The GIS Specialist will develop geospatial datasets, automate analysis workflows, produce cartographic reports, and support carbon project documentation efforts for compliance.
Job Mission
As a GIS specialist at Terraformation, you will play a central role in the delivery of rigorous, audit-ready carbon projects across our international restoration portfolio. Working closely with our GIS, Carbon Science, and Restoration Ecology teams, you will translate complex geospatial data into compliant carbon project documentation, beautiful cartographic reports, and robust geospatial workflows that meet the highest standards of the voluntary carbon market. Your work will directly support validated carbon projects, ensuring our geodata, methodologies, and deliverables are defensible, traceable, and implementation-ready. You will be the primary geospatial contact for our international partners, supporting project design, monitoring and verification workflows using cutting-edge satellite data and spatial analysis techniques. Join our team and help reforest the planet!
Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 (depending on location and experience), plus equity and benefits
Location: US (East Coast preferred)
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain audit-ready geospatial datasets and documentation in support of carbon project validation and verification
- Produce high-quality cartographic outputs and map products for carbon project reports, monitoring plans, and stakeholder presentations
- Perform land suitability assessments of new projects using remote sensing, including drone and LiDAR inputs
- Develop, document, and maintain automated spatial analysis workflows in Python (or R) and Google Earth Engine for forest monitoring, eligibility assessments, and performance tracking
- Maintain, organize, analyze, and visualize data using ArcGIS Pro - including advanced symbology and layout tools for print-ready cartographic outputs
- Collaborate with and make recommendations to our team of scientists and project managers to ensure geospatial deliverables meet methodology requirements, for example VM0033 and VM0047
- Work with partners to map their projects, including drone mapping support when needed
- Draft and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for recurring GIS workflows, ensuring reproducibility and consistency across projects and team members
- Support field teams with data necessary, occasional site visits may be required
Minimum Qualifications
- Demonstrable experience with voluntary carbon market (VCM) projects, including familiarity with Verra VCS standards and at least one of: VM0033, VM0047, or equivalent AFOLU methodology
- 3+ years of experience with the Esri or QGIS suite of tools, with a focus on design and cartographic production
- Proficiency in Python or R for geospatial automation, data processing, and analysis
- Experience in Google Earth Engine for large-scale remote sensing analysis
- Proficient in using AI-augmented development tools (e.g., Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot) to accelerate GIS workflows, improve documentation quality, and extend analytical scope.
- On-the-ground experience in forestry or restoration work
- Basic working proficiency in PostgreSQL/PostGIS
- Experience with Google Suite tools
- Strong written and verbal communication in English
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience with VM0047 and/or VM0033 carbon methodology implementation
- Experience preparing geospatial data packages for third-party audits or VVB (Validation/Verification Body) review
- Bachelors degree or higher in GIS, Environmental Sciences, Forestry, or related field
- Fluency in an additional language beyond English, e.g. French, Tagalog, Spanish
- Experience with the latest geospatial and related industries dataset, processes, and tools, e.g. machine learning, embeddings
About Terraformation
Terraformation is committed to addressing climate change through the power of native forest restoration. Our portfolio of high-quality projects is designed to restore forests that will remove high quantities of carbon, renew ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and create sustainable long-term community income and benefits. Our project teams have planted over 5 million biodiverse and native trees, restored nearly 2,000 hectares, and supported 68 forestry projects across 18 countries.
Our innovative approach not only equips local forestry teams with training, technology, and access to capital, but also empowers businesses to be a part of the solution to climate change. By funding our projects, businesses can directly address climate change, meet climate and net zero commitments, and enhance corporate sustainability initiatives.
Terraformation’s mission-driven global team, which includes experts in forestry science, carbon markets, operations management, and project finance, demonstrates how diverse backgrounds drive innovation and create significant impact.
Learn more at terraformation.com
We are an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, where relevant.
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