Environmental Scientist – Water & Catchment Management in Belfast

At Jacobs, we are challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact: Investment in Ireland & the UK’s Water and Environmental sector is at unprecedented levels. We have a significant opportunity to build and shape the delivery of this investment through growing strategic relationships with the largest water and public infrastructure companies operating in both regions. From feasibility studies and planning to design, construction management, operations, and maintenance; we bring together the talent and expertise necessary to deliver success and we are proud of our extensive portfolio of work and broad capability.

Jacobs has secured multiple multi‑year frameworks and programmes with leading clients across the island of Ireland including the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure (DfI), Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) and Northern Ireland Water. These large programmes of work span flood and drought management, environmental protection, water and wastewater delivering critical infrastructure that provides real value to communities.

To support this growing portfolio, we are seeking environmental scientists, geomorphologists, hydrologists, hydrogeologists and engineers to support the delivery of projects across the wider water and environmental sector in Ireland. Successful candidates will join our growing Water Catchment Management team and work closely with our established Water team, based across our Dublin, Cork and Belfast offices, contributing to the delivery of high‑profile national frameworks and projects.

The ideal candidate will have opportunities to work across a diverse range of projects and programmes including flood and drought management, abstraction licensing, and transport design – from concept through to commissioning – while engaging and collaborating with multi‑disciplinary teams, ensuring technical excellence, regulatory compliance and stakeholder satisfaction.

• Preparing Water Environment EIA Report (EIAR) chapters for major infrastructure and flood management projects.
• Undertaking technical assessments in hydromorphology, hydrology, water quality, flood risk or to support EIAR chapters.
• Providing environmental input into the design of major infrastructure projects, thinking both creatively and logically to resolve design and development problems.
• Liaison with contractors, stakeholders and regulators.
• Identifying potential health and safety hazards of specific projects or work elements and demonstrating a commitment to your own safety and that of those around you.
• Financial awareness of project delivery, document control and progress reporting.

• Undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Geography, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Geology, or a related discipline.
• Experience in data analysis, report writing and undertaking field science assessments.
• Member or working towards CIWEM or an equivalent professional institution.
• Clear commitment to learn and develop with a flexible mindset.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Good motivation, influencing and people management skills so that you can lead a team and provide support for developing junior team members whilst continuing to develop your own career.
• Interest in future technologies and knowledge about the challenges within the Industry, including data, carbon and sustainability.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process, please contact the team via Careers Support.