Remote Sensing Scientist & Geospatial Software Engineer, Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Position: Remote Sensing Scientist & Geospatial Software Engineer, Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
Type: Full-time – Employee or Consultant (depending on location)
Location: Work from home/in US time zones

Company Summary

Founded in 2006, Terra Global is a mission driven company delivering 18 years of passion and persistence for people and the planet. Terra Global's mission is to facilitate financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable landscapes. Terra Global is a global leader in sustainable forest and agriculture program development, land-use greenhouse gas quantification and finance, and providing technical expertise and investment capital to their global client base in a collaborative and innovative manner. Having worked in 30+ countries, Terra Global has designed and supported the implementation of REDD+ and other sustainable landscape programs from the project to national scale.

Position Responsibilities

Terra Global is seeking a full-time Remote Sensing Scientist and Geospatial Software Engineer to join a multidisciplinary, global team. The right candidate brings expertise in the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) sector (see further requirements below).This position is for someone who is energized by solving problems using location-based data and takes pride in developing solutions that will drive climate finance to communities and governments for sustainable landscape management. The position requires understanding both GIS/RS and driving the innovation to leverage local knowledge with global data sets. The position requires working closely with a technical team and collaboratively with team members with diverse skill sets.
The position will be responsible for:

• Executing the workflow of remote sensing analysis (data acquisition, re-projection, geometric correction, radiometric correction, classification, and map production).
• Collecting, generating and managing spatial data at project, regional and global scales.
• Collecting imagery and data to perform land cover classification.
• Performing landcover classification and post classification processes.
• Running and improving the existing Python code to manipulate large raster datasets.
• Executing land-use change modeling and GHG accounting at site-based and jurisdictional scales.
• Contribute to developing biomass calculations associated with land-use change.
• Conducting spatial analyses and producing maps to meet reporting requirements, with a particular focus on the new consolidated REDD methodology and JNR.
• Creating new GIS tools to improve internal processes.
• Work closely with project managers to review spatial data received from partners.
• Reviewing technical aspects of AFOLU GHG projects and programs and provide guidance to project developers regarding project typology, eligible methodologies and mechanics of carbon monitoring, reporting and verification.
• Contribute to creation and review of carbon feasibility studies, Project Documents and Monitoring and Implementation Reports including background research and creation of content.
• Visiting project sites in developing countries, for data gathering and sharing, mapping and collecting ground-truthing data.

Essential Skills and Qualifications
A minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive, relevant GIS/RS experience in applications that involve forestry, agriculture and/or land-use change analysis in developing countries. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Forestry, Geography, Remote Sensing/Geospatial Science or related field, or equivalent experience is required.
The candidate’s required skills are:

• Technical Skills

• Expertise in Nature-based Solutions (NbS), including an understanding of the verification and validation of emissions reductions and removals credits (e.g., methodologies, process) and technical GHG protocol aspects.
• In-depth understanding of ESRI ArcGIS platform, including ArcGIS Desktop/Pro, Server, Enterprise/Portal, and Image Server.
• Knowledge of open-source geospatial solutions like QGIS and Google Earth Engine.
• Knowledge of acquisition, management, interpretation, and exploitation of remote sensing data including spaceborne, airborne, and UAV data and imagery, mosaics, and LiDAR
• In-depth technical knowledge and skills including geo-database design and spatial relationships.
• Technical knowledge and skills performing land use and land cover change maps using different sources of satellite imageries including multispectral imagery and radar data.
• Good understanding of Python, including GDAL package and JavaScript.
• Fluency with the MS Office suite, including formatting in Word and advanced Excel skills.

• Other Skills

• Passion/persistence to work as a team-player and contribute to a company dedicated to Nature-based Solutions (NbS) program approaches.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills: Verbal, written, and presentational.
• High-level attention to detail.
• Proactive and positive attitude; strong willingness to contribute effectively and positively to a multidisciplinary, global private company.
• Highly motivated to meet corporate and personal/professional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), as assigned annually.
• Knowledge and strong understanding of machine learning packages.
• Knowledge of public cloud services (AWS) and CI/CD tools.
• Thorough understanding of (geo-)statistics and data extraction and analysis.
• Experience with GHG market standards, guidelines and protocols.
• Actively working to learn new skills in order to stay ahead of with changing technologies and industry trends and shares knowledge proactively with others.
• Able to apply business knowledge to develop and deliver innovative, beneficial improvements.
• Excellent collaboration skills, required both in-person and fully remote.
• Demonstrable ability to operate and effectively communicate while under pressure, as well as the ability to lead a diverse workload and work under time constraints.
• This position requires occasional travel up to 20%.
• Skilled in communicating technical topics to non-technical audiences.
• Possess either English or Spanish writing and speaking skills, English understanding is required.
• Experience working in an international environment, specifically in developing countries.

What We Offer

• “18 Years of Passion and Persistence for People and the Planet”: work for a successful, mission driven social enterprise that is an industry leader in facilitating financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable landscapes in developing countries and emerging economies
• Professional Growth: thrive on the opportunity to learn through training and development with dedicated professionals working from different countries around the world
• Collaboration: join a great team atmosphere and a corporate culture based on mutual respect, partnerships, flat reporting structures and the opportunity to work from home.

Compensation

$68k - $100k base per year for US based staff , commensurate with qualifications and home working location.