Senior Ecologist – Freshwater & Aquatic Specialist

Location: Galway, Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny or Sligo
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Working Arrangement: Hybrid / Agile
Experience: Senior Level

The Opportunity

An established environmental consultancy is seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist – Freshwater & Aquatic Specialist to join its multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will provide specialist ecological advice across complex development and infrastructure projects throughout Ireland, with a particular focus on freshwater and aquatic ecology.

You will contribute to project design, consenting and implementation by identifying ecological constraints, assessing potential impacts and developing practical mitigation strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and undertake freshwater and aquatic ecological surveys, including Q-value, RHAT, aquatic botany, species-specific and eDNA surveys.
• Provide specialist advice on freshwater ecology and hydrogeomorphological issues affecting aquatic systems.
• Contribute to projects involving in-stream works, flood relief schemes, barrier removal and infrastructure upgrades.
• Prepare, review and peer-review technical reports, ecological assessments and supporting documentation.
• Analyse and interpret ecological survey data and communicate findings to clients and project teams.
• Use GIS for ecological data capture, mapping and analysis.
• Provide ecological input into planning, consenting and project design.
• Develop practical mitigation measures using the mitigation hierarchy.
• Work closely with internal teams, clients, contractors, statutory bodies and external specialists.
• Support consenting strategies and help manage biodiversity and freshwater-related project risks.
• Undertake regular fieldwork and travel throughout Ireland.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• An Honours Degree in Ecology or a related discipline.
• Proven professional experience in freshwater/aquatic ecology or ecological consultancy.
• Strong practical experience undertaking freshwater ecological surveys.
• Good knowledge of Irish and European environmental legislation and consenting processes.
• Strong GIS skills and experience managing ecological data.
• Excellent technical report-writing, analytical and peer-review skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• A full clean driving licence and access to your own vehicle.

Desirable Experience

• MSc or postgraduate qualification in a relevant ecological discipline.
• CIEEM membership or progression towards Chartership.
• Electrofishing experience.
• Stage 1–4 freshwater pearl mussel surveys.
• Experience across additional ecological disciplines such as bats, ornithology, mammals or invasive species.

This role offers the opportunity to work on technically challenging projects across Ireland while developing specialist expertise and contributing to sustainable infrastructure and biodiversity protection.