Certification Manager (Management & Executives)

  American Forest Foundation (http://www.forestfoundation.org)

  Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Overview

The American Forest Foundation (AFF) seeks ambitious, smart, and highly motivated candidates for its Certification Manager position. AFF is a national non-profit conservation organization that works with a diversity of partners, including local and state public agencies, conservation organizations, industry and other organizations to deliver a range of on-the-ground impacts. The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) is a signature program of AFF that utilizes third-party certification as a tool to advance stewardship on family woodlands.

The Certification Manager supports the Sr. Director, Certification, to ensure a credible and growing third-party certification system for family and small-scale woodlands in the United States.  Working with a network of volunteers and partners in 44 states, the Certification Manager coordinates and implements technical elements of the ATFS Certification Program. This includes primary responsibility for management of AFF’s regional third-party certificates, ATFS Inspector Training program content, the ATFS Independently Management Group (IMG) certification program and the implementation of growth initiatives.

Salary is commensurate with experience and it is combined with an attractive benefits package.  Location is flexible within the United States.

 

Essential Responsibilities: 

• Manage all audit processes to include:  serving as the primary liaison between the auditing firm and state committees; leading negotiations with the auditing firm; developing and implementing corrective action plans in response to audit findings; and coordinating all logistics associated with the audit process and stakeholders 
• Develop and implement strategies with state committees, in partnership with Network staff, to enhance the credibility, efficiency, and performance of ATFS certification
• Manage and implement internal monitoring process to include sample generation, distribution, data entry, internal monitoring, tracking state progress, and volunteer support
• Engage and coordinate with key stakeholders to grow ATFS certification through group certification and other means, as appropriate
• Support the Senior Director, Certification with ATFS-PEFC endorsement, standards development, and implementation of ATFS certification priorities
• Develop reports for internal and external stakeholders as needed
• Partner with Manager, Volunteer Capacity to develop and implement the strategy for engaging, training, and retaining ATFS inspecting foresters
• Respond to inquiries and requests for assistance from state committees, IMG Managers, and partners related to certification, providing both technical assistance and interpretation as appropriate
• Support Senior Director ATFS Certification in staffing the Certification Committee and other governing bodies as needed
• In conjunction with Senior Director, manage and administer certification related program budgets
• Other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications

At least 3 years’ related experience required:

• Experience managing programs
• Demonstrated ability to successfully implement program initiatives
• Experience managing program budgets
• Experience working effectively with volunteers and staff
• Working knowledge of forest certification systems and auditing practices
• Advanced knowledge of forest ecosystems
• Ability to successfully develop and implement complex program strategies
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders with the ability to build relationships, integrate perspectives, and communicate effectively
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability write persuasively and translate technical issues into clear and understandable language
• Experience developing and delivering clear and effective public presentations

 

Required Personal Attributes

• A commitment to AFF’s mission with a passion for forests and conservation
• Both personable and flexible with the ability to work under pressure and adapt based on what is learned through experience
  • A sound work ethic with the ability to act both independently and as part of a team
  • Strong initiative; a self-starter with tenacity, resilience, and high energy
  • Ability to thrive in a collaborative environment
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a wide variety of constituencies, including co-workers, business and community leaders, partners, donors, board members, volunteers, public officials, and the public at large, in a wide variety of settings
    • A client service orientation
    • Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to effectively plan and problem solve
    • Results-oriented with a keen understanding of the steps necessary to achieve goals on deadline and within budget
      • Time management skills, with the ability to prioritize, coordinate and manage multiple priorities
      • Ability and willingness to travel as needed

 

Education/Experience

A Bachelor’s degree forestry or other related natural resource field from an accredited college or university and three year’s work experience in a related field. 

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