Director, Ecosystem Services Markets

About the role

The Director, 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. This role will report to the Senior Director for Restoration Finance Innovation and sits within the Resilient Forests team at American Forests.

Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Director, Restoration Finance Innovation with RFP processes to identify qualified partner firms for upcoming projects.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with expert consultants related to water benefits accounting from reforestation and other restoration activities.
• Manage and help integrate internal software tools focused on measuring water and other ecosystem services benefits.
• Use internal tools and geospatial data to estimate ecosystem services benefits from American Forests’ historical and current reforestation and restoration projects.
• Collaborate with science team on impact measurement tools and methodologies.
• Proactively monitor and report out on trends related to ecosystem services markets to American Forests teams.
• Conduct and synthesize background research to inform decision-making, including developing market assessments, competitive landscape analyses, and summaries of potential partners, funders, and project beneficiaries.
• Serve as American Forests’ thought leader on ecosystem services measurement and monitoring, including for water, biodiversity, climate resilience, and other benefits.
• Collect and interpret primary data from monitoring stations and use this data to validate modeled estimates of benefits from reforestation and other restoration projects.
• Conduct an assessment of high-impact policy interventions at state and municipal levels that support increased funding for reforestation and forest health.
• Present to various audiences about ecosystem services tools and benefit calculations (for example, internal staff, private landowners, Tribal Nations, corporate and other partners).
• Oversee administration of consulting projects, including tracking project progress, documenting outcomes, and preparing final grant reports.
• Support proposal development and grant reporting for new corporate, philanthropic, and government partnerships related to ecosystem services benefits.
• Support Philanthropy and Communications teams by providing information on project outcomes, stories, and costs.

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.

Qualifications

Systems thinking approach to problem solving.

Skills

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. Experience with Airtable, ArcGIS, Excel, and other geospatial or project management software preferred.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package is designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and overall quality of life. We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health and wellness resources such as an Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, and disability, life, and AD&D insurance. To promote work-life balance, employees receive vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, parental bonding leave, bereavement leave, and military leave. Financial and retirement benefits include a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match. Additional perks, such as a technology stipend and pet benefits, further enhance the overall employee experience.

Pay

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position for a one-year term. Subsequent employment is subject to funding availability. The budgeted salary range is between $80,000 and $100,000.

Schedule

This position is remote based in the United States. Up to 10% of travel throughout the U.S. and/or to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington D.C. may be required.