Remote Sensing Scientist & Geospatial Software Engineer, Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Terra Global; United States; Remote; USD 68,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a mission-driven company as a Remote Sensing Scientist and Geospatial Software Engineer, where your expertise in Nature-based Solutions will drive climate finance and sustainable landscape management. This role offers the chance to work with a global team, leveraging GIS and remote sensing data to create innovative solutions. Collaborate with diverse professionals and contribute to impactful projects that enhance environmental sustainability. If you are passionate about using technology for positive change and enjoy a flexible work environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Professional Growth Opportunities

Flexible Work Environment

Collaborative Team Atmosphere

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of GIS/RS experience in forestry, agriculture, or land-use change.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience required.

Responsibilities

• Execute remote sensing analysis and manage spatial data.
• Develop GIS tools and conduct spatial analyses for project reporting.
• Collaborate with project managers and review technical aspects of projects.

Skills

GIS/Remote Sensing

Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Python

ESRI ArcGIS

QGIS

Remote Sensing Data Management

Data Analysis

Machine Learning

AWS

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Bachelor’s degree in Forestry

Bachelor’s degree in Geography

Bachelor’s degree in Remote Sensing/Geospatial Science

Tools

ArcGIS Desktop/Pro

ArcGIS Server

Google Earth Engine

LiDAR

MS Office Suite

Job description

Remote Sensing Scientist & Geospatial Software Engineer, Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Term: Full-time – Employee or Consultant (depending on location)

Location: Work from home/in US time zones

Position Responsibilities

Terra Global is seeking a full-time Remote Sensing Scientist and Geospatial Software Engineer to join a multidisciplinary, global team. The right candidate brings expertise in the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) sector (see further requirements below). This position is for someone who is energized by solving problems using location-based data and takes pride in developing solutions that will drive climate finance to communities and governments for sustainable landscape management. The position requires understanding both GIS/RS and driving the innovation to leverage local knowledge with global data sets. The position requires working closely with a technical team and collaboratively with team members with diverse skill sets.

The position will be responsible for:

• Executing the workflow of remote sensing analysis (data acquisition, re-projection, geometric correction, radiometric correction, classification, and map production).
• Collecting, generating and managing spatial data at project, regional and global scales.
• Collecting imagery and data to perform land cover classification.
• Performing landcover classification and post classification processes.
• Running and improving the existing Python code to manipulate large raster datasets.
• Executing land-use change modeling and GHG accounting at site-based and jurisdictional scales.
• Contributing to developing biomass calculations associated with land-use change.
• Conducting spatial analyses and producing maps to meet reporting requirements, with a particular focus on the new consolidated REDD methodology and JNR.
• Creating new GIS tools to improve internal processes.
• Working closely with project managers to review spatial data received from partners.
• Reviewing technical aspects of AFOLU GHG projects and programs and providing guidance to project developers regarding project typology, eligible methodologies and mechanics of carbon monitoring, reporting and verification.
• Contributing to creation and review of carbon feasibility studies, Project Documents and Monitoring and Implementation Reports including background research and creation of content.
• Visiting project sites in developing countries, for data gathering and sharing, mapping and collecting ground-truthing data.

Company Summary

Founded in 2006, Terra Global is a mission-driven company delivering 18 years of passion and persistence for people and the planet. Terra Global's mission is to facilitate financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable landscapes. Terra Global is a global leader in sustainable forest and agriculture program development, land-use greenhouse gas quantification and finance, and providing technical expertise and investment capital to their global client base in a collaborative and innovative manner. Having worked in 30+ countries, Terra Global has designed and supported the implementation of REDD+ and other sustainable landscape programs from the project to national scale.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

A minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive, relevant GIS/RS experience in applications that involve forestry, agriculture and/or land-use change analysis in developing countries. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Forestry, Geography, Remote Sensing/Geospatial Science or related field, or equivalent experience is required.

Technical Skills

• Expertise in Nature-based Solutions (NbS), including an understanding of the verification and validation of emissions reductions and removals credits (e.g., methodologies, process) and technical GHG protocol aspects.
• In-depth understanding of ESRI ArcGIS platform, including ArcGIS Desktop/Pro, Server, Enterprise/Portal, and Image Server.
• Knowledge of open-source geospatial solutions like QGIS and Google Earth Engine.
• Knowledge of acquisition, management, interpretation, and exploitation of remote sensing data including spaceborne, airborne, and UAV data and imagery, mosaics, and LiDAR.
• In-depth technical knowledge and skills including geo-database design and spatial relationships.
• Technical knowledge and skills performing land use and land cover change maps using different sources of satellite imageries including multispectral imagery and radar data.
• Fluency with the MS Office suite, including formatting in Word and advanced Excel skills.

Other Skills

• Passion/persistence to work as a team-player and contribute to a company dedicated to Nature-based Solutions (NbS) program approaches.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills: Verbal, written, and presentational.
• Proactive and positive attitude; strong willingness to contribute effectively and positively to a multidisciplinary, global private company.
• Highly motivated to meet corporate and personal/professional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), as assigned annually.
• Knowledge and strong understanding of machine learning packages.
• Knowledge of public cloud services (AWS) and CI/CD tools.
• Thorough understanding of (geo-)statistics and data extraction and analysis.
• Experience with GHG market standards, guidelines and protocols.
• Actively working to learn new skills in order to stay ahead of with changing technologies and industry trends and shares knowledge proactively with others.
• Able to apply business knowledge to develop and deliver innovative, beneficial improvements.
• Excellent collaboration skills, required both in-person and fully remote.
• Demonstrable ability to operate and effectively communicate while under pressure, as well as the ability to lead a diverse workload and work under time constraints.
• This position requires occasional travel up to 20%.
• Skilled in communicating technical topics to non-technical audiences.
• Possess either English or Spanish writing and speaking skills, English understanding is required.
• Experience working in an international environment, specifically in developing countries.

What We Offer

• “18 Years of Passion and Persistence for People and the Planet”: work for a successful, mission-driven social enterprise that is an industry leader in facilitating financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable landscapes in developing countries and emerging economies.
• Professional Growth: thrive on the opportunity to learn through training and development with dedicated professionals working from different countries around the world.
• Collaboration: join a great team atmosphere and a corporate culture based on mutual respect, partnerships, flat reporting structures and the opportunity to work from home.

Compensation

$68k - $100k base per year for US based staff, commensurate with qualifications and home working location.

Interested candidates please apply here.