Position Description:
Aster Global has an immediate need for a forest biometrician with interest and experience in the developing market for carbon offset projects /credits, including validation/verification (3rd-party audit) of forest carbon offset projects. Strong background in forest biometrics, statistics and growth-and-yield modeling is required. Candidate needs to be a self-motivator with the ability to be productive in all types of work environments. The work location is flexible with responsibilities world-wide.
Your Contributions to our Success will include:
- Evaluation and implementation of forest growth models – specifically FVS
- Assist with/conduct validations and verifications of forest carbon projects
- Assessment/development/implementation of timber cruises to verify forest carbon projects and data management
- Provide assistance /training in applied biometrics, forest modeling and statistics to forestry staff
- Stay current on developments in the fields of forest biometrics, data management, and modeling
- Quantify various attributes from forest inventory data, including statistical metrics
- Establishment of biomass and carbon stocking levels, and calculation of biological sequestration, from forest inventory data collected using a wide range of methods
- Design and conduct forest inventories and perform inventory analysis
- Development of short- and long-term forest management and planting/reforestation plans, determination of optimal silvicultural prescriptions, and implementation of forest monitoring
- Monitors contract compliance and results of forest management activities to assure adherence to government regulations and/or carbon market requirements
- Determines optimal timber harvesting methods yielding minimum waste and environmental damage
- Assesses deforested lands to ensure proper reclamation to the most suitable end uses
- Implements projects for conservation of wildlife habitats and soil and water quality
- Participates in conducting forest surveys and related studies
- Performs inspections of forests or forest nurseries.
- Participate in inventory/planting audits
- Maps various forest attributes, conducts geospatial analysis, produces field maps
- Supports management with special projects and workflow process improvements and other duties as assigned
Position Requirements:
- Excellent communication skills – must communicate clearly and concisely in a variety of communication settings and styles (including in foreign countries and non-English speaking situations). Effectively tailoring the message to the needs of the audience.
- Strong knowledge of forest inventory applications.
- Ability to adapt and adjust to new field situations and/or regulations.
- Quality mensuration services (including field inventory), record-keeping/management, and subsequent data processing (i.e. volume and biomass/carbon quantification and growth and yield modeling) will be an essential component for this position.
- Demonstrated knowledge using remote sensing technologies (i.e. ArcMap or other web-based GIS applications) to evaluate and ascertain detailed forest tract information.
- Experience using GPS and integrating field-acquired data into ArcMap for project documentation and processing.
- Knowledge spanning a broad range of technical and analytical services related to forest inventory design, implementation, mensuration, growth and yield modeling, statistical analysis, and spatial analysis/modeling.
If you have the following it’s a plus:
- Strong understanding of the voluntary forest carbon market and GHG Programs (VCS, ARB, CAR, ACR, etc.)
- Auditing experience
- Experience developing and implementing timber cruises to meet time and cost constraints
- Experience with programming and development/implementation of forest growth models
- Social and environmental assessment/survey background
- Certified Forester designation through the Society of American Foresters and/or state-registered forester
Desired Proficiencies:
- Strong understanding of the voluntary forest carbon market and GHG Programs (VCS, ARB, CAR, ACR, etc.)
- Auditing experience
- Experience developing and implementing timber cruises to meet time and cost constraints
- Experience with programming and development/implementation of forest growth models
- Social and environmental assessment/survey background
- Certified Forester designation through the Society of American Foresters and/or state-registered forester
- Communicates clearly and concisely in a variety of communication settings and styles (including in foreign countries and non-English speaking situations). Effectively tailors the message to the needs of the audience
- Strong knowledge forest inventory applications
- Ability to adapt and adjust to new field situations and/or regulations
- Quality mensuration services (including field inventory), record-keeping/management, and subsequent data processing (i.e. volume and biomass/carbon quantification and growth and yield modeling) will be an essential component for this position
- Demonstrated knowledge using remote sensing technologies (i.e. ArcMap or other web-based GIS applications) to evaluate and ascertain detailed forest tract information
- Experience using GPS and integrating field-acquired data into ArcMap for project documentation and processing
- Effective document preparation, presentation, and communication skills are required
- Proficient in Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access; basic knowledge of graphics programs
- Detailed and thorough in completing work tasks
- Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations.
