Director – Ecosystem Services Markets

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Effectively oversee consulting projects with peer organizations and professional firms from inception to completion, focusing on the development of methods and tools to quantify the benefits of water and other resources from reforestation and forest health initiatives.

• Identify and establish a business case for innovative opportunities within American Forests, particularly concerning funding and financing that supports resilient forest ecosystems.

• Conduct evaluations of impactful policy measures at state and municipal levels that facilitate increased funding for reforestation and forest health efforts.

• Analyze and present insights derived from external datasets concerning relevant corporate partners.

• Successfully develop and deliver presentations to teams within American Forests on emerging trends, new tools, and various topics.

• Act as one of American Forests’ principal thought leaders on emerging ecosystem services markets and financing mechanisms in the U.S., including water and resilience markets.

• Report to the Senior Director for Restoration Finance Innovation and collaborate with the Resilient Forests team at American Forests.

• Manage daily interactions with expert consultants regarding water benefits accounting from reforestation and other restoration activities.

• Utilize internal tools and geospatial data to estimate ecosystem services benefits from American Forests’ past and ongoing reforestation and restoration projects.

• Proactively track and report on trends related to ecosystem services markets to American Forests teams, including carbon, water, climate resilience, and biodiversity.

• Oversee the administration of consulting projects, including monitoring project progress, documenting outcomes, and preparing final grant reports.

⛳️ Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or a related discipline is mandatory.

• A master's degree in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, or Environmental Engineering is highly preferred.

• At least seven (7) years of experience in project management related to hydrology, civil engineering, forestry, natural resources, or ecological restoration with demonstrated success.

• Familiarity with water benefit accounting and corporate water stewardship practices.

• Proficient in creating and refining financial models using Excel.

• Previous experience in a consulting firm or a project-based, professional services-oriented role.

• Comfort and experience with software platforms and technical tools for project tracking and data management.

• Preferred experience with Airtable, ArcGIS, Excel, and other geospatial or project management software.

• Strong analytical abilities, creativity, curiosity, openness to feedback, and effective interpersonal skills at all organizational levels.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the capability to convey technical data to non-technical audiences.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

• A systems thinking approach to problem-solving.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health insurance

• Dental coverage

• Vision coverage

• Employee Assistance Program

• Flexible spending accounts

• Disability insurance

• Life insurance

• AD&D insurance

• Vacation and sick leave

• Paid holidays

• Parental bonding leave

• Bereavement leave

• Military leave

• 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match

• Technology stipend

• Pet benefits