Company Overview
Since 1984, SCS Global Services has been a pioneer and leader in the field of sustainability standards and third-party certification, working across the economy in the natural resources, built environment, food and agriculture, consumer products, and climate sectors. Partnering with companies, government agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders, we are striving to advance sustainable development goals through independent assessment, the application of sound science, and innovative solutions. Through these services, we are enabling decision-makers and purchasers to make informed decisions, giving innovators a competitive edge, and helping to drive the development of leadership standards to create a framework for continuous improvement.

Job Overview

The Technical Specialist is a lead forest management and chain of custody auditor who is responsible for making reliable certification decisions and has a key role in ensuring the credibility and high quality of our third-party certification service. The role entails interpretation and implementation of standards, quality control of audits, prompt and professional customer service, and administrative and technical support to domestic and international field auditors, clients, affiliated offices, and colleagues.

Relevant Standards/Schemes

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
• Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
• Responsible Wood (RW)
• Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP)
• Other services offered by SCS Forestry program

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Technical Duties

• Conduct robust and detailed Forest Management and Chain of Custody audits
• Perform audits in a variety of forest, industrial, and urban settings, at companies such as timber companies, government land managers, sawmills, pellet mills, furniture manufacturers, paper distributors, printers, etc.
• Generate high-quality audit reports, ensuring accurate, detailed, and consistent descriptions of evidence and findings
• Independently, or with teams, assess management practices of organizations related to applicable certification standards
• Be proficient in program and certification requirements, ensuring a pragmatic approach to a wide range of auditing circumstances while maintaining the integrity of the certification scheme (e.g. FSC, PEFC, SFI, etc.)
• Review audit reports from auditors to provide oversight and quality control
• Make decisions to grant, maintain, reduce, expand, suspend, or terminate certification based on evidence of conformance with requirements
• Support ongoing training and evaluation of performance for auditors.
• Consider and implement changes affecting certification (either client or scheme initiated)
• Monitor status of clients’ non-conformances
• Ensure implementation of program procedures and documents
• Perform witness and internal audits where necessary

Client Management

• Coordinate the audit process with clients and stakeholders
• Ensure that clients provide necessary data and information
• Provide high level of customer service throughout the audit process
• Work with clients throughout the year on certification related questions and concerns
• Accurately and consistently track client files and records in relevant folders and databases

Communications

• Communicate regularly with clients and auditors, and international affiliate staff/ auditors, ensuring they are informed of changing policies, procedures, and requirements
• Communicate requirements clearly, effectively, and concisely
• Aid in the development of external communication materials
• Support the development and distribution of the auditor training materials

Program Quality Support

• Support departmental quality program and implement quality initiatives
• Aid in the development of internal procedures and guidelines
• Support monitoring the status of accreditation and internal non-conformances

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, ecology, or a related field
• 5+ years of professional experience in forestry, natural resource management, or related fields
• Complete fluency in English and work experience that involves professional and technical written communication
• Strong organization and prioritization skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Strong customer service and teamwork orientation
• Initiative, good judgment, ability to work independently, responsive and adaptive personality
• Applied experience in auditing and/or quality assurance
• Proficient with business software including Outlook, Word, Excel, and database management
• Ability to work in the US and the ability to travel domestically and internationally for audits as needed up to 50% of the time
• Fluency in Portuguese is required as a language.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluency in additional languages preferred Spanish.
• Qualification as lead Forest Management and Chain of Custody auditor for FSC, SFI, and other relevant services/schemes, e.g. PEFC, SBP
• Licensed or registered forester credential
• The above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

The above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Additional duties outside of normal responsibilities may be required from time to time as assigned.

Working Remotely
SCS is recruiting all open roles to be remote; allowing our employees the ability to work flexibly and allowing SCS as a company to diversify the experience and perspectives of our growing workforce. This is a home-office based role and may include travel with local, domestic, and/or international trips. Details will be clarified during the recruitment process.

Estimated Annual Salary
$60,000 - $75,000

EEOC Statement
SCS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SCS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.