Back Senior Environmental Economist

This position is remote with a preference for California, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona and Utah. 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:

Cities4Forests (https://cities4forests.com/) and the Natural Infrastructure Initiative are cross-programmatic efforts that include WRI’s Land, Water, and Cities programs. Cities4Forests is a global alliance of more than 90 cities, including 20+ cities and counties in the United States, which serve as critical partners in implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) to protect and restore source watersheds.

In the United States, Cities4Forests is working to increase investment in NBS across public and private lands to deliver key outcomes, such as improved water security, reduced wildfire risk, and enhanced infrastructure resilience for utilities, companies, and communities. These programs also produce several co-benefits such as biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and enhanced livelihoods. By engaging critical stakeholders, we pioneer pathways to integrate natural “green” and traditional “gray” infrastructure systems to achieve cost-effective, resilient, and high-quality services to keep communities safe and healthy.

Our team of conservation, forestry, finance, and water resource experts collaborate on 20+ projects across 10 states and multiple US Forest Service (USFS) regions. We work closely with key decision-makers, including utilities, public and private land managers, corporations, communities, tribes, investors, and local and national governments, to finance natural infrastructure, pilot innovative projects, and replicate successful approaches. Our decade-long partnership with US Forest Service in particular, helps to accelerate much of this targeted work, particularly in the highly vulnerable Western U.S.

We advance this work by focusing on creating and enhancing policies, plans, and strategies; unlocking blended forms of finance; driving on-the-ground project implementation; deploying cutting-edge monitoring techniques; and ensuring equitable outcomes for rural and urban populations. Examples of financial instruments we utilize to scale forest health treatments include: Forest Resilience Bonds in California; Certified green bonds in Arkansas; State Revolving Funds in Wyoming; Resilience Funds in Utah; and corporate water stewardship in water stressed regions.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Conservation Finance Manager of Cities4Forests and the Natural Infrastructure Initiative, you will integrate equity into your work. You are specialized in

articulating the business case and economic rationale to drive the adoption, funding, and expansion of nature-based solutions (NBS) in the U.S. You will be responsible for conducting in-depth research and economic analysis of the environmental and ecosystem services resulting from NBS projects, such as forest restoration to reduce wildfire risks and source watershed protection to enhance drinking water supplies.

You will lead the development of cost-benefit models and similar analytical tools to quantify and clearly articulate the return on investment (ROI) for potential funders and financing partners of NBS projects. You will evaluate cost avoidance and revenue generation scenarios for water and electric utilities resulting from proactive investments in forest restoration treatments, the cost-effectiveness of corporate investments in watershed health to address water insecurity, and the economic and social rationale for federal and state agencies to invest in collective action financing approaches to protect communities and infrastructure, increase recreational access, and improve health outcomes.

You will collaborate with other team members, economists, senior management, and external partners. You will have an outstanding economics background, robust analytical and modelling skills, as well as a proven track record of using analysis to influence and drive decision-making. You will have the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners, and a talent for communicating complex analyses and results in a clear and concise manner. You will also have an entrepreneurial spirit and the capability to support a rapidly growing portfolio.

What will you do:

Economic Research and Analysis (75%): -

• Conduct in-depth research and economic analyses of the environmental effects, costs, and benefits of NBS projects, specifically forest restoration and source watershed protection. This may include developing cost-benefit analyses, benefit transfer models, ecosystem service assessments, and carbon market evaluations, among others. This work will largely be focused on NBS projects in the U.S., with the potential to expand to international initiatives in the future
• Work with internal teams and external partners to develop tailored Excel-based cost-benefit models that demonstrate the ROI and economic justification for funding contributions from utilities and other types of beneficiaries
• Complete in-depth literature review of published research to inform and shape decision relevant economic analyses
• Produce and support WRI branded policy-relevant research and analytical outputs (e.g., reports, tools, blogs, presentations, articles, etc.)
• Work with partners to develop project work plans and problem solve when barriers arise
• Track progress and co-lead project reporting both internally and externally as needed

  Outreach and Communication (15%): -

  • Increase the visibility and influence of the program with key stakeholders including local and national governments, utilities, land managers, financial institutions, companies, donors, and conservation partners
  • Represent WRI at events and with external audiences
  • Support and implement project communications strategies
  • Develop communications and marketing materials such as brochures, informational sheets, PowerPoint presentations, and more

    Fundraising and Operations (10%): -

    • Co-lead and support team on fundraising and proposal development.
    • Build and maintain relationships with funding partners and donors
    • Coordinate and support core components of project operations, such as budgeting, project staffing, and developing agreements and contracts
    • Support performance monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting for multiple projects

      What will you need:

      • Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in economics, natural resource economics, or related field. PhD preferred. Relevant work experience in lieu of degree is accepted
      • Experience: You have minimum of 10 years of work experience relevant to nature-based solutions, forestry, or climate resilience economics
      • Proven expertise in nature-based solutions and/or natural resource economics, and track record of delivering on projects that influence external stakeholders and decision making
      • Demonstrated ability to simultaneously support multiple projects engagements, develop robust economic frameworks and models, research projects, and author high-quality publications and write-ups on relevant topics
      • Demonstrated success in fundraising on relevant topics
      • Excellent writing skills. Strong oral communications skills and experience presenting at relevant events
      • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
      • Strong appreciation for delivering on time
      • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with teams of individuals and colleagues at all levels inside and outside the organization
      • Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
      • Ability to work calmly and enthusiastically in a dynamic environment.
      • Ability to think creatively. Highly responsible, and self-motivated.
      • Extremely well-organized and efficient
      • Languages: Verbal and written English proficiency
      • Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

        Potential Salary: Salary range is between 116,000 and 139,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive remuneration and benefits package.

        How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of 31 January 2025. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.

        We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

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