Hybrid Senior Ecologist: Lead for Renewable & Infrastructure

Key Talent Solutions; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Key Talent Solutions seeks a Senior Ecologist to lead delivery of ecological contracts across renewable energy, waste management and infrastructure. You will guide surveys, assessments and reporting, ensuring quality and compliance with Irish legislation.

Lead expert witness duties may arise; you will mentor staff, manage budgets, and grow the ecology practice while maintaining strong client relationships and cross‑team collaboration. Hybrid role across Cork/Dublin/Carlow.

Qualifications

• Degree in ecology or a closely related discipline and professional registration.
• 10+ years in environmental consultancy with senior project delivery.
• Membership of CIEEM/CIWEM or comparable body required.
• Experience acting as an expert witness and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Deep knowledge of Irish wildlife and conservation legislation relevant to development.
• Strong report writing and management of AA/NIS/EIAR biodiversity outputs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee ecological contracts from scope through monitoring and delivery.
• Provide senior ecological advice to clients and design teams.
• Plan, conduct and supervise ecological surveys with safety and quality focus.
• Lead or review AA/NIS, EcIA and EIAR biodiversity outputs.
• Prepare and oversee CEMPs, mitigation plans and related commitments.
• Support construction-stage ecology with surveys, licences and audits.
• Produce high-quality technical reports and project deliverables.
• Act as expert witness at hearings and respond to scrutiny.
• Manage budgets, resources, subcontractors and client communications.
• Mentor ecologists and contribute to proposals and tenders.

Skills

Client relationship management

Technical leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Report writing

Project management

Public speaking / expert witness

Education

Degree in ecology

CIEEM/CIWEM membership

Chartered Ecologist or equivalent

Tools

GIS

Job description

Key Talent Solutions seeks a Senior Ecologist to lead delivery of ecological contracts across renewable energy, waste management and infrastructure. You will guide surveys, assessments and reporting, ensuring quality and compliance with Irish legislation.

Lead expert witness duties may arise; you will mentor staff, manage budgets, and grow the ecology practice while maintaining strong client relationships and cross‑team collaboration. Hybrid role across Cork/Dublin/Carlow.