Senior ecologist in Coleraine

About Us

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Flanagan Ecology are a growing ecological consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering trusted, practical advice. Our projects cover a wide range of sectors across Northern Ireland and further afield, including renewable energy, housing, infrastructure, leisure, and minerals.

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Our ethos is built around autonomy, flexibility, and collaboration. While this role is primarily home-based, we fully support flexible working arrangements to help you balance professional and personal life, while remaining connected to a supportive, professional team.

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About the role

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We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Ecologist to join our growing ecological consultancy in Northern Ireland.

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The successful candidate will manage a varied portfolio of ecological projects, working directly with clients and leading projects from initial enquiry and survey design through to reporting, mitigation and completion. They will also provide technical support and mentoring to junior members of the team and contribute to the continued development of the business.

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The role will suit an experienced consultant ecologist who can work independently, manage competing priorities and provide clients with clear, proportionate and commercially practical ecological advice.

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Principal responsibilities

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The Senior Ecologist will be responsible for:

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• Managing ecological projects from initial commission through to completion, including agreeing scopes of work, preparing fee proposals, planning surveys, coordinating staff and subcontractors, monitoring budgets and programmes, managing project risks and ensuring that work is delivered on time and to the required technical standard.

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• Acting as the principal point of contact for clients, planning consultants, architects and other members of multidisciplinary project teams.

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• Leading and undertaking Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Biodiversity Checklists, protected-species surveys and other ecological assessments.

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• Preparing high-quality technical reports, including ecological appraisal reports, protected-species reports, mitigation plans and supporting information for planning applications.

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• Preparing or contributing to Ecological Impact Assessments and ecology chapters for Environmental Statements, and preparing technical information to inform Habitats Regulations Assessments, including screening and Appropriate Assessment stages.

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• Designing appropriate avoidance, mitigation, compensation and biodiversity enhancement measures.

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• Reviewing survey data and technical reports prepared by other members of the team, ensuring that work is accurate, proportionate and compliant with current guidance.

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• Interpreting ecological legislation, planning policy and relevant professional guidance, particularly as these apply in Northern Ireland.

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• Liaising with NIEA/NED, local planning authorities and other statutory or non-statutory consultees.

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• Providing day-to-day technical supervision and mentoring to ecologists and assistant ecologists, including allocating work, reviewing reports, supporting fieldwork development and helping to identify training needs.

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• Supporting the scheduling and coordination of field surveys and helping to ensure that projects are adequately resourced.

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• Contributing to fee proposals, tenders and quotations, including defining appropriate scopes of work and estimating survey and reporting requirements.

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• Developing and maintaining positive relationships with existing clients and identifying opportunities for repeat or additional work.

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• Supporting the growth of the consultancy through professional networking, responding to new enquiries and contributing to the development of new services and areas of work.

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• Maintaining high standards of health and safety during fieldwork and ensuring that appropriate risk assessments and working procedures are followed.

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• Undertaking other duties appropriate to the seniority and responsibilities of the role.

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Essential qualifications and experience

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Applicants should have:

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• A degree in ecology, environmental science, biological science or another relevant discipline.

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• Normally at least five years’ relevant professional experience in ecological consultancy within the UK or Ireland, or equivalent demonstrable experience and competence in a comparable role.

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• Associate or Full membership of CIEEM, or demonstrable eligibility and willingness to obtain an appropriate level of membership within an agreed period.

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• Strong knowledge of ecological legislation, planning policy and protected-species requirements, preferably with direct experience of the Northern Ireland planning system.

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• Experience of undertaking habitat assessments and protected-species surveys.

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• The ability to plan and manage ecological projects, including survey programmes, deadlines, budgets and staff resources.

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• Demonstrable experience of producing clear, accurate and professionally presented ecological reports.

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• Confidence in dealing directly with clients, statutory bodies, planning consultants and other professionals.

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• The ability to review the work of others and provide constructive technical guidance.

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• Experience of supervising, mentoring or supporting junior members of staff.

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• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage several projects concurrently.

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• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle, together with a willingness to travel throughout Northern Ireland and undertake evening, night-time or early-morning surveys when required.

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Desirable qualifications and experience

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The following would be particularly advantageous:

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• Experience of preparing or contributing to Environmental Statements and Environmental Impact Assessments.

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• Experience of undertaking or contributing to Habitats Regulations Assessments.

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• One or more protected-species survey or mitigation licences.

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• A particular technical specialism, such as bats, badgers, ornithology, botanical surveys, freshwater ecology or habitat assessment.

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• Experience of preparing fee proposals, tenders and detailed scopes of work.

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• Experience of developing new business or maintaining long-term client relationships.

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• Experience of using QGIS or other geographical information systems.

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• Full or Associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, or eligibility to work towards an appropriate level of membership.

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• A relevant postgraduate qualification.

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Personal qualities

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We are looking for someone who:

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• Can take ownership of projects and make sound professional decisions.

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• Communicates confidently and professionally with clients and colleagues.

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• Is supportive and approachable when mentoring less-experienced members of the team.

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• Produces careful, defensible and proportionate ecological advice.

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• Understands the commercial requirements of consultancy while maintaining high professional and ethical standards.

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• Is adaptable and comfortable working within a growing independent consultancy.

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What we offer

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• An annual leave entitlement.

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• A permanent senior position within a growing Northern Ireland ecological consultancy.

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• Home-based working with flexible working arrangements, subject to project requirements, seasonal workloads and attendance at occasional team meetings.

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• A varied portfolio of ecological projects throughout Northern Ireland, with opportunities to lead projects and influence the continued development of the company.

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• Clear opportunities for career progression, including the potential to develop towards a Principal Ecologist or other senior leadership role as the consultancy grows.

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• An annual budget for relevant continuing professional development, external training and the development of technical specialisms.

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• Payment of the successful candidate’s annual CIEEM membership subscription.

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• Provision of the IT, software and field-survey equipment required to undertake the role.

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• A mileage allowance for authorised business travel undertaken using the employee’s own vehicle, paid at the applicable company mileage rate.

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• Approved additional hours, including evening, night-time and early-morning survey work, compensated through time off in lieu and/or overtime payments in accordance with company policy.

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• A workplace pension scheme with employer pension contributions.

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