Principal/Associate Ecologist (Ramboll)

Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management; Ireland; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Matched pension contributions

Private medical cover

Job summary

Ramboll in Ireland is seeking a Principal/Associate Ecologist to lead terrestrial ecology projects across infrastructure, development, and energy sectors. You will manage teams, liaise with clients and regulators, and deliver high-quality ecological reports.

The role requires field survey experience, knowledge of Irish planning, licences, and a flexible attitude to travel and unsociable hours; an active CIENV or CEcol membership is preferred.

Qualifications

• Proficient in MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Experience with field surveys and data capture in ecology.
• Ability to produce clear written ecological reports for diverse audiences.
• Good written and spoken English to communicate with clients and regulators.
• Hold protected species licences (ideally bats) and related development licences.

Responsibilities

• Manage ecology projects on large-scale infrastructure and development schemes.
• Be the main point of contact with Ramboll project managers, clients, and sub-consultants in Ireland.
• Plan and conduct ecological surveys and prepare high-quality reports (habitat and species).
• Undertake ecological mitigation design and delivery.
• Liaise with regulators and planning authorities; manage reports within budget and time.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Outlook

English communication

Fieldwork techniques

Report writing

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

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

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