Ecologist

We are looking for an experienced ecologist to join our growing team at CAAS Ltd. This post is a challenging and dynamic role, with a diverse portfolio of projects in both the public and private sectors across Ireland.

As the longest established provider 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, ranging from private developments, to monitoring programmes and research, to local and national government land use planning.

We are now expanding our ecological department to service growing demand. If you would like to apply your ecological knowledge and experience 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) and competitive compensation and benefits.

The role

Full / part time: Full time
Duration: 2 years (6-month probation) with possibility of extension to permanent.
Hours: 40 hours per week (with potential for flexi / reduced hours)
Location: Working from some (hybrid working if located in Dublin city)
Start date: As soon as possible

This role will involve assisting on and conducting ecological impact assessments and appropriate assessments - which may include (but not exclusively): desktop reviews and data gathering; literature reviews; field surveys; data analysis; GIS mapping; and, writing and producing reports. Therefore, a high degree of knowledge of ecological theory, and experience in its application in the field and in assessments in a consultancy role is essential. The role will require field work in the Dublin area and across Ireland, with overnight stays where necessary. Attendance of relevant courses to keep up to date with the latest changes in case law and policy is also required. The role will also involve contributing to tender applications, assisting senior ecologists and management in administrative support tasks, and any other relevant duties where required.

The successful candidate will be adept in writing and translating complex scientific information and concepts to the appropriate level for various audiences/readers. They will have a keen interest in keeping up to date with the latest developments in general ecology, assessment legislation, case law, and relevant planning law and policy. They will show a willingness to work flexible hours for fieldwork; i.e., travel within Ireland, overnight stays and evening and weekend work where required.

In order to meet the demands of a diverse portfolio, with the shifting deadlines and demands that are a natural part of consultancy, the role requires strong initiative, critical thinking, and adaptability to moving deadlines, and a positive can-do attitude in an often fast-paced consultancy environment.

This role is an excellent opportunity to develop your ecological skills, CDP, and gain experience in a broad range of development and planning projects, in a small, supportive and highly experienced consultancy.

Essential criteria

• 2-3 years’ minimum experience as an ecologist in consultancy
• Ecology related undergraduate degree
• Understanding of relevant the wildlife legislation and policy in Ireland and Europe
• Sound understanding of ecological processes and theory, and experience of their application in the consultancy environment
• Experience in the ecological interpretation of data
• Full driver’s licence and access to a vehicle
• Display and uphold CAAS values of respect, positivity and professionalism at all times

Highly Desirable criteria

• Experience working in a high paced, challenging work environment, solely and with a team
• Ability to use GIS (Arc or Q) for basic mapping with R/Excel for data manipulation and analysis
• Experience contributing to and writing high standard Ecological Impact Assessments and Appropriate Assessments
• Experience working directly with clients / stakeholders
• High degree of professionalism and understanding of the client interface
• Experience in designing and performing ecological surveys – particularly habitat surveys and multidisciplinary ecological walkover surveys

Desirable criteria

• Additional experience, or view to become a specialist, in 1 or 2 of the following areas: bats; breeding and winter bird surveys; botany; freshwater ecology; non-volant mammals (otter, badger, hare etc.)
• Postgraduate degree in ecology related discipline
• Experience with project management
• Experience with procurement (e.g., E-tenders in Ireland) / funding applications
• Experience with protected species licencing
• Publications (conference presentations, journal articles, etc.)

Benefits

• Competitive salary (€35,000 – 50,000, 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
• Facilitation and encouragement CPD - with options to take on additional company funded further education (subject to discussion and agreement with senior management)
• Company funded CIEEM membership
• 30 days annual leave (including bank holidays) - rising by one day for each additional year until a maximum entitlement
• Supportive environment for professional development and personal development to ensure a healthy work-life balance
• Cycle to Work scheme

CAAS Ltd. reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

Over the past 30 years, CAAS have 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.