Senior or Principal Ecologist

We are looking for a senior/principal ecologist to join our growing team in at CAAS Ltd. This post is a dynamic role managing 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 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) and competitive compensation and benefits.

The role

Full / part time: Full time
Duration: Permanent (6-month probation)
Hours: 40 hours per week (with potential for flexi / reduced hours)
Location: Working from home (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 develop the growth of our ecology division. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to come into a department at the start of its development, and utilise your own experience, ecological specialisations and interests to help inform and manage the growth of the department of ecology in collaboration with the senior management team. You will also engage in the management of the ongoing portfolio of work in CAAS, managing in house ecological services for our planning and environmental teams as well as managing current staff or the recruitment of additional ecological staff when required.

Responsibilities include: reviewing and signing off on ecological impact assessments and appropriate assessment reports; management and training of staff; management of procurement and budgeting; and leading development and selection of new tendering avenues and opportunities for the ecology department in collaboration with the senior management team.

This role would suit a confident, creative and determined individual, with significant ecological skills and management experience, who is ready for new challenges and areas of self-led professional growth. CAAS also actively encourages self-directed development with additional professional / academic courses encouraged each year.

Essential criteria

• At least 9 years’ experience in ecological consultancy for Principal, and 5 years in ecological consultancy for Senior
• Postgraduate degree in ecological, biodiversity or conservation science – or equivalent relevant experience in ecological consultancy
• High level of experience in designing and performing ecological surveys – particularly habitat surveys and multidisciplinary ecological walkover surveys, with at least one specialism.
• Significant experience in project management and working successfully autonomously, preferably in the consultancy environment
• Full or Associate CIEEM member (or eligibility to apply)
• Significant experience in leading the production and review of Ecological Impact Assessments and Appropriate Assessments and to a high standard
• Excellent understanding of ecological processes and theory, and significant experience of their application in the consultancy environment
• Excellent understanding of 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)
• Highly skilled in translating complex scientific information and concepts to the appropriate level for various audiences/readers
• 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
• Display and uphold CAAS values of respect, positivity and professionalism at all times

Desirable criteria

• Specialism in 1 or 2 of the following areas: bats; breeding and winter bird surveys; botany; freshwater ecology; non-volant mammals (i.e., otter, badger, hare etc.)
• Experience in design of mitigation measures
• High degree of 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
• Publications (conference presentations, journal articles, etc.)
• 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 in the management and training of staff
• Experience in Biodiversity Net Gain assessments
• Experience with protected species licencing
• Utilisation of recent technological advancements in data collection and survey methods

Company benefits

• Competitive salary of €50,000 – 75,000, 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
• Annual CPD budget - with options to take on additional company funded further education (subject to discussion and agreement with Directors)
• 33 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

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.