Principal Ecologist
Salary Commensurate with experience Location Belfast
The Vacancy
RSK (Ireland) Ltd, part of the RSK Group, are recruiting an experienced Ecologist to help guide and expand our ecology team. You will get the opportunity to work on an interesting and varied portfolio of projects including airports, renewable energy, flood alleviation, regeneration projects, residential.
You will work with our multi – disciplinary teams in a unique working environment which encourages a good work/life balance. We are offering an opportunity to come into our ecology team in Ireland at a senior level and the role is suited to someone that is interested in developing their career.
This position can be based from one of our offices in Belfast or Dublin, alternatively we are happy to consider homebased and remote working options. You’ll need to be willing to travel and stay away from home on occasions.
As a Principal Ecologist at RSK (Ireland) you can expect to get involved with management and delivery of all elements of field surveys, assessment, tender and report writing, project management and technical review of others work.
Whether it is working on large infrastructure developments, such as wind farms, or surveying for bats, badgers, and birds, our work is diverse and interesting, and always includes a range of exciting projects across Ireland and beyond.
About the Role
Principal Consultants have a key role within RSK, winning work, providing leadership, technical advice and training, reviewing reports and leading by example.
You will develop client relationships to ensure tender opportunities come into the business,
Developing your professional knowledge and skills; maintaining a personal CPD record and an up to-date professional CV.
Actively using the PDR process to set objectives for the year ahead that develop your skills and competencies in line with the team’s needs and your interests and aptitude.
Providing leadership, mentoring and guiding more junior ecologists, acting at all times with professional integrity, and exercising sound professional judgment within (and recognising the limits of) your competence.
Supporting others to uphold professional standards; acting as a role model.
Helping to drive the ecological capability and innovation of our team;
Providing technical leadership on a wide range of small and large scale projects including flood alleviation, water utility, rail, renewable/ energy projects, regeneration schemes and other infrastructure projects;
Providing ecological input into planning, AA/HRA and other consents;
Managing all stages of Ecological Impact Assessments from feasibility to delivery and monitoring;
An excellent working knowledge of the EIA process including the current methods, legislation, techniques and guidance which directs the services we provide.
A good knowledge of managing projects - including a detailed understanding of financial management, program management and quality control.
Overseeing protected species licence applications and mitigation;
Design of habitat restoration/creation schemes and delivering Biodiversity Net Gain;
Supporting business development and tenders;
Providing a key interface with project teams, clients, stakeholders and the public as required.
Person Specification
Degree in relevant discipline
8-10 years specific relevant experience since graduation
Full UK Driving Licence
Species specific personal licences are desirable
Full membership with CIEEM desirable.
Abide by CIEEM’s Code of Professional Conduct.
Working towards Chartership (CEcol unless CEnv has more relevance)
About Us
RSK is a leading environmental, engineering and technical services group providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. We know that the world faces some very significant challenges in the years to come. The United Nations are referring to the ‘Decade of Action’, saying that we have “ten years to transform our world” and to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals. RSK is on a mission to deliver solutions which will help to address these major global challenges, reshaping our natural and built environments and creating a more sustainable future. We need an outstanding workforce to help us achieve this. Do you have what it takes? RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then. In fact, Environment Analyst recently highlighted RSK’s growth commenting, “Few companies in the environmental services sector can claim to be expanding at the same pace as RSK.” Today, we are a group of over 120 businesses, many of which operate under different brands, employing over 7,000 employees worldwide. We plan to keep growing and are looking for professionals who have the passion, skills, and spirit needed to grow with us. Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented people. Employees are at the heart of our business, and we recognise that our success is founded on the talent of our people. As a company, we want you to share in our achievements and we want to be a conduit for your success. RSK prides itself on providing employees with a rewarding and challenging career by encouraging continuing professional development and enabling employees to reach their full potential. Despite our growing numbers, we are determined to maintain the people-centric culture that RSK was built on, fostering entrepreneurialism, and applying a caring and compassionate approach to all that we do.