Principal/Associate Ecologist

Ramboll; Swords; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave plus bank‑hols

Matched pension contributions

Private medical cover and life risk

Job summary

Ramboll in the United Kingdom and Ireland is seeking a Principal/Associate Ecologist to join the Terrestrial Ecology Department within the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Line. You will work on projects ranging from transport infrastructure to renewable energy and data centre developments, delivering expertise across the environmental consultancy portfolio.

You will join a dynamic team, contribute to project delivery, develop your skills, and benefit from Ramboll’s supportive culture,

Qualifications

• Proficient in ecology field surveys and reports.
• Experience with environmental impact assessments and ecological mitigation.
• Knowledge of relevant environmental legislation in Ireland/NI.

Responsibilities

• Manage ecology projects for large-scale transport and development schemes.
• Act as main point of contact with clients, managers, and sub-consultants.
• Plan and conduct ecological surveys and prepare high-quality reports (habitat and species).
• Deliver ecological mitigation design and liaise with regulators and planning authorities.
• Supervise junior ecologists and manage project budgets and timelines.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Outlook

ArcGIS

Field survey techniques

Written & spoken English

Ecology licences (bats)

Driving licence

Education

BSc in Ecology or related field

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Field survey equipment

Job description

Are you driven by a passion for the environment and a desire to make a lasting impact? Do you enjoy working on a variety of projects that contribute to sustainable development? Are you motivated by joining a global company with a reputation for excellence and innovation? If this sounds like you, or you’re curious to learn more, then this role could be the perfect opportunity. Join our Environment and Health division as our new Principal/Associate Ecologist and work with us to close the gap to a sustainable future.

Your new role

As our new Principal/Associate Ecologist, you will be part of our Terrestrial Ecology Department in the Biodiversity and Ecosystems Service Line within the Environment and Health division. You will work on projects ranging from transport infrastructure to commercial and residential development, as well as renewable energy and data centre projects. You will join a dynamic and expanding team delivering key projects and further developing a variety of skills within the environmental consultancy sector. Joining Ramboll offers you the opportunity to contribute positively to the business and build a successful career in an open, collaborative, and empowering culture.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Managing ecology projects with input on ecology to large scale projects such as transport infrastructure projects with the support of the ecology team leads
• Main point of contact with Ramboll project managers, clients, partner organisations, and sub-consultants in Ireland
• Planning and undertaking ecological surveys or clerk of work programmes and producing high-quality reports including habitat (e.g., Preliminary Ecological Appraisal) and species surveys
• Undertaking ecological mitigation design and delivery
• Liaising with ecological regulators and planning authorities
• Delivering technical work on complex projects
• Fee proposal preparation and assisting with client relationship management
• Supervision and management of more junior ecologists.
• Effective resource planning and management within a multi-disciplinary consultancy environment; maintaining relationships with subconsultants to support the team
• Reviewing reports including precautionary methods of work and species licence applications
• Delivering projects on time and managing them to budget

In addition to the above, at Associate gradethe role will involve:

• Managing delivery of, and reviewing reports including EIA chapters and NIS
• Delivering large and complex projects on time and managing them to budget
• Business development and client relationship management

About you

• Proficient user of MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook (and ideally ArcGIS)
• Familiar with digital data capture techniques in ecology fieldwork
• Experienced in fieldwork and application of survey techniques in accordance with best practice guidance
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English to a range of audiences
• Capable of producing clear and concise written documents for a range of purposes
• Hold one or more protected species survey licences (ideally bats) and ideally with experience of holding or implementing development licences
• Good knowledge of relevant environmental/ecology legislation
• An understanding of the planning systems in Ireland and Northern Ireland in relation to development, and the integration of ecology
• Full clean driving licence, willingness to undertake surveys at unsociable hours (e.g., bats, newts), and flexibility to allow occasional working away from home
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, preferably CEnv or CEcol.

What we can offer you

• Commitment to your development
• Leaders guided by our Leadership Principles
• A culture that welcomes you as the unique person you are
• Inspiration from colleagues, clients, and projects
• The long-term thinking of a foundation-owned company
• Flexible work environment
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Matched pension contributions
• Private medical cover and life assurance

Work at the heart of sustainable change with Ramboll in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Ramboll is a global architecture, engineering, and consultancy company. As a foundation-owned people company, founded in Denmark, we believe that the purpose of sustainable change is to create a thriving world for both nature and people. So, that’s where we start – and how we work. Our history is rooted in a clear vision of how a responsible company should act, and being open and curious is a cornerstone of our culture. Ramboll in the United Kingdom and Ireland has a proven track record of sustainable and responsible business and is a top ten engineering and environmental consultancy in the UK, with more than 1,500 employees across 17 offices. Ramboll experts deliver innovative solutions across Buildings, Transport, Environment & Health, and Energy. In 2024, Ramboll was included in the Sunday Times’ list of Best Places to Work.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. At Ramboll, we believe that diversity is a strength and that different experiences and perspectives are essential to creating truly sustainable societies. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone is able to flourish and reach their full potential. We also know how important it is to achieve the right balance of where, when, and how much you work. As a company, Ramboll recognises the importance of having a good work/life balance, both in terms of individual well-being and its positive impact with respect to the engagement and retention of our employees. We aim to support all employees to achieve a work/life balance which enables them to work in a supported manner while having the time to achieve personal aspects of their life outside of work. We invite applications from candidates of all backgrounds and characteristics. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, Ramboll ensures opportunities are accessible to candidates with disabilities. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to the application process to make it more comfortable for you. You can contact us at [e-mail] with such requests.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.