Senior / Principal Ecologist

We are looking for a senior or principal ecologist to join our team in CAAS Ltd. This post is a dynamic role managing a diverse portfolio of projects in both the public and private sectors across Ireland.

As one of the longest established providers of environmental and planning consultants in Ireland with over three decades of in-house expertise and experience, CAAS Ltd. are pioneers in planning, EIA and AA. We manage a diverse range of clients and projects predominantly for local and national government land use planning an policy applications.

We are now expanding our ecological services to meet growing demand. If you would like to apply your ecological expertise, management experience and creative mind in a position that has a diverse and challenging body of work, then this role is for you.

The successful candidate will be working in a small and welcoming company with a team of dedicated and passionate specialists that offers flexible working arrangements (hybrid working / family-flex hours), competitive compensation, benefits, and professional development/ CPD.

The role

Full / part time: Full time (or part time for a suitable candidate)
Duration: Permanent (6-month probation)
Hours: 40 hours per week (with potential for flexi / reduced hours or part-time)
Location: Working from home within Ireland (hybrid working if located in Dublin City)
Start date: As soon as possible

This role will involve working with our senior management team, under guidance from the Directors, to manage and expand our ecology services. In addition to delivery of the ongoing portfolio of work in CAAS, this position also offers a great opportunity to utilise your experience, specialisations and interests to manage and grow an ecology department and get creative in the process!

Responsibilities include reviewing and writing ecological impact assessments and appropriate assessment reports (Screenings for AA and Natura Impact Statements); procurement and budgeting, and leading on developing new tendering avenues, and building an ecology department, in collaboration with the senior management team.

This role would suit a confident, creative and determined individual, who has significant ecological skills and management experience, and is ready for new challenges and areas of self-led professional growth.

CAAS also actively encourages self-directed development with additional professional / academic courses each year for all staff.

Essential criteria

• At least 5 years’ experience in ecological consultancy (10 years for the Principal role)
• Postgraduate degree in ecological, biodiversity, conservation or other ecology related discipline – or equivalent relevant experience in ecological consultancy
• Significant experience in leading the production and review of Ecological Impact Assessments and Appropriate Assessment reports
• Experience in designing and performing field surveys; particularly habitat surveys and multidisciplinary ecological walkover surveys, with at least one specialism.
• Experience in project management and working successfully autonomously, preferably in the consultancy environment
• Associate CIEEM member, or eligibility to apply (Full membership for the Principal role)
• Excellent understanding of the relevant wildlife legislation and policy in Ireland and Europe
• High degree of familiarity with relevant survey and ecological guidelines for planning and development in Ireland (and UK guidelines where relevant)
• Full driver’s licence and access to a vehicle
• Willingness to work flexible hours for fieldwork purposes when required; i.e., travel within Ireland and overnight stays, dusk or dawn surveys etc.

Desirable criteria

• Specialism in at least 1 of the following: bats, ornithology, botany; freshwater ecology; non-volant/terrestrial mammals (otter, badger, pine marten etc.)
• Experience in design and application of mitigation measures for projects
• Up to date knowledge of case law, policy and legislation relevant to the role
• Ability to use GIS (Arc or Q) for mapping with R/Excel for data manipulation and analysis
• Experience working directly with clients and various stakeholders, with an ability to understand or anticipate client needs
• Experience with procurement (e.g., E-tenders in Ireland) / funding applications and budgeting
• Experience in Biodiversity Net Gain assessments
• Experience with protected species licencing
• Publications (conference presentations, journal articles, etc.)
• Utilisation of recent technological advancements in data collection and survey methods

Company benefits

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience (linked to public sector salary scales)
• Family-flex hybrid working / WFH available, with a TOIL (time off in lieu) policy
• Workplace pension scheme
• Annual CPD budget – with options to take on additional company-funded further education (subject to discussion and agreement with Directors)
• Statutory annual leave (including bank holidays) – rising by one day for each additional year until a maximum entitlement
• Highly supportive environment for professional development and personal development to ensure a healthy work-life balance
• Cycle to Work scheme

Over the past 30 years, CAAS have worked to integrate varied perspectives and experience into our team that help generate better ideas to solve the complex problems. The company try to live by this commitment in ways that range from being supportive of our colleagues in their personal growth and priorities throughout their personal and professional lives. In CAAS, this also means respect and accommodation for age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective.

Position open until filled.