Principal Ecologist

Description:

The ecological and wider environmental demands of the power, renewable energy, water, transport and buildings sectors in Ireland, and beyond, need ecological specialists who can think laterally.

In collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams of other ecologists, working alongside planners, environmental scientists, and engineers, you will be responsible at a project-level for resourcing and overseeing ecological inputs for a variety of multi-disciplinary projects and for a wide range of clients.

The responsibilities will span all stages of project development, from feasibility to construction, and thereby provide opportunities to influence and optimise design, mitigate adverse ecological impact by avoidance, and incorporate no net biodiversity loss and, increasingly, also seek to ensure biodiversity net gain. You will be required, for example, to undertake marine, terrestrial and/or freshwater ecological surveys, such as Ecological Impact Assessment, Preliminary Ecological Appraisal etc., as well as to write reports from these. You will also be required to prepare biodiversity chapters for Environmental Impact Assessments, and Stage I Appropriate Assessment and Stage II Natura Impact Statement under the EU Habitats Directive, among other duties.

Mott MacDonald are committed to sustainable approaches that protect biodiversity and we actively encourage our clients to do the same. We are passionate about providing our clients with sustainable solutions by constantly looking at challenges from a fresh angle in order for us to continue our collaborative client relationships and further grow our environmental capabilities.

This role will suit a dynamic, proactive individual who wants to work in a growth area of our business and help support the delivery of ecological services in a fast moving, client focussed commercial environment.

Candidate Specification

If you think that this could be the job you are looking for, then we would like to hear from you.

What We Need From You As a Principal Ecologist
 

• Minimum of a first degree (BSc) in zoology/biology/ecology or a directly related subject
• At least working towards, if not already holding membership of, or chartered status with, the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) – preferred – or the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) would also suffice.
• Extensive experience of ecological survey and associated reporting in Ireland
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Irish and/or UK ecological consultancy market,
• Strong experience of report writing (AA, NIS, Biodiversity Chapters for EIAR, PEAR, EcIA etc.)[1].
• Experience of managing junior staff
• Project Management experience is desirable
   

We are also looking for you to have any strong combination of some of the following:
 

• An extensive grounding in and understanding of Irish biodiversity conservation legislation including planning processes.
• Demonstrable experience of leading or working on small to medium scale project types, including Energy, Transport, Water and Renewables
• Extensive experience in organising and leading delivery of ecological inputs into small/ medium/ large-scale projects
• Strong experience in field surveys including standard Irish survey methods for habitat survey, protected species, aquatic/ fishery, and ornithology surveys
• The desire encourage innovation and use digital services
• Ability to travel throughout Ireland (if required)
• Attention to detail and the ability to deliver outputs on time and to budget
• Excellent communication skills