Overview

RPS is Ireland’s leading all-island multidisciplinary Engineering, Planning, Environmental, Project Communications and Project Management Consultancy employing over 380 talented people nationwide. We work on the country’s most challenging projects to deliver Ireland’s infrastructure.

RPS is seeking to recruit an Ecologist with a particular emphasis on aquatic ecology to join our team in Cork.
Candidates will have 3 or more years’ experience working in the environmental assessment field and should have previous experience of consultancy.
Successful candidates will be joining a recognised leader in the delivery of consultancy services in Ireland and will be offered a dynamic and rewarding career with varied and interesting projects.

Qualifications / Experience:
• An honours degree in ecology or a related biological / environmental science discipline;
• MSc or PHD also desirable;
• A minimum 3 years employment experience in ecological consultancy;
• Member of CIEEM or IEMA desirable.

Key Requirements
• Knowledge of legislation and policy in relation to ecological conservation with particular reference to the aquatic environment;
• A thorough understanding of freshwater ecology;
• Previous experience of conducting aquatic ecology surveys and undertaking analysis and assessment;
• Knowledge of terrestrial ecology;
• Experience of project management and tendering;
• Experience of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment Processes and Reporting Requirements;
• Knowledge of the application and consent process for infrastructure projects;
• Technical writing skills;
• Statistical analysis skills, with a knowledge and ability to interpret and present data appropriately;
• Experience of ecological assessment across a range of sectors, such as transport, energy, and waste.

In addition to the technical requirements, candidates should also:
• Be a good team worker, reliable and able to rapidly establish a high degree of trust, rapport and co-operation with all clients and stakeholders;
• Have strong communications skills; be confident and articulate in all communications i.e. interpersonal and written communications;
• Be self-motivated, self-disciplined with the ability to work to tight deadlines;
• Have good attention to detail;
• Maintaining and enhancing our high standards of delivery, quality and accuracy;
• Be highly computer literate and experienced with standard MS Office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);
• Experience in Mapinfo;
• Have excellent written skills;
• A full driving licence.

Job Summary:

• Preparation of Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) and Appropriate Assessment Reports (AA, NIS, NIR) on the likely impacts of proposed plans/ projects covering a range of sectors including water, transport, waste, energy and land use;
• Site surveys / assessments and specialist ecological surveys and monitoring;
• Scientific analysis of ecological data to support ecological assessments;
• Consultation with relevant stakeholders, including: government departments, planning authorities, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland, and other regulatory bodies;
• Project management of Environmental Impact Assessment processes including coordination of specialist inputs, liaison with stakeholders, public consultation and compilation of statutory documentation;
• Integration with multi-disciplinary teams focussed on creating solutions. This will include working with internal RPS departments, our clients and other third parties such as engineers, architects, planners, environmental consultants, hydrologists, archaeologists, landscape architects, etc.
Closing Date for applications: 19th June 2016

We do not require the assistance of Agencies at this time

Note: As with all positions, due to the dynamic nature of RPS’s business, key responsibilities will evolve and change over time.
We are an equal opportunities employer.