Ecologist - Grade 2

Background

The Environmental Policy and Compliance (EP&C) Section provides environmentally related technical and policy support to all departments within TII and to National Roads Offices, Project Offices and local authorities. The environmental areas addressed include sustainability, climate change and carbon evaluation, biodiversity which incorporates ecology, ecological surveying techniques, landscape preparation and maintenance and invasive alien plant species (IAPS), waste and circular economy, air quality, noise and vibration, soils and geology, surface and groundwater, drainage and other.

In addition, the EP&C Section supports TII in compliance with national and EU environmental legislation and policies, and it promotes current and future best practice in project design and execution, through project reviews, research, standards development and participation in international working groups.

The role of the ecologist within the EP&C Section will mainly involve managing and advising in relation to screening for Appropriate Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of TII plans, programmes and projects. The role also involves undertaking reviews of relevant sections of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and Natura Impact Statements of relevant projects and will support the EP&C existing structures for the development of new planning, design, construction and commissioning and maintenance biodiversity standards to ensure a consistent approach is used for the treatment of all projects.

Role and Responsibilities

 The principal duties of the position will include:

·       Provision of day to day support to TII Environmental Policy & Compliance Section in the areas of appropriate assessment screening and appropriate assessment for all TII works as required by the 2011 Habitat Regulations.

·       Reviewing biodiversity chapters of environmental impact assessment reports and natura impact statements to ensure best practice ecological principles were applied during the preparation of such documentation.

·       Contribution to the development of new standards related to ecological impact assessment, ecological surveying and appropriate assessment.

·       Provision of ecological advice in the context of TII’s role under Section 51C of the Roads Act, 1993, as amended, which requires TII to supervise local authority compliance with environmental conditions associated with national road projects (that required EIA).

·       Liaison with and attendance at meetings with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; National Parks and Wildlife; and other stakeholder relevant to ecology, on all ecological matters related to the planning, construction and operation of major transport infrastructure projects, when appropriate.

·       Providing advice on techniques for mitigating the impacts of transport infrastructure on various fauna e.g. (bats, birds or invertebrates), flora (e.g. rare plants), vegetation communities, or terrestrial, marine or freshwater habitats (e.g. Annex I habitats).

·       In consultation with network operations, supporting the Section’s activities in all matters related to the management and eradication of invasive plant species on the national road network and other public transport infrastructure.

·       Liaison with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, collating and analysing all ecological data to support the assessment of ecological impacts of infrastructure projects,

·       Preparation of responses to parliamentary questions and questions from members of the public as well as supporting the Section in the preparation of materials requested under the Freedom of Information and Access to Environmental Information legislation.

·       Preparing relevant ecology materials for the environmental section of TII’s website.

·       Attending/presenting at relevant conferences on behalf of TII.

·       Undertaking and supporting TII’s research projects and international research projects related to biodiversity.

·       Undertaking such tasks, activities or other duties as may be required or assigned.

All divisions within TII have inter-dependent responsibilities and close cooperation and teamwork is required across the organisation.

Note:    The functions and responsibilities assigned to this position are based on the current stated role and may be changed from time to time. The person appointed will be required to demonstrate the flexibility necessary to fulfil other roles and responsibilities at a similar grade within TII and may be assigned to other such roles as business needs arise.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.  

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the role must be fully competent and capable of undertaking duties attached to the role and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education & Experience

The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the key competencies for a Grade II position as identified in Appendix A, as well as the following job-specific requirements:

• Degree or 3^rd level qualification (NFQ Level 8 or higher) in Ecology (or equivalent discipline).
• 5 years’ minimum experience working as a professional ecologist.
• Qualifying, Associate or Full Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (or equivalent professional body that represents ecologists).
• Excellent working knowledge of environmental legislation related to ecology.
• Awareness of the interaction of road and light rail engineering and ecology.
• A high standard of technical training, analytical skills and IT proficiency.
• A strong commitment to promoting ecological biodiversity and ensuring that ecological mitigation measures implemented on major transport infrastructure projects deliver the functions that they were designed for.
• Excellent organisation and administrative skills.
• The ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and orally in report writing and engaging with regulatory agencies and authorities.
• Excellent verbal and written proficiency in English.

·       Effective decision maker and ability to work on own initiative.

• Be a team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• A strong commitment to public safety and to the safety of those working for TII and on behalf of TII.
• Currently hold and maintain a full driving license.

Note:

In order to assure the shortlisting panel that you satisfy these requirements you must explicitly reference how you meet the requirements in your application. Failure to demonstrate these may prevent your application progressing to future shortlisting stages.

Candidates who come under consideration following the final selection stage will be required to provide documentary evidence of their eligibility, including qualifications and evidence of fluency in the English language.

Candidates who are unable to show that they hold the required qualifications may be withdrawn from the competition at any stage.  An invitation to interview or any element of the selection process is not acceptance of eligibility.

To apply for, or to locate further information on, these posts please visit our website: https://www.tii.ie/careers/

The closing date for applications is 12pm (noon) Tuesday 22nd October

2024.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is committed to a policy of equal opportunity