- Thorough knowledge of forestry practices, certifications and voluntary/compliance GHG reductions programs
- Knowledge of forest offset project protocols such as Climate Action Reserve, American Carbon Registry (ACR), Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and California Air Resource Board (ARB)
- Excellent analytical skills
- Excellent organizational and social skills required
- Desire and ability to work cohesively as part of a team of experts
Education:
- Master’s degree in statistics or forest biometrics (analytical/biometric/geospatial focus preferred), or closely related science that includes 12 semester or 16 quarter hours of forest biometrics, sampling design and/or statistics coursework; or
- Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or statistics and University coursework that includes 12 semester or 16 quarter hours of forest biometrics, sampling design and/or statistics coursework, and at least two years of experience sampling, developing, implementing and analyzing forest biomass or carbon inventories
- Strong knowledge and experience of forest biometrics, statistics, growth and yield models (FVS, FORSEE and similar), and data management
Travel:
- Travel required (approximately 40%-60%), both domestically and internationally (can include 3-4 weeks in the field at a time)
Physical Requirements of the Job:
- Typically works in outdoors environment (domestic and international), which may include extreme working conditions and inclement weather conditions.
- Working in diverse domestic and international forests requiring exposure and interactions with extreme terrain, native wildlife, insects, and various forest conditions throughout the year.
- As needed, lifts, carries or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Must be able to pass general physically fit testing.
- May be required to move about to coordinate work.
- Ability to communicate or exchange ideas by means of verbal or written word to impart information to clients or to the public and to convey detailed instructions to other workers and translators. • Ability to work remotely (i.e. home office, remote field locations) without distractions and interruptions to complete a minimum 40-hour work week
- Work requires occasional weekend and/or evening work. Travel 40%- 60% of the time.
Job Location: Remote position - Flexible with responsibilities and travel opportunities world-wide.
Start Date: ASAP
Salary/Benefits:
Aster Global offers a comprehensive benefits package consisting of Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, Short & Long -Term Disability Insurance, Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program, 12-Paid Holidays per yea, Paid Vacation, Personal Time off Pay, and Bereavement Pay. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
Employment Contingencies:
- Successful candidate(s) must pass a background check and must pass a drug test.
- Must have a valid driver's license and passport.
- Work requires occasional weekend and/or evening work.
- Must be able to travel for up to 20 consecutive days.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should send their resume, writing sample, three references, and anticipated starting salary via email to Natalie Hammer nhammer@asterglobal.com. Please include the title of the position for which you are applying.
Aster Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
About Aster Global Environmental Solutions
Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc. (Aster Global), is a world-wide leader in the provision of Forestry Carbon and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Services. With over 16 years of experience in the GHG emissions/removals and climate change market and 20+ year of experience in forestry and environmental consulting, the Aster Global team is a dynamic, diverse, and rapidly growing group of professionals who are known for their expertise, integrity, and customer service.
Aster Global recently purchased the Forestry Carbon and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Services division from Environmental Services, Inc.
Aster Global is accredited by the ANSI National Standards Institute (ANAB) under ISO 14065:2007 for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies including: ISO 14064-3:2013, ISO 14065:2007, validation/verification of assertions related to GHG emission reductions and removals at the project level for Land Use and Forestry (Group 3), verification of assertions related to GHG emissions and removals at the organizational level, and verifications of assertions related to GHG emissions for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. Aster Global is also an approved third-party validator and/or verifier for the Verified Carbon Standard; Climate Action Reserve; American Carbon Registry; Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Alliance; California Air Resources Board; British Columbia Carbon Registry; The Climate Registry; CDP; and the British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan Reporting Regulation.
