Principal Technical Consultant: Nature and Biodiversity

ERM; Dublin; Hybride; EUR 85 000 - 125 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

ERM is seeking a Principal Ecologist in Ireland to lead complex ecological assessments, provide expert advice, and drive delivery of CPD ecology services across infrastructure and development projects.

You will act as a senior technical authority, mentoring consultants, managing budgets and schedules, and engaging with clients and regulators to navigate environmental consenting and biodiversity net gain requirements.

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology or Environmental Science or related field.
• Extensive experience delivering ecological consultancy in Ireland and the UK.
• Strong knowledge of wildlife legislation, planning policy, and environmental consenting processes.
• Proven ability to lead ecology inputs to EIAs and large infrastructure projects.
• Management of budgets, programmes, and client relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsabilités

• Act as technical lead for complex terrestrial, freshwater and/or ornithological ecology scopes across infrastructure, energy, renewables, and development projects.
• Lead and review Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), NIS inputs, biodiversity chapters for EIAs, and supporting technical reports.
• Provide authoritative advice on planning policy, protected species legislation, habitats regulations, and biodiversity net gain (BNG).
• Oversee and quality‑review field survey design, interpretation of results, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure technical outputs meet ERM quality standards, best practice guidance, and client expectations.

Connaissances

Technical leadership

Project delivery

Client engagement

Mentorship

Communication

Formation

Degree in Ecology or Environmental Science

Description du poste

The Principal Ecologist is a senior technical specialist responsible for leading complex ecological assessments, providing expert advice to clients and project teams, and supporting the growth, quality, and delivery performance of CPD ecology services. The role combines technical leadership , project delivery , client engagement , and mentorship , with accountability for quality, programme, and commercial outcomes on ecology‑led and multidisciplinary projects.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Delivery

• Act as technical lead for complex terrestrial, freshwater and/or ornithological ecology scopes across infrastructure, energy, renewables, and development projects.
• Lead and review Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), NIS inputs, biodiversity chapters for EIAs, and supporting technical reports.
• Provide authoritative advice on planning policy , protected species legislation, habitats regulations, and biodiversity net gain (BNG).
• Oversee and quality‑review field survey design, interpretation of results, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure technical outputs meet ERM quality standards , best practice guidance, and client expectations.

Project & Commercial Management

• Support or lead project delivery, including scope definition, programme planning, budget control, and risk management for ecology packages.
• Contribute to proposal development, including methodology writing, resourcing, pricing , and technical input to bids.
• Identify opportunities to grow ecology scopes within wider CPD projects and frameworks.
• Support workload planning and resourcing discussions in collaboration with team leads.

Client Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with key clients, acting as a senior technical point of contact.
• Represent ERM in technical meetings with regulators, statutory consultees, and stakeholders.
• Provide pragmatic, solution‑focused advice to help clients navigate consenting and environmental risk.

People Leadership & Mentoring

• Provide line management and/or technical mentoring to consultants and senior consultants within the ecology team.
• Support capability development, knowledge sharing, and upskilling within the team.
• Contribute to succession planning and talent development initiatives within CPD Ecology.

Quality, Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Champion high standards of health, safety, and environmental performance.
• Contribute to internal technical communities, guidance development, and innovation initiatives.
• Support continuous improvement in ecology delivery efficiency and consistency.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Degree (or higher) in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience delivering ecological consultancy services in Ireland and the UK.
• Strong working knowledge of wildlife legislation , planning policy, and environmental consenting processes.
• Proven experience leading ecology inputs to EIAs and large infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, programmes, and client relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIEEM) at an appropriate level.
• Chartered Ecologist or working towards chartership.
• Specialist expertise (e.g. ornithology, freshwater ecology, BNG, protected species licensing).
• Experience working within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience contributing to frameworks or long‑term client programmes.

Behaviours & Attributes

• Credible senior technical authority with a collaborative mindset.
• Commercially aware and delivery‑focused.
• Calm and pragmatic under pressure.
• Committed to developing people and building high‑performing teams.
• Aligned with ERM values and purpose‑led consultancy.

Reporting & Interfaces

• Reports to: Ecology Team Lead / Technical Discipline Lead
• Works closely with: EIA Leads, Project Managers, Technical Directors, and CPD Leadership
• Interfaces with clients, regulators, and statutory consultees

Why This Role Matters

Principal Ecologists play a critical role in enabling CPD to deliver complex projects efficiently, manage ecological risk for clients, and maintain ERM’s reputation for technical excellence while supporting sustainable growth.

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ERM is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, it’s an essential part of what makes ERM a great place to build a career and helps us create better solutions for our clients.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for every candidate. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or need accommodations during the selection process, we’re here to support you. Our commitment doesn’t stop at hiring. Once you join us, we’ll ensure you have the tools, support, and adjustments needed to succeed and feel a true sense of belonging. Learn more about our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DIB) efforts by visiting our website or exploring our 2026 Sustainability Report.