Environmental Scientist/Ecologist Grade III

Job Title: Environmental Scientist/Ecologist Grade III

Employer: OPW

County: Galway

Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 11th September 2025

Starting Salary: €39,474

About the Employer:

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is a government authority with responsibilities relating to three main areas:

• Flood Risk Management Services

• Heritage Services

• Estate Portfolio Management

It is the government's principal authority for Flood Risk Management with functions including guiding national policy and implementing work programmes for flood relief and arterial drainage maintenance purposes. The OPW currently has a vacancy for an Environmental Scientist/Ecologist Grade III in its Environment Section under Flood Risk Management Services.

OPW is the lead agency in co-ordinating flood risk management policy and the flood relief capital programme in Ireland. Flood Risk Management (FRM) Services is the Business Unit in the OPW tasked with discharging this responsibility. The primary functions of the flood risk management programme are to develop and deliver appropriate work programmes and measures; to maintain an effective programme of maintenance of arterially drained water courses and flood defence schemes; to implement in collaboration with Local Authorities a national programme of flood relief schemes; and to advise the Government on flood risk management policy.

The Environment Section provides advice and direction to the Arterial Drainage Maintenance & Construction Service and across FRM planning activities. It manages the ever increasing environmental requirements, through evolving environmental policy and the continuous improvement of environmental practices across flood risk management activities. It leads the incorporation of environmental good practice into the statutory drainage and flood alleviation elements of the works programme and the integration of environmental requirements in FRM planning and flood relief scheme design. It is key in ensuring that FRM design, planning and operations are carried out in accordance with existing EU and Irish environmental legislation and policy.

About the Role:

The Environmental Scientist/Ecologist Grade III will typically report to an Engineer or Environmental Scientist/Ecologist Grade II or the relevant Head of Section. They will manage environmental compliance, ecological and aquatic surveys, environmental monitoring and environmental assessments for a range of OPW activities in the aquatic environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the role may include:

• Inspecting and developing environmental/biodiversity management/river enhancement plans for sites under OPW management;

• Inspecting on-site construction works to ensure environmental compliance, carrying out environmental audits on construction sites and, providing environmental toolbox talks to operational staff on the ground;

• Liaising across OPW staff to assist with coaching, training and reviewing implementation of environmental procedures;

• Working with the wider OPW organisation on the management and implementation of conservation and restoration projects and other work for the management of sites, habitats and species;

• Improving environmental performance on the management of Arterial Drainage Maintenance channels by working with operational staff on the field and providing environmental advice;

• Assisting and advising on OPW and County Council led drainage maintenance or flood related applications;

• Assisting management in research and consultations on environmental issues nationally and internationally to continuously evolve and expand best practice;

• Supporting development of new strategies, procedures and practices to aid the OPW in adhering to its environmental obligations, and communicating and implementing same;

• Assisting review of national and European environmental legislation and policy requirements and strategically aligning OPW activities with same;

• Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and spreadsheets as data management tools for continuous improvement and expansion of environmental recording processes;

• Supporting preparation of tender specifications, procurement of environmental consultants, tender assessments and associated contract management;

• Assisting the review of environmental reports received from consultants and providing specialist advice to management;

• Representing and liaising with statutory authorities, NGOs and other stakeholders as appropriate and identifying opportunities to collaborate on improving our receiving environment with respect to relevant policy and legislation;

• Representing OPW on environmental committees and interdepartmental groups as required, and acting as a conduit for information flow between OPW and these forums;

• Supporting OPW in maintaining and developing internal work systems that comply with the provisions of ISO 9001 Quality and 18001 Health & Safety;

• Participating in the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS).

About You:

Candidates must have on or before Thursday, 11th September 2025:

1. A qualification at minimum Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualifications equivalent in an Environmental Science or Ecological discipline (or other relevant related disciplines such as Botany, Environmental Biology, Zoology or Hydrology). and have

2. Relevant experience in at least two of the following areas;

a) Implementing environmental legislation pertaining to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Appropriate Assessment (AA), Water Framework Directive (WFD), Habitats Directive and Wildlife Acts;

b) Producing and reviewing environmental assessments, particularly AA Screenings and Natura Impact Statements (NIS), EIA Reports;

c) Environmental survey techniques and environmental scientific monitoring;

d) Developing and Implementing Biodiversity Plans or Projects and habitat enhancement projects; e) Managing environmental compliance on construction sites or aquatic environments and identifying environmental constraints.

3. Experience of collating and managing environmental data, particularly with the use of GIS.

4. A good general knowledge of the ecology of habitats and species found in Ireland including nature conservation legislation, planning and management in Ireland.

5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills (including report writing) with the ability to present complex technical information in a clear, logical and comprehensive manner.

6. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships both internally and externally and confidently liaise with stakeholders on environmental matters.

7. The ability to work under pressure, deal with changing priorities and meet deadlines either alone or as part of a team.

8. Strong organisational skills with good attention to detail.

9. Sound judgement, problem solving, and decision making skills.

10. Good IT skills with experience in standard office software word-processing, spreadsheets and databases.

11. A current full driving licence (Category B), valid in Ireland and have access to a car.

The Closing Date for this competition is Thursday, 11th of September at 3pm.

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.