Forestry Lead Auditor — Independent Contractor

NSF; California; On-site; USD 92,000 - 166,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive daily pay rate

Reimburse travel costs

Flexible scheduling

Technical team support

Job summary

NSF is seeking a Forestry Lead Auditor to oversee independent audits across North America. The role involves planning, coordinating, and executing all audit phases for SFI, PEFC, FSC, ATFS programs as an independent contractor with flexible scheduling.

Ideal candidates will hold forestry credentials and have experience in forestry certification programs, audits, and reporting. The position offers 20–30 audit days per year and requires strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience auditing sustainable forestry, environmental or quality standards.
• Professional certificate in forestry/audit preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication for audit reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead 3rd party audits in North America.
• Plan, manage and execute all audit phases.
• Maintain 20–30 audit days per year.

Skills

Auditing expertise

Forestry knowledge

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Professional forestry degree

Tools

PC/laptop

Job description

Independent Contractor - Forestry Auditor

CA, United States and 2 more

Job Description

We are seeking a ForestryLead Auditor (SFI Forest Management, SFI Fiber Sourcing, SFI Chain of Custody, PEFC Chain of Custody, FSC Chain of Custody, FSC Forest Management, & ATFS,to lead 3rd Party Audits in North America. This is an independent contract position that offers flexible scheduling to perform 20-30 days of audits per year. As a Forestry Lead Auditor you will be responsible for managing, planning and executing all phases for each audit process.

Responsibilities

• Valid Inspector certificate, Forester License, PEFC knowledge certificate
• Forestry Certification experience in (SFI Forest Management, SFI Fiber Sourcing, SFI Chain of Custody, PEFC Chain of Custody, FSC Chain of Custody, FSC Forest Management, & ATFS(inspector certificate) SFI Chain of Custody, forester license
• Forest Management auditors: Professional degree with preference to advanced degrees in forest science and natural resource management. Professionals who have worked in forest management and/or the forest products industry and understand associated management systems and programs.
• Experience in implementing or auditing sustainable forestry, product, quality, or environmental management system standards, which may include experience in conducting internal or external audits of sustainable forestry, environmental management system, product, or quality standards. Preference will be given to industry foresters having experience with SFI programs for SFI Program Participants (for audits for industry clients) or those with experience conducting or external audits.
• Business entity preferred.
• Ability to maintain at least 20-30 audit days per year.
• PC computer and/or laptop

Education and Work Experience:
Auditors shall have the education, appropriate work experience and knowledge to be competent in:
· Technical forestry operations focused on the production of wood fiber;
· The integration of economic, environmental and social aspects of forestry;
· Forestry and environmental laws and regulations;
· Relevant forest management standards;
· Relevant forestry and environmental laws and regulations
· Environmental management systems against which audits may be conducted;

Preferred lead auditor qualification


Forest Management and Fiber Sourcing auditors shall have the education, formal training, and experience that promote competency in and comprehension of:
· forestry operations as they relate to natural resource management, including wildlife, fisheries, recreation, etc.;
· environmental regulation related to forestry;
· international and domestic sustainable forestry management systems and performance standards; and
· certification requirements related to the standards.
Exceptions to selected knowledge, education and/or experience requirements may be granted when warranted by the specialized
nature of the audit assignment and by the auditor’s training or expertise

Personal Competencies and Skills for All Auditors
All auditors shall possess personal attributes, competencies and skills in the following areas:
· Clear expression of concepts and ideas, both verbally and in writing;
· Interpersonal skills conducive to effective and efficient auditing, including diplomacy, tact and the ability to listen;
· Sensitivity to regional and cultural norms;
· The ability to reach sound and objective judgments based upon objective evidence; and
· Organizational skills that facilitate analyzing and processing a large amount of information.

What we offer:

• Competitive Daily Pay Rate
• Reimburse Travel Costs
• Flexible Scheduling
• Support of a Technical Team

#LI-CB1

Qualifications

• Forestry Certification experience in PEFC Chain of Custody, SFI Fiber Sourcing, SFI Forest Management, FSC (Chain of Custody, Forest Management), ATFS (inspector certificate), SFI Chain of Custody, forester license
• Experience in implementing or auditing sustainable forestry, product, quality, or environmental management system standards, which may include experience in conducting internal or external audits of sustainable forestry, environmental management system, product, or quality standards. Preference will be given to industry foresters having experience with SFI programs for SFI Program Participants (for audits for industry clients) or those with experience conducting internal or external audits.
• Technical forestry operations focused on the production of wood fiber;
  · The integration of economic, environmental and social aspects of forestry;
  · Forestry and environmental laws and regulations;
  · Relevant forest management standards;
  · Relevant forestry and environmental laws and regulations
  · Environmental management systems against which audits may be conducted; Professional audit procedures, including the SFI Audit Procedures and Qualifications (SFI-APQ)
  
  

About Us

With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, NSF leverages science and innovation to improve human and planet health. We provide science-driven, independent testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services and develop the very standards that drive the food, water, and life sciences industries worldwide. We empower our clients to navigate shifting regulations to improve consumer health, safety, and quality of life.

One of our core values is We Are One NSF. This means that while we’re one team, we embrace the cultural, ethnic, language, and demographic diversity that reflects the societies in which we live and work.

Come join a team that makes a difference in the world. More information about NSF can be found at nsf.org.

NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF employee by a third-party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement between NSF and said third-party agency will become the sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

About the Team

NSF provides a holistic suite of value-added digital, information security and sustainability solutions that span our core industries of food, water and life sciences. Our client-focused teams have deep industry expertise and are committed to supporting the journey to certification, helping to empower organizations to drive process and performance improvements for products, people, and the planet.

Job Info

• Job Identification 3349
• Job Category Audit and Inspection
• Posting Date 11/13/2025, 08:41 PM
• Degree Level Bachelor's Degree
• Job Schedule Part time
• Locations 125 Chancellors Way, Ontario, CA