Senior Lead Auditor - Forestry

EcoEngineers; Des Moines (IA); Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Lead Auditor specializing in forestry carbon projects. This pivotal role involves leading validation and verification audits, ensuring compliance with top-tier voluntary standards. The ideal candidate will leverage extensive experience in carbon accounting and auditing while engaging directly with clients to uphold the integrity of impactful environmental projects. Join a diverse team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the realm of nature-based solutions and contribute your expertise to transformative forestry initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in forestry or carbon project development.
• Experience with voluntary carbon standards and auditing.

Responsibilities

• Lead audits for forestry carbon projects across multiple registries.
• Review Project Design Documents and emission calculations.

Skills

Forestry

Carbon Accounting

Audit Management

GIS/Remote Sensing

Communication Skills

Education

Advanced Degree in Forestry

ISO Standards Qualifications

Tools

Carbon Quantification Tools

Forest Growth Models

GIS Software

Job description

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Position Summary

EcoEngineers is seeking an experienced Forestry Lead Auditor to support third-party validation and verification of forest carbon projects under leading voluntary carbon market standards. This role will focus on nature-based solutions such as improved forest management, afforestation/reforestation, and REDD+, with projects registered under programs like Verra, ACR, CAR, Gold Standard, Puro.earth, and Isometric. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in forest carbon accounting, a strong command of relevant methodologies, and a proven track record conducting audits in the voluntary carbon market. This is a senior-level position for someone who is ready to lead complex audits, engage directly with clients and registries, and help ensure the environmental integrity of high-impact forest carbon projects.

Organization

Employment Type: Part-Time, Contract (W9)

Location: Remote/Flexible - US based strongly preferred. Time zones with significant overlap with the US Central Time Zone preferred.

Responsibilities

1. Lead validation and verification audits for forestry carbon projects across multiple registries (e.g., Verra, ACR, CAR, Gold Standard, Puro.earth, Isometric).
2. Serve as the technical lead for forestry-related audits, focusing on IFM, ARR, REDD+, and related methodologies.
3. Conduct site visits, stakeholder interviews, and remote data reviews to confirm project implementation and monitoring accuracy.
4. Review and assess Project Design Documents (PDDs), baseline justifications, forest inventory methods, monitoring reports, and emission calculations.
5. Evaluate carbon quantification tools, models, and remote sensing data, including satellite imagery, LiDAR, and GIS layers.
6. Identify non-conformities, risks, or data inconsistencies, and issue corrective actions as needed.
7. Draft and submit audit reports in line with registry and ISO standards.
8. Collaborate with QA teams to ensure quality and methodological compliance.
9. Stay updated on forestry methodologies, carbon accounting frameworks, and registry requirements.
10. Support client communications during audits and mentor junior auditors.
11. Coordinate with registries during project reviews, appeals, and credit issuance.

Required Qualifications

1. 7+ years of experience in forestry, forest carbon project development, or carbon offset auditing, focusing on nature-based solutions.
2. Experience leading or supporting validation and verification audits under voluntary standards like Verra, ACR, CAR, Gold Standard, Puro.earth, Isometric.
3. Strong understanding of carbon accounting principles, including baseline development, leakage, permanence, and additionality.
4. Hands-on experience with forest growth models and GIS/remote sensing tools.
5. Ability to review PDDs, monitoring reports, and carbon models.
6. Excellent communication skills for client interaction and reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Advanced degree in Forestry, Ecology, or related fields.
2. Qualifications under ISO standards for GHG verification.
3. Experience as a Lead Auditor with an accredited VVB.
4. Familiarity with digital MRV systems and emerging monitoring technologies.
5. Experience with registry processes and jurisdictional REDD+ frameworks.
6. Technical writing experience for audit reports and non-conformance documentation.

EcoEngineers values diversity and encourages individuals from all backgrounds to apply. Join our team and make a meaningful impact on the environment.