Senior Ecologist (Belfast)

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 Senior Ecologist - Ireland (Dublin/Cork)

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.

We have ecology teams based across the Ireland and would welcome applicants into our offices in Dublin, Cork and Belfast. While Jacobs offers flexibility in how and where you work, regular office presence is important to guide, support and mentor our growing Irish ecology team.

Your Impact As part of a collaborative and growing team, you'll contribute to the delivery of major high-profile projectsacross Infrastructure, Utilities, Local Authorities and more. From the East Coast Rail Infrastructure Protection Programme to large scale coastal protection and underground cable schemes, your work will directly influence environmental outcomes at national and international level.

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 in one of Irelands most dynamic regions.

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 driven 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 which is 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.

In this role, you will:

• Helping to deliver some of the most challenging and diverse infrastructure projects across highways, rail and energy
• Using your experience in habitat and protected species survey, Ecological Clerk of Works, Environmental Impact Assessment, Appropriate Assessment and/or Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Have the ability to balance your time across both site and office commitments
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, ensuring ecological considerations are integrated into project design and decision-making
• Build strong relationships with internal and external clients, environmental regulators and stakeholders to support future work pipelines
• Represent Jacobs through participation in professional networks, conferences, client meetings and knowledge sharing events
• Mentor, support and guide junior team members, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration

Here's what you'll need

You're a confident, forward-thinking leader ready to take the next step.

• A degree in ecology or a related environmental discipline with extensive industry experience
• Full membership of an appropriate professional body (or eligibility and commitment to achieving full membership)
• Experience in running ecological inputs on medium-large scale projects.
• Excellent written and verbal skills with good attention to detail
• High level of personal responsibility

Ideally you'll also have:

• Experience working on infrastructure, energy, water or transport projects
• Experience in protective species licencing and biodiversity enhancements
• A technical specialism in the field of terrestrial ecology. We are particularly keen to build upon our expertise in habitats, bats and aquatics. However, if that's not you, but you have broad experience and ability to pick up other ecological interests quickly, we'd love to hear from you too!

But beyond experience, what really matters is your ability to think differently, challenge the status quo, and spot opportunities to improve how we deliver for our clients.

Why Join Now? People are Jacobs' greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent.

In addition to the benefits you'd expect, Irish employees also receive:

• defined company contribution pension scheme;
• life assurance and income protection scheme
• reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships;
• support to their local communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations; and,
• opportunity to buy/sell annual leave.

People are Jacobs' greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. In addition to the benefits you'd expect, Irish employees also receive:

• up to 8% company contribution into their pension;
• life assurance and income protection scheme
• reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships;
• support to their local communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations; and,
• opportunity to buy/sell annual leave.

Wellbeing support and resources are available to UK employees comprising the following:

• Free employee medical cover and digital GP service.
• Mindfulness Platform.
• Dedicated Workplace Support 1:1 Counselling Consultations.
• Confidential information & counselling service provided by Optum. Emotional Wellbeing Solutions is a free confidential information and counselling service available 24/7 via phone or online. Experienced consultants are available to discuss finance, legal, family matters and counselling can be provided for personal support.
• Personalised financial planning and support provided by Origin, with 1:1 access to dedicated certified financial planners.

Fertility and family benefits and support are available to Irish employees comprising the following:

• Enhanced parental leave pay .
• Fertility healthcare and family-forming benefit provided by Carrot. With Carrot, you can virtually chat with experts, explore educational resources, find a vetted provider, and use employer-sponsored funds to pay for care. Get support with: understanding fertility health, preservation (egg, sperm, embryo),assisted reproduction (e.g., in vitro fertilisation), adoption, gestational surrogacy, donor assistance, pregnancy, menopause and low testosterone.
• A free parental success solution and neurodiversity training benefit provided by RethinkCare Family. The family solution gives you and your family 24/7 access to behavioural health support tools and resources to help parents or caregivers of children raise happy, healthy and resilient children.
• Bridge the Gap is our parental transition programme which aims to make Jacobs employer of choice for working parents, supporting them before, during and after the life-changing milestone of becoming a parent. Bridge the Gap supports our efforts to create an environment where we can bring our authentic selves to work and achieve our full potential.
• Work-life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for Jacobs. We're happy to discuss the different working patterns we offer:
• part-time roles;
• flexible working hours including compressed hours (working full-time hours over fewer days); and,
• annualised hours contract (working a defined number of hours over a year with an estimated average weekly hour pattern).
• We also offer the ability for employees to take time off in lieu to ensure staff have time to rest and recuperate between busy periods.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place . click apply for full job details