Senior/Principal Ecologist (Scott Cawley)

ABOUT US

Scott Cawley Ltd. is one of Ireland’s longest established specialist ecological consultancies with a reputation as leaders in our field, specialising in providing innovative and best practice solutions for the protection and restoration of biodiversity. With a reputation for excellence, we work on diverse projects across multiple sectors, including transport, pharmaceutical, industrial, energy, utilities, technology and residential. We have been at the core of some of the most important and exciting infrastructure, energy and policy developments in the State over the last 15 years including Aviva Stadium, Dublin Docklands, St. James’s Gate Brewery, Luas, Metro North, Dart, BusConnects and N6 Galway City Ring Road. 

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

As a Senior or Principal Ecologist you will play a key role in our dynamic and close-knit team. You will be based in our office overlooking Dublin Bay and will have primary responsibility for the management and co-ordination of multiple national road infrastructure projects. You will work closely with a team of professionals in-house but also externally on our projects, contributing to the development and implementation of projects that protect and restore biodiversity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leading and directing on the management and co-ordination of multiple road infrastructure projects; managing a number of teams on the delivery of constraints stage through to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA Screening, NIS) reports.

Leading and directing on the design, commissioning and scheduling of multi-disciplinary and specialist ecological surveys for sites around the island of Ireland (including habitat and multi-disciplinary surveys, birds, mammals including bats, invertebrate and others), as well as personally carrying out multi-disciplinary and specialist ecological surveys as necessary.

Co-ordinating, supervising and managing other ecologists’ (in-house staff and external subcontractors) work to ensure safe and efficient delivery of work on time and within budget. 

Working closely with other members of staff and multi-disciplinary design teams to provide 
appropriate ecological design solutions and advice. This will require dealing with project team members (engineers, architects, planners, environmental consultants, hydrologists, archaeologists, landscape architects etc.) and interacting with environmental, planning and 
development-related issues including those outside of the field of ecology. Lead on provision of expert ecological advice and recommendations to clients in particular where risks may be posed to a project timescale or delivery, including verbal, written and face-to-face contact.

Providing expert witness at Oral Hearings

Liaising with clients, project managers and other project stakeholders including statutory bodies.

Line managing staff, carrying out performance reviews and monitoring performance and targets.

Maintaining up to date knowledge of industry changes, best practice, guidelines, legislation and policy, and providing leadership on same to other staff members.

Supporting the Sales Team in preparing fee proposals and tenders.

Project financial management including meeting targets and monitoring of profitability for individual projects.

Working as part of a team promoting the business and maintaining the company’s reputation and standards.

Reporting regularly to Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING

Degree in ecology, natural science or a related biological discipline. A postgraduate degree is highly desirable.

Membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) at appropriate level.

WORKING BACKGROUND & OTHER CORE SKILLS

Experience in ecological consultancy and working on road infrastructure projects

Experienced in the oral hearing process and in the role of expert witness

Excellent technical report writing skills, including proven track record in writing reports for EcIA and AA

Excellent working knowledge of Irish and EU wildlife and planning legislation alongside habitat and species survey design and implementation to relevant industry best practice guidelines

Excellent working knowledge of impact assessment and mitigation practices for large development types, in particular road infrastructure, and for European and Irish protected species

A proven track record in implementing/management of EcIA and AA for large projects

Strong organisational, project and time management skills (including technical, financial and quality aspects)

Ability to critically review others work to ensure quality and accuracy of technical information

Excellent written and spoken English and a proven track record in excellent communication and problem solving

Line management experience

A passion for ecology, a scientific approach to work and attention to detail

Ability to work well in a busy environment unsupervised and using own initiative

Ability to take instruction and willingness to learn new skills

Flexible friendly attitude and willingness to adapt to the changing needs of a growing business

Commitment to a high level of client care and service delivery

Commercial awareness of the ecological consultancy market