World Resource Institute is hiring a
This position is remote-eligible and only for consideration within the United States where WRI is state registered. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.
About the Program:
The World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Forest Program works with governments, businesses, and civil society to sustain forests for future generations. We aim to curb deforestation worldwide and help restore and reforest already-cleared land. With these goals in mind, the Global Forest Watch (GFW) initiative makes the best available data for monitoring forests accessible online. By harnessing cutting-edge technology, GFW allows anyone to access near real-time information about where and how forests are changing around the world. www.globalforestwatch.org Land & Carbon Lab Land & Carbon Lab (LCL) is WRI’s premier hub for geospatial data, analysis, and monitoring of the world’s land and its natural ecosystems. Our data and monitoring solutions, which include the Global Forest Watch platform, exist to help accelerate implementation and financing of nature-based solutions worldwide. LCL has three main offers: (1) innovation in open geospatial data for land and carbon monitoring, (2) spatial intelligence to support nature-based solutions policy and target tracking, and (3) tailored tools that help businesses, governments, civil society organizations, and local communities make data-driven decisions. LCL collaborates across WRI and WRI’s network of external partners to transform big geospatial data into action and influence. www.landcarbonlab.org GFW and LCL Research As part of GFW and LCL, the shared research team of GIS analysts and researchers collaborates with teams throughout WRI, and with external partners, to collect and analyze data and produce meaningful insights for day-to-day users, local governments, and other partners. The research team conducts research on the causes and consequences of forest and land use change around the world, generally at large spatial scales with remote sensing-derived products. We analyze existing data and creates new geospatial land-related data sets for inclusion on WRI’s web platforms. Job Highlight:
Within the Global Forest Watch (GFW) and Land & Carbon Lab (LCL) research teams, you will help monitor changes in terrestrial carbon inside and outside forests. You will help promote existing forest carbon monitoring frameworks and expand them to include the entire Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Uses (AFOLU) sector across the entire planet. You will work with teams across WRI and with external organizations, including academics, non-profits, and corporations. You will be supported by researchers and analysts throughout GFW and LCL, and engagement and communications teams. We require you have experience programming with geospatial data, automating tasks, and large-scale analyses. Familiarity with forest carbon monitoring at any scale is also required.
What will you do:
Research and Analysis (70%):
Collaborate with researchers in GFW, LCL, and elsewhere on terrestrial carbon monitoring methods
Assess current state of large-scale terrestrial carbon monitoring, its gaps, and how GFW and LCL can fill those gaps
Review external research to determine its applicability to GFW and LCL research and determine how to incorporate it into GFW and LCL products
Manipulate global spatial datasets, raster data, using cloud computing
Analyze spatial data, including using spatial statistics and timeseries analysis
Take methods from creation to small-scale pilots to operational, global analyses
Write code and program analyses to automate recurring and/or large-scale GIS analyses
Data Management and GIS Technical Support (20%):
Process, format, and manage datasets for GFW and LCL
Conduct geospatial analyses to QA/QC for GFW and LCL platforms, the GFW API, and associated web tools through collaboration with the GFW engineering team
Provide data analysis support to GFW and LCL users
Identify new datasets relevant to terrestrial carbon monitoring, in the context of identified thematic and geographic research priorities
Outreach and Communication (10%):
Become knowledgeable about GFW and LCL’s geospatial carbon data and present it to diverse audiences
Field and respond to GIS-related technical inquiries from GFW and LCL users and the media
Write technical publications to document geospatial analysis methods
Communicate about GFW and LCL data and analytical content to non-technical audiences, including through blog posts
What will you need:
Education: You have completed a Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Environmental Science, Geography, Forest Ecology, or another related field
Experience: You have 3+ years full-time relevant work experience using GIS
Demonstrated experience independently developing GIS methods and delivering analytical products
Expertise in GIS software, including ArcGIS Desktop 10.x, ArcGIS Pro, and/or QGIS
Programming experience using Python, R, SQL, and/or other analysis tools to automate workflows, including large volumes of data
Experience with both raster- and vector-based GIS analyses, including complex datasets
Experience with giving presentations and explaining technical topics to non-technical audiences
Experience with writing, including the development of methodology and guidance documents
Experience with methods and datasets related to monitoring carbon in forests
Languages: English required, with Spanish, French, Portuguese or Bahasa Indonesia a plus
Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.
Potential salary:
The salary range for this position is 83,000 to 93,000 USD. Salary is determined by experience and other compensable factors.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with cover letter by March 10th, 2023. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
What we offer:
About Us:
Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.
The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.
Our mission and values:
WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.
Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.
Our culture:
WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.
Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.