BAU Forest Ecologist

Role Objective

Provide ecological expertise that supports sustainable forest management, regulatory compliance, and operational delivery within the Business Area Units (BAUs) across Coillte Forest. Work closely with internal Coillte Forest teams, external ecological contractors, and regulatory stakeholders, to provide ecological requirements for forest planning and operations and manage risk in ecologically sensitive areas in compliance with certification, environmental, and quality standards. Contribute to applied ecological research relevant to forest management and improve understanding of species and habitat interactions within commercial forests.

Terms & Conditions

Reports to: Ecology Services Lead

Contract: Permanent

Location: Geographical, By Agreement

Responsibilities

Specialist Services

• Act as the Ecology Services Team point of contact for assigned Business Area Units, providing timely, practical, and technically robust ecological advice and guidance to support forestry decision-making.
• Identify ecological requirements to support forest planning and operations and coordinate the delivery of surveys, assessments, and technical reporting in line with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, and best practice guidelines.
• Undertake ecological surveys and reporting as required, including surveys for protected habitats, species, and other ecological sensitivities relevant to forestry operations.
• Manage external contractors to ensure the effective delivery of ecological inputs to the required quality, cost, and timeframe standards. Review outputs to ensure technical quality and accuracy.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant environmental legislation, policy, and guidance, ensuring advice reflects current regulatory requirements.
• Appropriately manage ecological datasets, protecting confidentiality as required while ensuring that Coillte staff are appropriately briefed on individual site sensitivities.

Operations

• Contribute to the delivery of applied ecological research relevant to forest management, e.g. protected species interactions with commercial forestry, and translate research outputs into practical recommendations.
• Develop and maintain ecological best practice guidance to support forestry operations.
• Provide expert ecological advice to Coillte staff and management and promote consistent application of sound ecological mitigation measures across Coillte’s operations.

External Focus: Customers, Stakeholders

• Represent Coillte in ecological discussions with external stakeholders. Communicate ecological information, and operational approaches effectively to build understanding and maintain positive relationships with external stakeholders.
• Engage with relevant regulatory authorities, statutory bodies, environmental organisations, and technical stakeholders to support clear communication and alignment on ecological requirements.
• Ensure excellent stakeholder relationships and effectively promote Coillte brand locally and nationally.

People, Culture

• Promote a safe working environment for staff and visitors.
• Act as a role model for the Group’s values.
• Promote the values of nature conservation and biodiversity, and its relevance to a successful commercial forestry business.

Behavioural Competencies

• Leadership: A highly credible individual with effective leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Muti-tasking: A highly organised individual that can manage a complex workload, work to tight deadlines, prioritising and executing operational initiatives. Ability to work calmly under pressure and within a small, dynamic team.
• Communication: Highly skilled in report-writing and presenting information.
• Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, to build and develop effective relationships with Coillte Forest staff, service providers, and stakeholders.
• Decision-making: Solution-oriented with sound judgement.
• Time Management: Capacity to manage a varied brief and prioritise effectively.
• Managing Change and Ambiguity: Openness to change and the capacity to deal comfortably with risk and uncertainty.
• Execution Excellence: The capacity to reduce complexity, simplify, organise, and create structure.
• Attention to Detail: Highly skilled in conducting detailed review of documents and data, collating the information to provide an accurate analysis and summary of the relevant information.
• Teamwork: Good team player who can make an important contribution to the wider Environment, Social and Governance Team.

Desired Technical Competencies

• Education and Experience: Qualification in Ecology or related discipline, to FETAC level 8 or higher with a minimum of 3 years’ professional experience in the delivery of ecological requirements. Strong ecological survey experience required. Specialist protected species expertise (e.g. birds) and/or knowledge of forest operations would be an advantage.
• Advocacy / PR: Ability to liaise effectively with a range of stakeholders and key influencers and negotiate sustainable positions.
• Project Management: Demonstrable experience in project management and delivery, including team management, budget oversight, and reporting.
• Regulatory Compliance: Excellent working knowledge and experience of regulatory compliance standards including Appropriate Assessment and compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directives and the Wildlife Acts; a commitment to promoting a safe-working environment and ensuring compliance with environmental, regulatory, and quality standards.

Our Company Values

• Committed
• Resourceful
• Collaborative
• Knowledge-Led