Principal Ecologist

i-Recruit; Dublin; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary of EUR 60,000–65,000

Pension up to 5% contribution

29 annual leave days + birthday off

Hybrid/Remote working options

6 sick days per year

5 days CPD training

EUR 250 home office allowance

EUR 300 work clothing allowance

EUR 500 health insurance contribution

Disability benefits: 75% of salary

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy in Dublin seeks a Principal Ecologist with 8-10 years of experience to lead and mentor a team. Responsibilities include delivering ecological services, managing projects, and conducting field assessments. The role offers a salary of EUR 60,000–65,000, hybrid work options, and various benefits including a pension contribution and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years’ experience in ecological consultancy with complex projects.
• Proven technical expertise in ecological field surveying and impact assessment.
• Strong report writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and oversee ecological services across complex projects.
• Conduct and manage ecological field surveys and impact assessments.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to assess ecological impacts.

Skills

Ecological consultancy

Field surveying

Impact assessment

Data interpretation

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Report writing

Liaison with multidisciplinary teams

Job description

Our client is a leading environmental consultancy in Ireland, recognised for delivering innovative, high-quality ecological and environmental solutions across a different sectors. They combine technical excellence with a collaborative culture and a commitment to sustainable development, making them a market leader in ecological consultancy services.

Role Overview

As a Principal Ecologist with 8-10 years’ experience, you will be a natural leader who thrives on mentoring, team development, and fostering a positive culture. You will leverage your technical expertise to provide an exceptional ecology service to clients, maintain high technical standards across projects, and enhance the skills of your team. This senior role involves strategic planning, client liaison, project management, and technical delivery, ensuring outcomes meet client expectations and regulatory requirements. You will play a key role in growing the company’s service offering, strengthening the existing portfolio, and reinforcing its reputation as a trusted market leader.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver and oversee ecological services across complex projects, including large-scale infrastructure and renewable energy developments.
• Conduct and manage ecological field surveys, data analysis, and ecological impact assessments.
• Prepare, review, and sign off high-quality Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs) and Appropriate Assessments (AAs), ensuring compliance with EU and Irish environmental legislation and planning processes.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers and environmental specialists, to assess and mitigate ecological impacts.
• Provide expert advice and contribute to strategic project planning and decision-making.
• Lead, mentor, and develop junior staff to strengthen technical expertise within the team.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and resources for large and complex projects.
• Represent the company in oral hearings and respond to legal or judicial reviews (desirable).
• Maintain awareness of ecological consultancy market trends and opportunities.

Required Experience & Skills

• 8–10 years’ experience in ecological consultancy, ideally with large-scale and complex projects.
• Proven technical expertise in ecological field surveying, impact assessment, and data interpretation.
• Strong report writing skills to a professional standard.
• Excellent knowledge of EU and Irish environmental legislation, planning policies, and case law.
• Project, budget, and time management experience.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with experience liaising with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team.
• Commercial awareness of the ecological consultancy market.

Package & Benefits

• Salary: EUR 60,000–65,000
• Pension: up to 5% contribution
• 29 annual leave days + birthday off
• Hybrid/Remote working: 1–2 days per week in the office / 1 day per month for the right candidate
• 6 sick days per year
• 5 days CPD training
• EUR 250 home office allowance
• EUR 300 work clothing allowance
• EUR 500 health insurance contribution
• Disability benefits: 75% of salary

Does it sound like you? Please feel free to apply and to get in touch with our friendly team!