Environmental Scientist

Background The Environmental Policy and Compliance (EP&C) Section provides environmentally related technical, legal 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, etc. In addition, the EP&C Section has the role of ensuring TII is compliant 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 European Union (Roads Act 1993) (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 created a regulatory regime that makes TII an environmental condition enforcement authority in respect of national roads (which require EIA) proposed by road authorities. Where An Bord Pleanla (APB) makes an order in respect of such projects, roads authorities must notify TII of the environmental conditions specified in the order. TII is then bound to take reasonable steps to ensure that roads authorities comply with the specified environment conditions. The following role is to provide additional environmental expertise to the EP&C Section to put in place procedures to implement this regulatory regime as required by the European Union (Roads Act 1993) (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 and to advise Public Transport Capital Programme on the environmental condition enforcement regime set out in the Transport Railway Infrastructure Act 2001. The role also includes responsibility for the management of TIIs Environmental Management System. This role requires expertise in environmental monitoring and reporting and in the management and implementation of environmental management systems. Role and Responsibilities Specific responsibilities include: Develop standard operating processes for undertaking monitoring and reporting of compliance with ABP environmental conditions as set out in planning consents for local authority national road projects that are subject to the EIA process. Liaise with relevant local authorities and undertake regular formal site audits of environmental mitigation and monitoring measures identified to reduce significant environmental impacts of national road construction projects. Provide advice in the review of project environmental condition implementation to ensure that all transport infrastructure projects deliver the commitments identified during the planning stages as required by the European Union (Roads Act 1993) (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2019. Advise Public Transport Capital Programme on the environmental condition enforcement regime set out in the Transport Railway Infrastructure Act 2001 where the Minister for Transport acts as environmental condition enforcer in respect of railway order projects. Prepare progress reports on projects for TIIs Governance and Legal Section, relevant Regional Managers and Engineering Inspectors from Road Capital Programme and the EP&C Section. Manage and audit TIIs Environmental Management System to ISO and set procedures in place to integrate the EMS with other ISO management standards to which TII is already certified e.g., quality, occupational health and safety etc. Participate in the management of national and Conference of the European Directors of Roads transnational research projects and other research projects related to relevant environmental matters. Liaise with the Department of Transport, Department of Environment, Climate & Communications, Environmental Protection Agency, Local Authorities and other relevant stakeholders on relevant environmental matters related to the planning, construction and operation of major transport infrastructure projects, when appropriate. Assist in the 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. Participate in the development and contribute to the content of the environmental section on the TII website. Attend/present at relevant conferences on behalf of TII. Other tasks Undertaking such other tasks, activities or other duties as may be required or assigned as appropriate to the grade All the 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 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 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 thekey competencies for a Grade 1 position as identified in Appendix A, as well as the followingjob-specific requirements: Essential A recognised third level degree qualification (NFQ Level 8), in environmental science/civil engineering, (or equivalent discipline) A minimum of seven years relevant post-graduate working experience as an environmental/civil engineering professional in a responsible position. Be a full member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) or an equivalent organisation or a member of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland (Engineers Ireland) or hold equivalent membership of an equivalent professional body that represents engineers or environmental professionals. Experience in the design and/or delivery of transport infrastructure projects. Awareness of the interaction of road and light rail engineering and environment with particular emphasis on environmental monitoring and reporting. A high standard of technical training, analytical skills and IT proficiency. A strong commitment to promoting environmental best practice and ensuring that environmental mitigation measures (especially environmental mitigation measure) implemented on major transport infrastructure projects deliver the functions that they were designed for. Excellent organisation and administrative skills and an ability to work on own initiative. Fluency in the English language, both written and oral. Full driving licence Desirable: A masters degree (NFQ Level 9 or equivalent) in environmental science/civil engineering which had a focus on auditing/quality management systems. Have technical knowledge of, and be up to date with, relevant legislation, policy and TII environmental standards for road construction, the relevant EIA planning legislation and the criteria for evaluation and classification of the significance of impacts. Excellent working knowledge of environmental legislation related to environment. Experience in delivering environmental commitments identified in EIARs for national road and public transport projects. ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Certification and experience in the implementation of Environmental Management Systems. Knowledge of and experience in sustainable asset management including, noise, drainage, ecological mitigation measures and management of roadside landscapes. 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 by clicking Apply. The closing date for applications is 12pm Friday 4th April at 12pm. Transport Infrastructure Ireland is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.