Lead Ecologist: Infrastructure & Biodiversity

Jacobs; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined company contribution pension

Life assurance

Income protection

Professional development support

Community volunteering & charitable基金

Job summary

Jacobs Ireland is seeking a driven Principal Ecologist to lead ecological inputs for major infrastructure projects and provide strategic ecological guidance to clients and project teams. The role emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, regulatory insight, and mentoring of junior staff across Ireland’s evolving infrastructure landscape.

You will shape environmental assessments, liaise with regulators and clients, and help deliver high-quality ecological outcomes on landmark projects in

Qualifications

• A background in terrestrial ecology with an extensive number of years’ relevant industry experience.
• A degree in ecology or a related environmental discipline with extensive industry experience
• Chartered membership of an appropriate professional body (or eligibility and commitment to achieving chartership)
• Strong technical expertise across ecology, environmental assessment and regulatory frameworks
• Excellent communication and client facing skills, with the ability to influence, advise and lead
• Experience managing complex projects and contributing to business development, proposals or work-winning activities
• A collaborative mindset and passion for advancing high-quality ecological outcomes across Ireland’s growing infrastructure landscape

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to ecological inputs for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Appropriate Assessments (AA)
• Provide strategic ecological advice as a trusted technical lead for clients, project teams and stakeholders
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, ensuring ecological considerations are integrated into project design and decision-making
• Build strong relationships with internal and external clients, environmental regulators and stakeholders to support future work pipelines
• Represent Jacobs through participation in professional networks, conferences, client meetings and knowledge sharing events
• Mentor, support and guide junior team members, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration

Skills

Ecology expertise

Client facing

Project leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Degree in ecology

Chartered membership

Job description

Jacobs Ireland is seeking a driven Principal Ecologist to lead ecological inputs for major infrastructure projects and provide strategic ecological guidance to clients and project teams. The role emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, regulatory insight, and mentoring of junior staff across Ireland’s evolving infrastructure landscape.

You will shape environmental assessments, liaise with regulators and clients, and help deliver high-quality ecological outcomes on landmark projects in