Senior Ecologist

TOBIN, an AtkinsRéalis Company, are currently seeking a Senior Ecologist, to join the growing Ecology Team within the Environment and Planning Division. We also provide the opportunity to avail of Hybrid working in any of our offices located in Galway, Dublin, Sligo, Limerick or Castlebar.

We offer a very competitive salary to the ideal candidate, and we also provide the opportunity to work on nationally recognised projects and studies.

The Ecology Team is driven by qualified and enthusiastic ecologists who maintain a full and varied project load from a broad base of private and public sector clients. Our workstream is generated through well-established nationwide client relationships, as well as internal cross-sectional cooperation with other Engineering Divisions within the company.

To note, following TOBIN's recent acquisition by AtkinsRéalis, TOBIN now operates as TOBIN, an AtkinsRéalis Company. Candidates applying for this position will become part of the wider AtkinsRéalis group, a world-leading engineering and project management company.

The successful candidates must have the ability to work in and lead teams in the collection of field data and in the preparation of the Biodiversity Chapter and/or Ornithology Chapter of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIARs), Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) reports, and Appropriate Assessment (AA, NIS, NIR) reporting for multiple large complex project types. The successful candidate will also be required to demonstrate project experience in the design and implementation of ecological surveys including habitats, botanical, birds, and protected species surveys, analysis of data, and completion of impact assessments.

• The job will involve working with the existing Ecology Team on ecological and environmental aspects of diverse projects including national infrastructure, renewable energy, and private commercial projects.
• Responsibilities will include coordinating, supervising and mentoring other ecologists’ (in-house staff and external sub-contractors) work to ensure safe and efficient delivery of work on time and within budget. The role will require managing work schedules/resourcing, providing assistance, guidance and technical review of other team members’ work and providing on-the-job training and feedback to other staff.
• The selected candidate will be required to provide technical ecological advice and recommendations to clients (including face-to-face meetings) where risks may be posed to a project timescale or delivery, as well as liaising with project managers and other project stakeholders including statutory bodies.
• As a Senior Ecologist, the role will require the provision of ecological input into desktop studies, scoping studies, site selection, site surveys, Ecological Impact Assessments, Appropriate Assessment reporting and overseeing the implementation of construction mitigation measures (Ecological Clerk of Works).
• The role will also require project management tasks including financial management, producing fee proposals, and tendering for work.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of industry changes, best practices, guidelines, legislation and policy, and providing leadership on same to other staff members will also be required.

• Relevant primary degree (Hons.) relating to Ecology / Environmental Biology, additional qualifications preferred.
• At least 7-10 years of environmental consultancy experience and a proven ecological track record.
• Proven ecological field skills.
• Should have experience drafting EIAR chapters, AA Screening and NIS reports.
• Experience in GIS systems (e.g. ArcGIS, desirable but not essential as TOBIN has specialist GIS services in-house).
• CIEEM membership preferred.
• Experience of co-ordinating Ecological Impact Assessments as well as project management and liaising with clients and stakeholders.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills.
• Must be physically fit and be willing and able to undertake fieldwork, as required.
• Full driving licence.