Senior Ecologist – Freshwater / Aquatic Specialist

Tetra Tech Europe; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile working flexibility

Support for additional arrangements as per Equality Act

Job summary

Tetra Tech Europe is seeking a Senior Ecologist – Freshwater/Aquatic Specialist to join their Ecology Team in Ireland. This role is pivotal for managing ecology advice for various development projects, focusing on freshwater ecosystems. You will need strong experience in ecological assessments, regulatory compliance, and collaborative project delivery.

The position offers hybrid working arrangements and requires a valid driving license along with the ability to attend field sites across different locations in Ireland. Ideal candidates will have a strong understanding of ecological assessments and experience in freshwater ecology.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in freshwater/aquatic ecology or ecological consultancy.
• Strong practical experience in freshwater habitat and species survey work.
• Experience with Q-value, RHAT, and eDNA surveys.

Responsibilities

• Manage ecology advice and assessments for development projects.
• Shape ecological strategy and technical delivery for freshwater projects.
• Prepare accurate analysis, reports, and provide client support.

Skills

Freshwater ecology survey work

Aquatic botany

GIS data analysis

Electrofishing experience

Report writing

Collaboration with stakeholders

Education

Honours Degree in Ecology

Tools

GIS tools

Job description

Senior Ecologist – Freshwater / Aquatic Specialist

Location: Galway, Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, or Sligo

We are looking for a technically strong Senior Ecologist – Freshwater/Aquatic Specialist to join a collaborative Ecology Team delivering high-quality advice and assessments on complex development and infrastructure projects across Ireland. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced aquatic ecologist to apply specialist technical knowledge, influence project outcomes, and contribute to the delivery of sustainable solutions for clients and the environment.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

A Senior Ecologist – Freshwater/Aquatic Specialist is a pivotal role within the Ecology Team. Working with senior colleagues, you will be responsible for the management, progression, and delivery of ecology advice and assessments for a wide range of development and infrastructure projects in Ireland, while also providing specialist input on freshwater and aquatic technical matters. This role requires strong competency in freshwater ecology survey work, including freshwater habitats and fisheries surveys, Q‑value survey, RHAT survey, species‑specific surveys, aquatic botany, and eDNA surveys. Experience in electrofishing and/or Stage 1 – 4 freshwater pearl mussel surveys is desirable, as is the ability to advise on hydrogeomorphological matters affecting aquatic systems. You will also contribute to the assessment of complex projects, including the design, consenting, and implementation of in‑stream works and their associated impacts, such as flood relief schemes, barrier removal projects, and infrastructure upgrades. In addition to aquatic expertise, general habitat mapping and botanical survey skills, alongside competence in at least one other specialist area, are desirable. The role also involves the use of GIS tools for ecological data capture and analysis, and a sound understanding of relevant Irish and European legislation, consenting processes, and mitigation requirements.

Your Impact in This Position

In this role, you will help shape the ecological strategy and technical delivery of projects with significant freshwater and aquatic considerations. Your specialist knowledge will support robust ecological assessments, informed consenting strategies, and practical mitigation solutions that help clients move projects forward while protecting aquatic environments.

You will have direct impact through high‑quality field survey delivery, accurate analysis and reporting, effective client support, and the preparation of technically defensible assessments. Your contribution will help ensure that biodiversity and freshwater constraints are identified early and managed appropriately, improving both project outcomes and environmental performance.

Core Capabilities

• Technical Expertise & Knowledge: Competent aquatic/freshwater ecologist with an increasing professional reputation in the specialism. Strong technical understanding of ecological matters associated with the development, design, and consenting of complex projects, with proven experience in freshwater survey and assessment work.
• Reporting, Documentation & Compliance: Produces accurate, clear, and timely reports and technical documentation to a high standard. Maintains strong attention to detail and ensures compliance with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and quality, safety, and environmental frameworks.
• Freshwater Survey Delivery: Competent in core field survey skills, particularly freshwater/aquatic habitat and species surveys including Q-value, RHAT, species‑specific surveys, aquatic botany, and eDNA. Experience in electrofishing and/or freshwater pearl mussel surveys is desirable.
• GIS, Data Analysis & Assessment: Competent in capturing, manipulating, and analysing ecological desk study and field data in GIS tools such as Fieldmaps or similar. Able to support evidence‑based ecological assessment and interpretation of survey outputs.
• Project Delivery, Advice & Collaboration: Able to lead on ecological assessment for complex projects and develop appropriate strategies using the mitigation hierarchy. Confident advising on consenting risks, working with internal and external stakeholders, and collaborating with aquatic specialists across wider teams.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Honours Degree in Ecology.
• Proven experience in freshwater/aquatic ecology or ecological consultancy.
• Strong practical experience in freshwater habitat and species survey work.
• Experience with Q-value, RHAT, aquatic botany, eDNA, or species‑specific freshwater surveys.
• Competence in using GIS for ecological data capture and analysis.
• Strong understanding of Irish and European environmental legislation and consenting processes.
• Experience contributing to ecological assessments for complex development or infrastructure projects.
• Strong report writing and peer review skills.
• Full clean driving licence and access to own vehicle.

Desired Qualifications & Experience

• Postgraduate qualification (MSc) in a relevant biological or environmental science subject with an ecological component and practical experience.
• Experience in electrofishing surveys and/or Stage 1–4 freshwater pearl mussel surveys. Ability to advise on hydrogeomorphological matters relating to aquatic systems.
• Experience with projects involving in‑stream works such as flood relief schemes, barrier removal projects, or infrastructure upgrades.
• Experience in one or more non‑aquatic survey areas such as bats, large mammals, ornithology, or invasive alien plant species.
• Membership of CIEEM, or equivalent, working towards Chartership.
• A developing professional reputation in biodiversity and/or ecological consultancy.

Working Environment

This role offers agile working with hybrid flexibility as standard. The position may be based from any of the listed office locations, with regular travel required to support fieldwork and project delivery across Ireland. A full clean driving licence and access to your own vehicle are required to meet the fieldwork requirements of the role.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day‑to‑day role.