Reforestation Carbon Program Manager - Southern Region

Ridgeland, MS

The Southern Region of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) is seeking an experienced restoration ecologist, forester, mitigation specialist, or natural resource professional to identify, plan and implement high-caliber reforestation carbon programs through the voluntary carbon market to provide climate mitigation and support water quality, flood reduction, and wildlife habitat goals in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) of DU’s Southern Region (SRO).

We seek a highly motivated individual with excellent project management skills to lead a team of DU’s Southern Regional biologists, engineers, real estate specialists, GIS technicians, and other professionals working with private landowners and partners to identify and develop opportunities to restore bottomland hardwood forests in the MAV. The successful candidate will be responsible for the management and growth of DU’s new reforestation carbon program, Flyway Forests, by coordinating internally across DU departments and externally with project partners and private landowners.

The successful candidate will be expected to lead landowner outreach and manage the Flyway Forests program. Flyway Forests program delivery entails marketing and outreach, an extensive and iterative enrollment process, site prep, tree planting, conservation easements, and performance monitoring. This candidate will understand the voluntary carbon market reforestation methodologies enough to determine good candidate sites and explain the requirements to landowners. They will create partnerships with enrollment partners, engage directly in landowner outreach, participate in site selection, and oversee the execution of purchase agreements. They will be responsible for leading diligence activities in coordination with DU lands program staff and contractors. They will direct the planning, procurement, implementation, and oversight of restoration activities (including site preparation and tree planting). After tree planting, this candidate will coordinate conservation easement closing with regional and national DU lands program staff. This role requires exceptional project management skills and attention to detail to ensure workstreams are efficient as well as documented for carbon registry compliance.

An essential function of this job is building trust with private landowners and program partners (including investors, real estate brokers, and public agencies) through transparency, responsiveness, and high-quality work. This position requires exceptional interpersonal skills and attention to detail to ensure consistency across voluntary carbon market methodology requirements, DU conservation easements, and project activities. The successful applicant will build on a 3,500-acre pilot and help scale the Flyway Forests strategic plan to enroll up to 20,000 acres by 2030 by tapping into existing and emerging environmental markets (e.g., carbon, water, and biodiversity).

Education, Experience, and Responsibilities:

We seek a highly motivated, self-starter capable of working independently and with a team of dedicated conservation professionals to develop innovative conservation approaches to challenging landscape-scale conservation issues. The successful candidate will have a minimum of a B.S. in Wetland Ecology, Forestry, Natural Resource Economics, or a related field, a minimum of 10 years of related experience is desired (graduate degree can be substituted for experience) focused on ecological restoration, environmental markets, and/or program development. This candidate will possess the ability to develop and/or synthesize scientific information, and communicate science-based information to fundraising, marketing and public policy staff. Demonstrated ability to manage an interdisciplinary team through leading by example is a plus.

This position will report to the Director of Conservation Programs - MAV for DU’s Southern Region and the Carbon Program Manager for the National Science Team.

This position will be located at DU’s Southern Regional Office located in Ridgeland, MS.

Benefits: We work hard to encourage everyone at Ducks Unlimited to bring their authentic selves to work every day. DU offers an exceptional benefits package that includes comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; paid vacation; paid sick leave and 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.

To Apply: Please fill out all application materials and attach a resume, cover letter and three references.

DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information, except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

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Reforestation Carbon Program Manager