Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist

Jacobs

Dublin or Cork, Ireland

Your Impact

As part of a collaborative and growing team, you’ll contribute to the delivery of major high-profile projects across 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.

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!
• Full clean driver’s licence.

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.