Director – Ecosystem Services Markets

Role Overview

• Successfully managing consulting engagements with peer organizations and professional firms from start to finish, including projects focused on developing methods and tools to quantify water and other benefits from reforestation and forest health projects.
• Identifying and building a business case for new areas of innovation across American Forests, especially in terms of funding and financing in support of resilient forest ecosystems.
• Conducting an assessment of high-impact policy interventions at state and municipal levels that support increased funding for reforestation and forest health.
• Analyzing and presenting findings from external datasets on relevant corporate partners.
• Successfully creating and delivering presentations to teams across American Forests on trends, new tools, and other topics.
• The Director for Emerging Ecosystem Services Markets will serve as one of American Forests’ key thought leaders on emerging ecosystem services markets and financing mechanisms in the U.S., including water and resilience markets.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with expert consultants related to water benefits accounting from reforestation and other restoration activities.
• Collaborate with science team on impact measurement tools and methodologies.
• Research, Data Analysis, and Thought Leadership: Proactively monitor and report out on trends related to ecosystem services markets to American Forests teams.
• Oversee administration of consulting projects, including tracking project progress, documenting outcomes, and preparing final grant reports.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or a related field is required.
• Masters degree in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, or Environmental Engineering strongly preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in project management related to hydrology, civil engineering, forestry, natural resources, or ecological restoration with proven results.
• Experience with water benefit accounting and corporate water stewardship.
• Experience with creating and editing financial models in Excel.
• Experience in a consulting firm or other project-based, professional services-oriented role.
• Experience and comfort using software platforms and technical tools for project tracking and data management.
• Experience with Airtable, ArcGIS, Excel, and other geospatial or project management software preferred.
• Strong analytical skills, creativity, curiosity, openness to feedback, and the ability to effectively interact with others at all levels within an organization.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to translate technical data for non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• 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