Senior Ecologist

RSK Ireland Ltd.; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

CPD support

Life assurance

Pension scheme

Professional bodies membership

Career training

Flexible benefits

Job summary

RSK Ireland is seeking a Senior Ecologist to join our growing ecology team in Belfast. This permanent, full-time role is hybrid with the option to work from home and in the office.

You will lead survey work and support national planning through biodiversity assessment and project management, working on Ireland-wide and local projects with opportunities for mentoring and professional development.

Qualifications

• Degree in ecology, zoology, biology, or environmental science.
• 7+ years of experience or proven, previous experience in a similar role.
• Full driving licence with access to your own vehicle.
• Membership of CIEEM – level commensurate with experience.
• Desire and ability to work well within a team, and mentor junior colleagues.
• Pro-active attitude to managing your own time, finding solutions and ensuring that work is delivered on time and to the required standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage medium/large projects and tenders from inception to finalisation.
• Manage project finance, resource allocation, sub-contractors, risk and quality assurance, ensuring timely delivery.
• Mentor junior members and coordinate ecology surveyors.
• Develop team in ecology disciplines (ornithology, bats, freshwater, marine, etc.).
• Produce high-quality data analyses and technical reports.
• Provide solid technical advice to clients and support business development.

Skills

Time management

Team player

Problem solving

Education

Degree in ecology, zoology, biology, or environmental science

CIEEM membership

Job description

The Vacancy

RSK Ireland part of RSK Group, are recruiting for a driven and passionate Senior Ecologist to join our growing ecology team. This is a permanent full-time position in Belfast. This role will be hybrid, with the flexibility to work between home site/office. We are looking for an ambitious candidate who has a passion for their discipline and is seeking to develop a career within a dynamic and rewarding business. As a Senior Ecologist at RSK Ireland you can expect to lead survey work and support national planning efforts through biodiversity assessment and project management, of various Ireland wide and local projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• A Senior ecologist is responsible for managing and overseeing medium/large projects and tenders from inception to finalisation.
• Managing project finance, resource allocation, managing sub-contractors, risk and quality assurance, ensuring timely delivery and effective communication, and seeking and responding to client feedback.
• Managing and mentoring junior members of the team and coordinating ecology surveyors for their own projects.
• Work toward developing a team in their own ecology discipline, ornithology, bats, freshwater ecology, marine, etc.
• Continued professional development, attending conferences, training events, etc.
• Excellent working knowledge and experience of ecology, legislation, and survey techniques, including protected species surveys and mitigation.
• Strong ability to scope survey requirements and design, co-ordinating and undertaking fieldwork for ecological impact assessments and protected species surveys, including; preliminary ecological appraisal, EcIA, AA Screening Report, Natura Impact Statements and biodiversity management plans.
• Excellent written communication skills and be able to produce accurate technical reports to a professional standard.
• Writing of high-quality data analysis and technical reports.
• Technical review of ecological reports prepared by colleagues.
• Assisting with business development by assisting with quotation preparation and ensuring good client relationships.
• Working alone and with our existing ecologists in the wider region to ensure quality projects are delivered on time to our clients.
• Being to point of contact in relation to ecology to our clients and providing solid technical advice.
• Completing fieldwork, including out-of-hours surveys, travelling and working away from home as required.
• Ensuring good communication and collaboration within ecology team, including; liaising with senior ecologists, and mentoring of junior team members.
• Project specific desk-top research and keeping self and other team members up-to-date with relevant industry guidelines and emerging science.
• Acting at all times with professional integrity, and exercising sound professional judgement.

Person Specification (essential):

• A degree in ecology, zoology, biology, or environmental science.
• Ideally 7 years plus specific relevant experience or proven, previous experience in a similar role.
• A full driving licence with access to your own vehicle.
• Membership of CIEEM – level commensurate with experience.
• Desire and ability to work well within a team, and mentor junior colleagues.
• A pro-active attitude to managing your own time, finding solutions and ensuring that work is delivered on time and to the required standards.

Salary and Benefits:

• Competitive salary aligned with experience.
• Hybrid working and flexible hours.
• Leadership mentoring and promotion track.
• Annual CPD support.
• Company paid life assurance.
• Contributed pension scheme.
• Paid membership for professional bodies.
• Regular career training and development.
• A flexible benefits programme.

#RSKIreland #Ecology #SeniorEcologist

The Company

RSK is a global leader in sustainable solutions focusing on environmental, engineering, and technical services. Working together, we address societal challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, offering integrated solutions across sectors such as water, energy, food, infrastructure, cities, mining, and waste management. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company. By providing workplace adjustments, we make it easier for people to confidently explore and pursue our career opportunities and recognise that flexibility is key to fostering a dynamic and thriving workplace. Many of our office-based positions benefit from a flexible working arrangement, allowing our team members to achieve a balance between professional and personal commitments. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, neurotypes, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities. Since the beginning, our philosophy remains the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel. If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all. Do you have what it turns?