Senior Ecologist (Belfast/ Cork/ Dublin)

Senior Ecologist (Belfast/ Cork/ Dublin)

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

As part of a collaborative and growing team you'll contribute to the delivery of complex and high profile projects, providing expert ecological input that helps balance development, biodiversity and environmental stewardship.

You'll support and mentor junior team members, build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, and help drive high standards of technical excellence across the business.

This is more than project delivery - it's an opportunity to make a visible and meaningful contribution to sustainable development, nature recovery and resilient infrastructure at scale.

What's In It For Me

• Global reach - collaborate with 600+ ecologists worldwide and tap into unmatched expertise
• Clear progression - structured development through our Global Career Framework & Chartership Academy
• Develop technical excellence - strengthen your expertise across a broad range of sectors while supporting and mentoring early career ecologists
• Influence major projects - work on a range of high profile, complex infrastructure projects across water, transport and energy and multiple local authorities
• Champion biodiversity - help shape sustainable solutions that balance development needs with nature recovery and environmental stewardship
• Build your professional profile - develop trusted client relationships, contribute to thought leadership, and be recognised for delivering high quality ecological outcomes

You'll be trusted to lead, supported to grow, and empowered to make a genuine difference.

About the Opportunity

We're looking for a Senior Ecologist to join our Irish ecology team, to take a leading role in some of the most transformative infrastructure projects in Europe. From the ground breaking Rail Infrastructure Protection Projects - the largest coastal protection initiative in Europe - to pioneering underground electricity cable schemes of unprecedented scale, you'll be at the forefront of projects that protect communities, drive innovation and advance sustainable infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of high profile, complex infrastructure projects across water, transport, energy and multiple local authorities.
• Balance site and desk based ecological work, contributing to surveys, assessments and project planning.
• Use your expertise in habitat and protected species surveys, Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW), EIAs, AAs and Biodiversity Net Gain/No Net Loss to inform project decisions.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring ecological considerations are understood, integrated and actioned.
• Design and lead ecological monitoring programmes, overseeing survey teams and ensuring delivery of high quality field data.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders, confidently communicating ecological advice.
• Mentor and learn, contributing to team capability building and engaging with global communities of practice, conferences, client engagements and training events.

What you'll need

• A background in terrestrial ecology with a significant number of years' relevant industry experience.
• Proven experience delivering ecological surveys, impact assessments, biodiversity management planning and reporting in Ireland/UK.
• Strong knowledge of Irish and EU environmental legislation (e.g. Habitats Directive, EIA, AA/Natura Impact Statements).
• Full membership of a professional body (or experience to obtain full membership).
• Experience in running ecological inputs on medium large scale projects.
• Outstanding written and verbal skills with good attention to detail.
• High level of personal responsibility.
• Strong report writing and client facing communication skills.
• Ability to manage site work independently and collaborate within multi disciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork.

Ideally you'd also have

• Experience working on infrastructure, energy, water or transport projects.
• GIS skills (e.g. ArcGIS/QGIS) and data analysis experience.
• Sound botanical survey skills and experience of habitat identification and classification using the Fossitt Guide to Habitats in Ireland (or equivalent Phase 1 Habitat Survey experience).
• Experience of leading ornithological and/or bat surveys.

Benefits

• Up to 8% company contribution into pension.
• Life assurance and income protection scheme.
• Reimbursement for relevant professional development and memberships.
• Support to local communities through our Collectively program, including matched funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations.
• Opportunity to buy/sell annual leave.

Wellbeing support and resources are available, including free medical cover, digital GP service, mindfulness platform, workplace support counselling, confidential information and counselling services, and personalised financial planning.

Fertility and family benefits are also available, including enhanced parental leave pay, fertility healthcare support, and family forming benefits.

We offer flexible working arrangements such as part time roles, flexible working hours, compressed hours, and annualised hours contracts, alongside time off in lieu to support staff rest and recovery.

Equal Opportunity

As a disability confident employer, we welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We provide a hybrid working policy that allows employees to split their work week between Jacobs offices and remote locations to deliver their best work.

We welcome reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process for candidates who require support, such as alternative application formats.

This role is subject to equal opportunities and anti discrimination policies in accordance with Irish law.