Senior Forest Analyst

Position Summary:

Senior Forest Analysts work primarily with our forest carbon project verification team on all aspects of verification and validation work, including conducting site visits primarily in North America (US, Mexico, and Canada) as well as other international locations, analysis of project modeling and quantification, audits of project documentation, and completion of verification reports. This position also manages a team of analysts that are dedicated to assisting with project validation and verification. Additionally, this position may provide support to our company’s timberland management program including design, implementation, and analysis of timber inventories and appraisals, spatial data analysis and cartography (GIS), and some field work.

Responsibilities:

- General:

- Maintain and develop technical capabilities related to all verification, validation, confirmation and other associated audit activities according to various forest carbon programs, registries, and tools (CA Air Resources Board Compliance Offset Program, voluntary programs such as the Climate Action Reserve, Climate Forward, Verified Carbon Standard, and the American Carbon Registry) as well as other ecosystem or social benefits systems such as CCB (Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards) or SD VISta (Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard).

- Assures a safe workplace. Takes personal initiative and an aggressive responsibility to ensure ongoing safe behaviors through implementation and active participation in the company safety program with a goal of no recordable accidents. Develops, implements, and facilitates safety elements to support the Company’s Injury and Illness Prevention Plan and participates actively in Company safety program.

- Effectively and professionally represent the Company and its clients. Develops and maintains good working relationships with Federal/State agencies, local officials, private organizations, authoritative entities (such as Climate Action Reserve), and research cooperatives. Build a network of such contacts to support project work.

- Remains current on technical and regulatory issues relating to forest carbon programs through active membership and participation in key cooperatives and/or industry groups.

- Regularly exercises discretionary decisions in the performance of his/her duties.

- Must maintain punctual and regular attendance and present appropriate professional appearance at all times.

- Must be committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all of employer, client, and project data and information

- Participate in all verification, validation, confirmation and other associated audit activities with ability to learn and follow verification requirements according to various forest carbon programs, registries, and tools (CA Air Resources Board Compliance Offset Program, voluntary programs such as the Climate Action Reserve, Climate Forward, Verified Carbon Standard, and the American Carbon Registry).

- Assess project conformance with related methodologies to evaluate other ecosystem or social benefits such as CCB (Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards) or SD VISta (Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard)

- Completion of on-site inventory audits including forest mensuration/check-cruising, harvest/silvicultural method analysis, boundary verification

- Completion of data auditing of carbon quantification including growth and yield modeling

- Evaluate the use of modeling software such as USFS Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS), CBM-CFS3, Remsoft Woodstock, etc.

- Evaluate GIS modeling for conformance to various forest carbon protocols/methodologies; GIS analysis and cartography and use of online/mobile GIS software for field data collection

- Interview project personnel regarding harvesting activities and other regulatory compliance; interview project stakeholders for conformance to various forest carbon protocols/methodologies

- Perform senior or independent reviews for forest carbon projects in coordination with the Supervisor

- Professional interaction with clients

- Provide training and guidance to Forest Analysts

- Coordinate and contribute to the development and refinement of training materials, templates, and internal processes for validation and verification work

- Coordinate with supervisor on resource allocation, provide feedback on technical work of Forest Analysts

Education and Experience:

- B.S./B.A. in Forestry or closely related field

- 2 years experience in Forest Carbon project development, validation/verification, Registry or regulatory oversight or related

- 5 years experience working in forestry or closely related field

- Valid driver’s license and clear driving record

Specific Skills, Knowledge and Skills:

- High level of competency with forest inventory measurements, instruments, and sampling protocols

- High proficiency in Microsoft Excel

- High proficiency in the suite of ESRI GIS software

- Interest in remote/rural travel

- Proficiency in database management and database tools including Access, R, etc

- Valid driver’s license and clear driving record

- Ability to drive vehicles in a safe manner and in accordance with company policy

- Ability to work safely, effectively, and respectfully with others and alone in steep, rugged terrain under adverse weather conditions

- Ability to navigate terrain with GPS or map and compass

- Creativity and interest in utilizing new technologies

- Interest in being involved with a wide variety of project types and stages

- Excellent written and oral communication skills

- State-issued Professional Forester credential or SAF Certified Forester or the ability to obtain a credential within 1 year

- Ability to attain forestry verifier credentials with Climate Action Reserve, Climate Forward, and ACR within 1 year of hire

- Ability to attain ARB Accredited Offset Verifier and US Forest Projects Specialist within 1 year of hire

- Ability to work on a variety of complex tasks simultaneously.

- Ability to take ownership of responsibilities of the job and effectively handle interpersonal relationships with others.

- Ability to consistently meet deadlines, complete projects as previously defined while delivering accurate and high quality work products.

- Ability to work with integrity, trust and commitment, setting an example for others.

- Ability to foster and support a diverse, ethical and respectful workplace.

- Ability to share knowledge and participate in coaching and mentoring others.

- Ability to be adaptable, tolerant of ambiguities and open to change.

Additional information

Equal Opportunity Employer – Disability and Veteran

TÜV SÜD America, Inc. is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, marital status, genetics, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status and those laws, directives, and regulations of Federal, State, and Local governing bodies or agencies. We participate in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to the following: Labor Law 2024