Principal Ecologist

Location: Cork, Dublin or Carlow
Sector: Ecology & Environmental Consultancy

About the Role

A leading multidisciplinary environmental consultancy is seeking an experienced Principal Ecologist to join its growing Ecology team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ecology professional with 10+ years’ relevant experience to take a senior role across a diverse portfolio of renewable energy, waste management and civil infrastructure projects.

You will provide specialist ecological expertise, lead technical workstreams and contribute to project delivery while supporting client relationships and the continued development of the ecology team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee ecological consultancy services across multiple projects.
• Provide specialist ecological advice to clients and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Plan, conduct and supervise ecological surveys and fieldwork.
• Prepare and oversee Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs).
• Lead Appropriate Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments and biodiversity chapters for EIARs.
• Prepare and review high-quality technical reports and environmental documentation.
• Ensure quality, accuracy and timely delivery of project outputs.
• Support continuous improvement across ecological services and processes.
• Represent projects at client and design team meetings.
• Build and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships.
• Act as an expert witness at Oral Hearings where required.
• Support the development and mentoring of junior and senior ecology professionals.

Requirements

• Degree in Ecology or a related environmental discipline.
• Minimum 10 years’ postgraduate experience in environmental consultancy.
• Membership of CIEEM, CIWEM or a comparable professional body.
• Strong knowledge of Irish wildlife and conservation legislation.
• Proven experience preparing and implementing CEMPs.
• Experience preparing Appropriate Assessments, EcIAs and EIAR biodiversity chapters.
• Proven experience acting as an expert witness and participating in Oral Hearings.
• Excellent technical report-writing skills.
• Strong communication, organisational and project management abilities.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Full clean driving licence.

What’s on Offer

• Senior position within a growing ecology team.
• Diverse projects across renewable energy, infrastructure and environmental sectors.
• Opportunities to influence project delivery and technical standards.
• Supportive multidisciplinary working environment.
• Structured career progression and professional development.