Project Forester

SGS is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With over 97,000 employees in 130 countries and operating a network of more than 2,400 offices and laboratories, we provide services to almost every industry by assuring quality and safety of products and services.

Trusted all over the world, SGS is a market leader because we put 100% passion, pride and innovation into everything we do. We encourage new ideas. We welcome people who challenge the way we do things. And we will be 100% committed to helping you reach your full potential.

The Project Forester will develop forest carbon offset projects and conservation markets, including validation and verification (3rd -party audit) of agricultural, forestry, and other land use projects.  

• Assist with and conduct desktop and field validations and verifications of forest carbon offset projects.
• Assess, develop, implement and analyze forest inventories to verify forest carbon offset projects and data management.
• Quantify various attributes from forest inventory data, including statistical metrics
• Establish biomass and carbon stocking levels, and calculate biological sequestration, from forest inventory data collected using a wide range of methods.
• Develop short- and long-term forest management and planting/reforestation plans, determining optimal silvicultural prescriptions, and implementing forest monitoring.
• Monitor contract compliance and results of forest management activities to assure adherence to government regulations and/or carbon market requirements.
• Determine optimal timber harvesting methods yielding minimum waste and environmental damage.
• Assess deforested lands to ensure proper reclamation to the most suitable end uses.
• Implement projects for conservation of wildlife habitats and soil and water quality.
• Map various forest attributes, conducting geospatial analysis, and producing field maps.
• Evaluate and implement forest growth and yield models.
• Support teams with special projects and workflow process improvements and other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s forestry or forest management (analytical/biometric/geospatial focus preferred)
• Experience developing and implementing timber cruises to meet time and cost constraints.
• Experience with programming and development/implementation of forest growth & yield models.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in forestry or forest management (analytical/biometric/geospatial focus preferred)

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities

• Ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects in a fast-paced, highly professional environment.
• Working knowledge of forest management, forest inventory design and implementation, statistics, and growth-and-yield modeling
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of forestry practices, certifications and voluntary/compliance GHG reductions programs

Computer Skills

• Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access; basic knowledge of graphics programs – Intermediate level

Travel

• Frequent travel required (34%-66%)

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role.

• Health: Medical, dental and vision insurance, company-paid life, accident and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts
• Wealth: Competitive pay ($72,000-$100,000/yr), annual bonus opportunity, matching 401(k) with immediate vesting upon enrollment, generous employee referral program
• Happiness:
  • Professional Growth: Online training courses, education assistance program
  • Work-Life Balance: Paid-time off
  • Team Building: Employee engagement and recognition programs

Physical/Work Environment

• Work in diverse domestic and international forests requiring exposure and interactions with extreme terrain, native wildlife, insects, and various forest conditions throughout the year.

Physical Demands of the Job

Never (0%):

• Climb or balance
• Taste/Smell
• Visual strain

Occasional (5% to 33%):

• Stand
• Move or traverse
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• Reach with hands and arms
• Lift/carry/push/pull
• Tasks requiring limited muscle effort, for example lifting up to 5 kgs
• Tasks requiring light physical effort, for example lifting 5 kgs to 10 kgs
• Tasks requiring medium physical effort, for example lifting 10 kgs to 20 kgs
• Tasks requiring heavy physical effort, for example lifting > 20 kgs

Frequent (34% to 66%):

• Use hands
• Talk/hear
• Keyboarding

Constant (67% to 100%):

• Ability to focus on task

Environmental and Work Conditions

Seldom (1% - 4%):

• Work in high, precarious places        
• Fumes or airborne particles   

Occasional (5% - 33%):

• Work near moving mechanical part or moving vehicles

Frequent (34% - 66%):

• Outdoor weather conditions   Frequent (34% - 66%)

Never (0%):

• Wet or humid (non-weather) conditions       
• Possible exposure to infections, hormones, or bacteria        
• Dust, grease, or oil    
• Toxic or caustic chemicals    
• Extreme cold (non-weather)  
• Extreme heat (non-weather)  
• Risk of electrical shock         
• Work with explosives
• Risk of radiation        
• Vibration       
• Bio-Hazard    

SGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such we recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristics protected by law.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts the company’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

If you are applying for a position within the United States and you have difficulty completing the on-line employment application because of a disability, please call 201-508-3149 for assistance and leave a message. You will receive a call back.  Please note, this phone number is not for general employment information, but is only for individuals who are experiencing difficulty applying for a position due to a disability.