Project Ecologist

MKO Ireland; Cork, Dublin, Galway; Hybrid; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Pension scheme and life assurance

Paid professional membership

Employee assistance and wellbeing

Job summary

MKO Ireland is seeking a Project Ecologist to deliver medium and large ecology projects with support from Senior Leads. You will be the day-to-day client contact, plan workloads, prepare review-ready reports, and mentor junior colleagues while accessing senior technical support.

Our work spans major solar and wind developments, fish-passage and river-restoration projects, greenways and public infrastructure, habitat management planning for SACs, large residential developments and biodiversity

Qualifications

• Third-level qualification in ecology or related discipline.
• Typically 4+ years post-graduate ecology experience.
• Experience with EcIA and Appropriate Assessment.
• Strong report-writing and project-management skills.
• Knowledge of Irish and EU nature-conservation legislation.
• Willingness to travel and hold a full driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Manage ecology projects from scoping through completion.
• Plan and undertake ecological surveys.
• Prepare review-ready ecological reports (EcIA, Appropriate Assessment, PEA, etc.).
• Review junior colleagues' work for accuracy and compliance.
• Act as day-to-day client contact for projects.
• Manage project programmes and budgets.
• Prepare or support fee proposals and tenders.
• Mentor junior colleagues and provide constructive feedback.
• Contribute ideas to improve technical approaches and templates.

Skills

Ecology fieldwork

Report writing

Project management

Client communication

Mentoring

Driving licence / travel

Education

Ecology degree or related discipline

Job description

MKO is Ireland’s largest Planning and Environmental consultancy. Our team of 240+ experienced professionals work across the planning, environmental, ecology and related fields. We deliver challenging and complex projects for our clients and have an unrivalled track record of success. We add real value to our clients’ projects through our multi-disciplinary expertise and broad range of nationwide experience. Our success and growth rests entirely on the knowledge, skills, ambition and integrity of our people, and we value these qualities most highly. We are forward-thinking and work with a can-do attitude, which nurtures people, ideas and opportunities to help maximise potential. Through our work, we aim to leave a legacy we can all be proud of.

Job Description

The opportunity

At MKO, Project Ecologists are responsible for delivering medium and large ecology projects, with support from Senior Leads. You will act as the day-to-day client contact, plan workloads, prepare review-ready reports, and support junior colleagues, while retaining access to experienced peers and senior technical support. Our work spans major solar and wind developments, fish-passage and river-restoration projects, greenways and public infrastructure, habitat management planning for SACs, large residential developments and biodiversity research. Ecologists can contribute throughout the project lifecycle, from survey design and fieldwork to assessment, mitigation, planning, client advice and monitoring. Construction-stage monitoring is delivered with our specialist ECoW team.

The opportunity

At MKO, Project Ecologists are responsible for delivering medium and large ecology projects, with support from Senior Leads. You will act as the day-to-day client contact, plan workloads, prepare review-ready reports, and support junior colleagues, while retaining access to experienced peers and senior technical support. Our work spans major solar and wind developments, fish-passage and river-restoration projects, greenways and public infrastructure, habitat management planning for SACs, large residential developments and biodiversity research. Ecologists can contribute throughout the project lifecycle, from survey design and fieldwork to assessment, mitigation, planning, client advice and monitoring. Construction-stage monitoring is delivered with our specialist ECoW team.

What you will do

• Manage ecology projects from scoping and survey design through assessment, reporting, client advice and completion.
• Plan and undertake ecological surveys in line with your experience and project requirements.
• Prepare comprehensive, review-ready Ecological reports including but not limited to EcIAs, Appropriate Assessment, PEAs etc.
• Review work completed by junior colleagues for accuracy, completeness and compliance with agreed standards.
• Act as the primary day-to-day contact for clients and stakeholders on small to medium and large projects, managing expectations and escalating significant issues appropriately.
• Manage project programmes and budget.
• Prepare or support medium and large fee proposals and contribute to tenders.
• Manage and mentor junior colleagues, delegate meaningful work and provide clear, constructive feedback.
• Contribute ideas that improve technical approaches, templates and team ways of working.

What you will bring

• A relevant third-level qualification in ecology, botany, zoology, natural sciences or a related discipline.
• Typically 4 years or more of relevant post-graduate experience, with evidence of readiness to operate independently at project level.
• Broad ecological survey and reporting experience, including habitat and mammal surveys and experience contributing to EcIA and Appropriate Assessment.
• Strong report-writing, analytical and project-management capability.
• A sound understanding of Irish and EU nature-conservation legislation, including the Habitats and EIA Directives as they apply to consultancy projects.
• Confident client-facing communication and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Commercial awareness, including experience managing time, scope and project budgets.
• Experience mentoring or supporting less experienced colleagues.
• A full driving licence and willingness to travel for project work.

Desirable experience

• Associate or Full membership of CIEEM or another relevant professional body, or progress towards membership.
• Developing technical specialism that would add to the team's existing capability.
• Experience contributing to large, complex or multidisciplinary projects.

Development and support

Development at MKO is supported by annual Career Development Meetings (CDMs), a six-month check-in, clear grade definitions and a Leadership Framework that describes leadership at every level. Learning includes our MKO Academy, regular team and company knowledge shares, mentoring, paid professional membership and relevant external training or conferences. Progression is based on sustained readiness and performance rather than time served alone. Project Ecologists are encouraged to broaden their project leadership while developing a recognised technical interest. You will participate in the Ecology Project Managers weekly meeting, with access to peer support for technical queries, reviews and survey delivery. Strong performance at this level creates a pathway towards complex-project leadership, strategic client advice and people management.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid and flexible working options, subject to role and project requirements
• Pension scheme and life assurance
• Paid professional membership
• Employee assistance and wellbeing supports
• Active, funded sports and social programme

Equality and inclusion

We actively embrace diversity and inclusion as fundamental elements of our workplace culture. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, recognising that a diverse team fosters innovation, creativity, and a more dynamic work environment. We promote a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique strengths.