Project Manager (Improved Forest Management) – Indian Land Tenure Foundation, The National Indian Carbon Coalition, St. Paul, MN

PROJECT MANAGER (IMPROVED FOREST MANAGEMENT)

The Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF) is a community-based organization with its headquarters located near St. Paul, Minnesota. Its mission is to ensure that American Indian nations and people own and manage all reservations and important off-reservation lands. The National Indian Carbon Coalition is a program under ILTF dedicated to combating climate change through carbon sequestration initiatives and innovative forest based activities.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Project Manager (Improved Forest Management) will specialize in developing and maintaining relationships with Tribal Nations on nature-based climate solutions and climate, community, and biodiversity (CCB) standard carbon projects. This position will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing activities that build relationships with Tribal Nations for the development of carbon based projects on tribal forest lands and provide support to carbon co- benefit aspects of ongoing projects. The primary focus of this role is to leverage the potential of trees and plants to capture and store carbon dioxide, which in turn contributes to global carbon reduction efforts.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Identification and Design
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop strategies that optimize carbon sequestration. Consider species selection, planting techniques, ecosystem diversity, and long-term maintenance.
• Utilize advanced carbon accounting methodologies to quantify the carbon captured by forest based carbon projects. This includes assessing growth rates, carbon storage capacities, and monitoring carbon fluxes.
Project Implementation and Management
• Implement cutting-edge technologies, such as remote sensing and geospatial tools, to enhance project monitoring, data collection, and analysis. Utilize software tools or collaborate with software engineers to create data visualization and project management platforms.
• Collect and analyze data related to project performance, carbon sequestration rates, and ecosystem health. Prepare regular reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Continuously explore new techniques, technologies, and scientific advancements in forest based and carbon sequestration. Contribute to the development of innovative approaches to enhance project effectiveness.
• Utilize advanced communications and qualitative research methodologies to assess carbon co-benefits of ongoing projects.
• Utilize software tools to create data visualization and project management platforms
• Collect and analyze data related to project performance, specifically community and biodiversity aspects, and prepare regular reports for internal and external stakeholders;
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships
• Collaborate with tribal governmental bodies, NGOs, corporate partners, and tribal communities to establish partnerships that support forest based initiatives. Leverage these partnerships to secure funding, resources, and land access.
• Stay informed about relevant environmental regulations, carbon markets, and certification standards. Ensure that forest based projects adhere to these requirements and can generate verified carbon offsets.
• Work closely with tribal communities to involve them in forest based efforts, provide training, and ensure sustainable forest management practices. Foster relationships that enhance the socio-economic benefits of the projects.

QUALIFICATIONS
• A bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required;
• Demonstrated understanding of tribal governments and communities, values, needs, Indigenous knowledge, and knowledge of tribal treaty rights and federal trust relations
• Experience with qualitative data collection and assessment;
• Prior experience in stakeholder engagement, preferably with Tribal communities, is required;
• Knowledge of carbon sequestration and carbon markets- preferred
• Experience using computers, required, GIS-based programs- preferred;
• Strong oral and written communication skills, especially the ability to articulate relevant climate-related issues and program products and concepts to Tribal communities and non-scientists generally;
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, document, and manage multiple projects;
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a collaborative team member; and;
• Willingness to travel.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?
Remote
Salary: $70,000
Generous benefits include paid PTO, dental and health insurance, and a 401(k) plan.
Submit resume to Bryan Van Stippen, Program Director @ bvanstippen@iltf.org

151 East County Road B2 ● Little Canada, MN 55117-1523 ● 651-766-8999 ● fax 651-766-0012 ● www.iltf.org