At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ecological projects, conduct surveys, and mentor teams while ensuring environmental compliance.
- Company: Join Jacobs, a leader in sustainable infrastructure with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, income protection, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Work on high-profile projects with global exposure and clear career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability projects while developing your ecological expertise.
- Qualifications: Degree in Ecology or related field and experience in ecological assessments.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Your impact
- Lead delivery of high-profile, complex infrastructure projects across water, transport, and energy and multiple local authorities.
- Balance site and desk-based ecological work, contributing to surveys, assessments and project planning.
- Use your expertise in protected species surveys, Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW), EIAs, AAs, and Biodiversity Net Gain/No Net Loss to inform project decisions.
- Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring ecological considerations are understood, integrated and actioned.
- Design and lead ecological monitoring programmes, overseeing survey teams and ensuring delivery of high-quality field data.
- Be a trusted expert—acting as the primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders and confidently communicating ecological advice.
- Mentor and learn, contributing to team capability building and engaging with global communities of practice, conferences, client engagements and training events.
Here's what you'll need
- Degree (or higher) in Ecology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Botany or a related discipline.
- Proven experience delivering ecological surveys, impact assessments, and reporting in Ireland/UK.
- Strong knowledge of Irish and EU environmental legislation (e.g. Habitats Directive, EIA, AA/Natura Impact Statements).
- Experience with protected species surveys (e.g. bats, badgers, birds, otter, habitats).
- Capability in Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and biodiversity management planning.
- Membership (or working towards) CIEEM or equivalent professional body.
- Experience working on infrastructure, energy, water or transport projects (desirable).
- Strong report writing and client-facing communication skills.
- Ability to manage site work independently and collaborate within multi-disciplinary teams.
- GIS skills (e.g. ArcGIS/QGIS) and data analysis experience (desirable).
- Full clean driver’s licence and willingness to travel for fieldwork.
Why Join Jacobs?
- Flexible working (hybrid/remote options available).
- Generous annual leave + option to buy additional days.
- Income protection scheme.
- Pension scheme with employer contribution.
- Paid professional memberships (e.g. CIEEM).
- Ongoing training & clear career progression pathways.
- Opportunity to work on high-impact sustainability and infrastructure projects across Ireland.
- Employee wellbeing programme and mental health supports.
- Inclusive, collaborative culture with global project exposure.
As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria.
Ecologist (Ireland) in Belfast employer: Jacobs
Jacobs is an exceptional employer for ecologists, offering a dynamic work environment that champions flexibility and inclusivity. With generous annual leave, ongoing training, and clear career progression pathways, employees are empowered to grow while contributing to high-impact sustainability projects across Ireland. The collaborative culture fosters mentorship and engagement with global communities, making it a rewarding place for professionals passionate about ecological conservation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Ecologist (Ireland) in Belfast
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like Jacobs.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like Jacobs and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Ecologist (Ireland) in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Jacobs.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. Jacobs will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Ecologist (Ireland) at Jacobs. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Jacobs
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Jacobs, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show Jacobs that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
