Ecologist- Barriers Mitigation Division

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) presents an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified person to join a new team in IFI as a Ecologist. This role will primarily focus on providing ecological expertise to support the remediation works required to successfully mitigate or remove barriers to fish migration across Ireland.

The aim of the National Barrier Mitigation Programme is to improve river hydromorphology and connectivity in Irish catchments by strategically targeting significant barriers to fish passage and structures degrading river form, flow and function. Iconic species such as Atlantic salmon and the European eel are threatened species and IFI is mandated to protect them under law. Removing barriers will open up habitat to various species in an era where habitat loss is impacting severely on biodiversity both nationally and internationally.

The Ecologist will be responsible for ecological aspects of these projects, including preparing and reviewing Appropriate Assessment (AA) screenings, procuring ecological surveys and reports, undertaking ecological surveys, and ensuring alignment with the Habitats Directive and Wildlife Act. The Ecologist will be required to coordinate and undertake ecological surveys including fish habitat, mammal, invasive species, habitat, and electrofishing surveys as part of a team. The successful candidate will play a key role in guiding mitigation on projects from the initial feasibility and option selection phases through complex planning and consenting processes, all the way to project construction, environmental monitoring and completion.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated a high level of competence in relation to Appropriate Assessments under the Habitats Directive and will be required to both deliver and procure relevant reports. A comprehensive knowledge of ecosystem science and its associated statutory and regulatory processes will also be important. The work will involve the compilation of ecosystem and geographical data to support applications for consent for barrier removal or mitigation projects at river sites where river hydromorphology has been physically impacted by human activity. The successful candidate will also be required to contribute to the development of project plans, providing supporting documentation relating to Appropriate Assessment, WFD, fish populations and water quality/ecological status. The successful candidate will collate all necessary project details to secure necessary consents from relevant authorities.

Reporting to the Environmental Specialist, the Ecologist will be experienced in civil engineering works that pertain to the water based/marine environment and will have the ability to understand the impacts of ecosystem dynamics associated with barrier removal and mitigation.

ABOUT US
Inland Fisheries Ireland are the environmental agency responsible for protecting, managing and conserving Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

VISION, MISSION & VALUES
Vision
To place the inland fisheries resource in the best sustainable position possible for the benefit of future generations.

Mission
To protect, manage and conserve Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources and to maximise their sustainability and natural biodiversity.

Values

• We are committed to the environment and sustainability.
• We work collaboratively and with professionalism.
• We communicate openly and transparently.
• We act with respect, integrity, and accountability

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Main duties will include:

• Day to day ecological input to projects under the supervision of the Environmental Specialist
• Work closely with colleagues in the National Barrier Mitigation Programme to facilitate the implementation of barrier removal or mitigation projects, ensuring all ecological regulations and conditions are met.
• Collecting, collating or sourcing ecological information such as survey data pertaining to mammals, bats, invasive species, habitats, fish, other aquatic species, and water quality data.
• Co-ordinate and monitor the progress of Assessments through the IFI Appropriate Assessment Determination process.
• Carry out ad-hoc Screening for Appropriate Assessment for development projects
• Evaluate, prepare and present findings on ecological aspects of technical proposals, and make recommendations for incorporation into design and specifications.
• Provision of essential information to IFI senior management and consenting authorities.

Management

• Production of tendering and procurement documents for ecological surveys and assessments.
• Coordinate habitat, electrofishing and other surveys for the wider environmental team.
• Compilation of essential project details for submission to project stakeholders and partners including NPWS, consultants, contractors and relevant authorities.
• Coordination or procurement of necessary environmental evaluations and assessments, ensuring that all required documentation is available and comply with regulatory standards.
• Provide guidance and expert opinion on ecological receptors and associated regulations, to the wider NBMP team.
• Compile standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments for the habitat restoration process.

Survey

• Assist with fish stock, habitat and water quality surveys to support barrier mitigation projects.
• Undertake surveys to identify invasive species, signs of mammals, bats, birds, habitats, aquatic species such as white-clawed crayfish and aquatic invertebrates.
• Compilation of project information.
• Review and provide feedback on Appropriate Assessment deliverables to support IFI plans, projects and activities.
• Maintain knowledge base of international best practice with regard to river restoration methodologies and ecological mitigation measures.

Data Collation & Presentation

• Collect data on hydromorphology, river habitats, fish populations, and relevant environmental and abiotic data from barrier mitigation sites.
• Provide data and contribute to the compilation of assessments and reports relating to restoration projects
• Use GIS methods (remote and desktop) to collect and compile data in an efficient manner.

Data Processing

• Data mining, data processing, collation and aggregation of data required for meeting requirements to secure relevant authorisations for barrier mitigation projects.
• Quality assure and review all datasets for entry to databases/GIS.
• Maintain raw data and all other records in a clear concise manner and in line with IFI's database structure.
• Interact with other data managers internally (IFI) and externally to produce publicly accessible datasets and maps.

Reporting

• Provide reports on project progress at barrier mitigation sites.
• Provision of weekly and monthly updates to project teams.
• Liaise with stakeholder groups and project proponents, providing all data necessary to progress projects through consenting processes.
• Collate data on Hydromorphology, river habitats, fish populations, and relevant environmental and abiotic data from river restoration sites for relevant reports.

Other Duties

• Undertake all other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by the Environmental Specialist or nominee
• Ensure that all ecological elements of barrier mitigation projects are achieved in a timely and efficient manner
• Demonstrable capacity to communicate positively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders

KEY EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Essential

• A recognised third-level qualification, at a minimum level of NFQ Level 7, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline, such as but not limited to, Ecology or Environmental Science
• A full Category B driving licence that is valid in Ireland
• Eligible to work full-time in the State and meet the citizenship requirements for the role
• Proven project management experience in a multi-disciplined team essential (including report writing, scheduling, risk management, etc.)
• Demonstrable experience in project planning and progression through various administrative stages
• Experience of appropriate assessment screening and procurement
• Knowledge of relevant legislation such as; the Water Framework Directive, planning regulations and Habitats Directive
• Extensive experience in report writing
• Demonstrable experience in data management
• The ability to use relevant software to collate and present relevant data
• A strong expertise in IT is required (GIS, Data analysis, MS Office suite)
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent inter-personal skills with particular emphasis on stakeholder engagement
• Excellent team working skill
• Self -directed and able to work independently

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification (NFQ Level 8/9) in a relevant discipline
• Professional Title of Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) or Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
• Demonstrable experience and good knowledge of some of the following areas; Water Framework Directive and Habitats Directive requirements for plans and projects. Habitat assessment
• Experience of working with a variety of environmental stakeholders
• Ability to access and interpret fish population, Hydromorphology and water quality data
• Knowledge of habitat survey and mapping techniques (e.g. GPS data loggers, spatial data collection, and analysis, etc.)
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