Environmental Project Specialist: Industrial Biochar

Title :Environmental Project Specialist: Industrial Biochar & NBS Projects (Verra, Gold Standard, Puro Earth, Isometric) PDD Specialist ( ESG please not Apply ) I. Job Summary The Environmental Project Specialist will be responsible for the technical development, validation, and ongoing management of high-integrity carbon projects focusing on industrial biochar production and diverse Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). This role requires deep expertise in carbon project methodologies (e.g., ARR, AWD, biocha r), product life cycle assessment (LCA), and navigating the requirements of major carbon standards (Verra, Gold Standard, Puro Earth,Isometric ) and emerging monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) platforms . The specialist will drive the translation of project concepts into creditable, verified carbon assets. II. Key Responsibilities A. Carbon Project Development & Validation * Methodology & Protocol Application: Lead the selection, interpretation, and application of appropriate carbon accounting methodologies for biochar, ARR, AWD, and mangrove projects. * Project Document Design: Develop and manage all necessary project documentation, including Project Design Documents (PDDs), Monitoring Plans, and Stakeholder Consultation Reports, ensuring full compliance with chosen standards (Verra, Gold Standard, Puro Earth,Isometric ). * Validation & Verification: Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external Validation/Verification Bodies (VVBs). Manage the validation process, coordinate site visits (as needed), and resolve all VVB findings and clarifications efficiently to achieve successful project registration and issuance. * Risk Assessment: Conduct comprehensive risk assessments (e.g., non-permanence, leakage) and design robust mitigation strategies for both NBS and biochar projects. B. Product Design & Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) * Biochar Product Integrity: Design and validate the industrial biochar production process (from feedstock to final sequestration/use) to meet the permanence and sustainability criteria of carbon standards, especially Puro Earth and isometric. * LCA Modeling: Execute detailed Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and carbon footprinting for biochar production and specific NBS interventions to accurately quantify net carbon removals/reductions, including emissions from operations, transport, and ancillary activities. * Data Management: Establish rigorous data collection and quality assurance/quality control procedures for all LCA and project activity data. C. Standard Compliance & Technology * Standard Expertise: Maintain expert-level knowledge of the rules, requirements, and market updates for Verra (VCS, CCB), Gold Standard,isometric and Puro Earth. * MRV Integration: Design project monitoring and reporting systems compatible with advanced MRV platforms like carbon future focusing on data transparency, traceability, and automated reporting. * Regulatory Monitoring: Track emerging carbon market legislation, evolving standard requirements, and new methodologies relevant to industrial carbon removal and NBS. D. Project Management & Reporting * Timeline Management: Manage multiple project development timelines concurrently, ensuring on-budget and on-time delivery of project milestones (e.g., PDD submission, VVB engagement). * Monitoring & Reporting: Design and implement operational monitoring systems for registered projects, prepare annual monitoring reports, and manage subsequent verification cycles. * Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, operations, finance, and external consultants (e.g., project developers, VVB partners, local communities for NBS) to ensure project success. Qualifications A. Education & Experience * Required: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Carbon Management, or a related quantitative field. * Required: Minimum of 3+ years of professional experience in developing, validating, or verifying GHG mitigation or carbon removal projects. * Required: Proven, hands-on experience in developing PDDs under puro earth ,Isometric,Verra (VCS) ,Gold Standard. * Highly Preferred: Direct experience with industrial biochar projects, the Puro Earth & isometric standard, and/or specific NBS methodologies (ARR, AWD, Mangrove restoration). * Preferred: Experience conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) using established software or methodologies (e.g., ISO 14040/14044). B. Technical Skills * Carbon Accounting: Expert proficiency in carbon accounting principles, additionality demonstration, baseline setting, and leakage assessment. * Data Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets for complex data analysis, mass balance calculations, and financial modeling. * GIS/Remote Sensing: Familiarity with GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) and remote sensing data for NBS project boundaries, land-use change analysis, and monitoring. * GHG Protocols: Solid understanding of the IPCC guidelines and relevant GHG Protocol corporate standards. C. Core Competencies * Analytical Rigor: Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to technical accuracy and defensibility. * Problem-Solving: Ability to creatively solve complex technical and methodological challenges inherent in novel carbon projects. * Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting, VVB engagement, and stakeholder collaboration. * Project Ownership: High degree of self-motivation, organization, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.