoring marine life. Through each assignment, Mr. Pyles has demonstrated his ability to work independently or as part of a team, contributing to high-performing field crews that deliver accurate data while upholding rigorous safety and environmental standards.

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Environmental Monitoring

City of Long Beach Nearshore (Non-Port) Watershed Integrated Monitoring Program (IMP), Long Beach, California Participates in wet- and dry-weather monitoring in support of complying with the Los Angeles Regional MS4 NPDES permit. Performs field operations, maintains and calibrates monitoring equipment, conducts hydrologic and other field data quality control checks, prepares stormwater flow hydrographs for reporting, and contributes to preparing client reports of monitoring activities.
Implementation of the Los Cerritos Channel Watershed CIMP, Los Angeles County, California Participates in wet- and dry-weather monitoring in support of the Los Angeles Regional MS4 NPDES permit. Responsibilities during storm events include collecting grab and composite samples, processing subsamples, and collecting in situ water quality data. Installs, maintains, and removes long-term sampling equipment at multiple sites at the start and end of the storm season. Additional duties include maintaining and calibrating monitoring equipment as well as conducting field data quality control checks in support of report preparation for regulatory compliance.
Implementation of the Lower Los Angeles River and Lower San Gabriel River CIMPs, Los Angeles County, California Participates in watershed monitoring to meet the Los Angeles Regional MS4 NPDES permit and total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements. Conducts wet-and dry-weather sampling, installs and maintains monitoring equipment, and assists with the deployment of remote telemetry systems to support storm-triggered sampling. Performs field operations in alignment with health and safety protocols and conducts hydrologic data quality control checks in support of report preparation to ensure regulatory compliance.
Upper San Gabriel River Enhanced Watershed Management Program, Los Angeles County, California Participates in daily field operations across multiple sites in support of complying with the Los Angeles Regional MS4 NPDES permit under the Upper San Gabriel River CIMP. Supports wet- and dry-weather sampling events, programs and maintains automated samplers and field equipment, and ensures adherence to permit protocols. Assists with field data quality control and reporting.

Groundwater Monitoring

Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians Groundwater Monitoring, Rincon Reservation, California Manages groundwater sampling across tribal lands in support of ongoing water quality monitoring efforts. Conducts quarterly sampling using low-flow bladder pumps to collect representative samples for laboratory analysis and ensures proper documentation and timely delivery with completed chains of custody. Provides high-quality data to inform sustainable groundwater management and long-term resource planning while supporting the environmental health of tribal water resources.

Habitat Assessment

Habitat Use and Nest Site Selection of Garibaldi, Long Beach, California Field researcher for California State Polytechnic University at Pomona studying the life history of California’s marine fish species. Assessed physical and biological habitat features influencing nest distribution, density, and reproductive behavior of Garibaldi on high-relief artificial reef structures using diver-based, stereo-video methods. Evaluated depth-specific habitat use and conducted multivariate analyses to identify key environmental predictors of nesting success. Results supported targeted habitat assessments and monitoring in coastal artificial reef environments to enhance ecological function and biodiversity.

Marine Science

Marine Mammal Monitoring for Structural Repairs at Terminal Berths 118 and 119 Project, Port of Los Angeles, California As marine mammal observer, conducted more than 200 hours of monitoring in acoustic construction zones within Los Angeles Harbor. Utilized visual techniques to document marine mammal presence and behavior, assessed potential impacts from construction, and ensured compliance with environmental regulations. Collaborated with project teams to identify potential risks, implement mitigation measures, and contribute to reporting and environmental compliance documentation.
Southern California Bight Rocky Reef Monitoring Program, Palos Verdes, California Conducted research on nearshore marine ecosystems with a focus on the impacts of marine protected areas on biodiversity. Led NPDES monitoring efforts to collect and analyze water quality data to evaluate environmental health and compliance. Supported the long-term monitoring of rocky reef habitats and assessed changes in biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics over time. Collected and analyzed sediment samples for infauna composition, sediment chemistry, grain size distribution, bacterial content, and bioassay results.

PFAS

Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians PFAS Monitoring, Rincon Reservation, California Manages PFAS sampling at six groundwater production wells in support of compliance with the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). Manages field teams, leads sampling events, and ensures ultra-clean sampling conditions that are critical for trace-level analyses. This work supports regulatory compliance, safeguards the environmental health of tribal water resources, and contributes valuable data for sustainable groundwater management.

R&D

Validation of SARS-CoV-2 Multiplex Assay on Repeat Samples Using Hamilton Liquid Handlers, San Dimas, California Assisted in the development and validation of COVID-19 testing method optimization on patient samples requiring repeat analysis. Improved consistency and workflow efficiency in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-regulated clinical laboratory. Contributed to the creation and refinement of standard operating procedures, quality control protocols, and system troubleshooting.

Sediment Investigation

Sediment Quality and Dredge Program Support, Newport Beach, California Participated in a USACE sediment quality assessment project supporting proposed maintenance dredging. Assisted with offshore sediment collection using vibracore and van Veen grab sampling techniques in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment. Operated coring and sampling equipment in accordance with established protocols to maintain sample integrity. Independently operated a small boat to deploy anchors for the vibracore platform. Supported regulatory agency evaluations of sediment data for potential dredging, beach nourishment, and ocean disposal.
Port of Long Beach Deep Navigation Project, Long Beach, California Participated in a USACE sediment quality assessment project supporting proposed maintenance dredging and channel widening and deepening. Collected sediment using vibracore and van Veen grab sampling methods while adhering to sampling protocols and regulatory requirements. This project provided sediment quality data to regualtory agencies in support of evaluations for dredging, beach nourishment, unconfined sediment storage, and ocean disposal.
Offshore Sand Borrow Site Investigation, Long Beach, California Supported offshore sediment collection efforts for a study evaluating sand borrow sites for wind energy infrastructure development. Assisted with deployment and retrieval of sediment vibracore and van Veen grab equipment while maintaining safe, efficient deck operations under challenging offshore conditions. Ensured proper sample handling and supported documentation in accordance with project protocols. In addition, monitored the surrounding area, as a marine mammal observer, for the presence of marine mammals during vibracore operations. Utilized visual techniques to document marine mammal presence and behavior to comply with environmental regulations. Coordinated with the coring team to halt operations in the presence of wildlife to minimize impacts.

Surface Water Monitoring

Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians Algal Monitoring, Rincon Reservation, California Manages surface water sampling from seven sites across tribal lands in support of ongoing water quality monitoring efforts. Conducts quarterly sampling to collect representative water and algal samples for laboratory analysis, ensuring proper documentation and timely delivery with completed chains of custody. High-quality data provided informs sustainable surface water management and long-term resource planning while supporting the environmental health of tribal water resources.

Water Quality Monitoring

Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians Drinking Water Monitoring, Rincon Reservation, California Coordinates monthly drinking water sampling for chlorine, total coliforms, and E. coli across multiple distribution systems, including faucets, fire hydrants, and quick-connect stations. Manages logistics, prepares equipment, and ensures proper sampling techniques to maintain data integrity. Coordinates with the laboratory, performs quality control checks, and supports timely data reporting in support of protecting the health of tribal water resources.
Miramar Reservoir Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring System Support, San Diego, California Participates in the quarterly maintenance of a real-time water quality monitoring system in coordination with the prime contractor for the City of San Diego Public Works Department. Recovers and redeploys instrumented moorings from a small boat, cleans and replaces sensors, and verifies proper system functionality. Contributes to the collection of continuous environmental data used by the Miramar Water Treatment Plant to guide operational decisions and maintain regulatory compliance for the city’s potable water supply.
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