Forest Certification Specialist, U.S. Region

The Rainforest Alliance (RA) is an international nonprofit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Based in New York City, with offices throughout the United States and worldwide, the Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers.

SmartWood, a program of the Rainforest Alliance, is the world's leading Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forest management certifier, setting the international gold standard for credibility in auditing environmentally and socially responsible forestry. SmartWood offers a diverse set of certification and verification services, including FSC certification, legality verification, SmartLogging and carbon validation and verification. Today more than 2,700 operations spanning 63 countries have been certified by the Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood program.

Position Overview:

The Specialist will be responsible for the coordination and management of the execution of certification services for the SmartWood U.S. Region Forest Management portfolio to include FSC forest management, SmartLogging and carbon verification. S/he will be directly involved in all aspects of certification assessments and audits including scheduling, project management, customer service, auditor management and quality control.

S/he will be also be responsible for providing training and mentoring to staff and auditors.  This position oversees the SmartWood U.S. Region Forest Management team with direct supervision of the Forest Management Associate, Staff Auditor and Forestry Technical Coordinator.

Title: Forest Certification Specialist, U.S. Region - SmartWood Program, Sustainable Forestry Division

Reports to: Regional Manager, U.S. Region - SmartWood Program, Sustainable Forestry Division

Location: Northfield, MN (preferred)

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Regional Manager provide day-to-day leadership in managing and growing SmartWood's forest management portfolio in the U.S. Region;
• Develop and implement annual audit schedules and ensure timely and efficient completion of annual audits on selected assessments and audits;
• Ensure efficiency, quality control and adherence to SmartWood technical and administration certification protocols for all jobs directly under his/her responsibilities;
• Develop and maintain strong expertise in applicable SmartWood and FSC policies and protocols regarding forest management, carbon and SmartLogging certification;
• Manage the execution of forest management, carbon and SmartLogging audits and assessments in the US to include budgeting, service contracts, team identification, logistical planning, support to auditors, liaison with clients and development of reports;
• Provide customer service to current and potential SmartWood clients;
• Serve as project manage and/or lead auditor for a subset of forest management assessments and audits;
• Recruit, train and manage qualified auditors as needed;
• Ensure staff are adequately trained and proficient with all applicable services and procedures;
• Contribute to developing client recruitment strategies for forest management, SmartLogging and carbon verification services in the US; and
• Provide input for SmartWood policy development and technical improvements to the certification system;
• Collaborate with other U.S. Region team members and SmartWood personnel in achieving SmartWood objectives;
• Give presentations and attend meetings, as needed, to promote SmartWood and FSC certification;
• Support other SmartWood staff in the execution and coordination of client recruitment, assessments and audits and other SmartWood projects;
• Provide monthly expense and progress reports to the Regional Manager; and
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Forest Products, Forestry, Natural Resource Management or related field requires;
• Advanced degree preferred;
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years experience in forestry or a related field;
• Knowledge of Forest Stewardship Council certification and SmartWood preferred;
• Knowledge of the forest products industry in the US;
• Strong organizational and project management skills;
• Experience in strategic and operational plan development and implementation;
• ISO 9001 or 14001 Lead Auditor training preferred;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Strong customer service skills;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; and
• Ability to travel up to 30% of time.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package provided.

To Apply:

Please send resume, cover letter and salary history. If emailing, use the following format in the subject line: first name and last name, job title of position you are applying for.

Human Resources
Rainforest Alliance 
665 Broadway, Suite 500
New York, NY 10012

The Rainforest Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.