Jobs in Dublin and across Ireland, straight from employers.

Ecology Lead

On-site in Ireland·Added 7 days ago (last checked 23 Oct)

Uisce Éireann

64 open roles

Apply

Our summary

Work mode: On-site, Ireland
Experience: 5+ years

Skills

This job advert was originally written in GA.

Requirements

What we're looking for

A full clean Irish Driving Licence is necessary for this role
Ability to develop and maintain effective strategic partnerships with key stakeholders internally and externally and offer guidance and support to make the right decisions
Proven track record with dealing with complex issues, proactively and in a timely fashion along with the ability to communicate complex information to others
Highly motivated individual, working to the highest professional and ethical standards with proven ability to deliver results
Experience in managing end-to-end processes to ensure delivery meets customer expectations
Demonstrated people management experience, guiding a team to work together and offer support to make the right decisions
Strong analytical skills and ability to identify and analyse problems and potential improvements, and propose and implement solutions
Demonstrate adaptability and the ability to change focus and direction in line with business strategy and requirements
Competence in leading by example in challenging situations and taking action based off team feedback
Proactively identifying new areas of improvement and using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job
Experience in contributing to a safe working environment by checking regularly that safety and wellbeing practices are being followed

Nice to have

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Relevant third level qualification and/or accreditation is desirable
A minimum of 5 years' experience in the water, utilities or similar industries is desirable and/or relevant experience
The ability to effectively develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders and provide guidance and support to make the right decisions
Proven ability to deal with complex issues, proactively and in a timely fashion, as well as the ability to communicate complex information to others
A highly motivated individual who is expected to work to the highest professional and ethical standards possible. A proven ability to achieve results is also required.
Be supportive of end-to-end processes to ensure customers receive the service they expect.
Implicit experience in managing people, guiding a team to work together and providing support to make the right decisions.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to identify and analyse problems and potential improvements, and propose and implement solutions
The ability to deal with various pressures and the ability to shift focus and direction to align with strategy and business requirements
Accountability in providing leadership by example in challenging situations and taking action based on team insight.
Proactively identifying new areas for improvement and using newly acquired information and skills on the job
Experience in taking responsibility for ensuring a safe working environment through regular checks to ensure compliance with safety and security practices
Relevant third level qualification and or accreditation is desirable
A minimum of 5 years' Experience in the water, utilities or similar industries is desirable and or relevant experience

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

*Please be advised that if successful you will be placed on the salary range based on your skills and experience. Please note the Market reference point (midpoint) of the range is generally the upper end of the offer where someone is deemed to be fully competent to take on the duties of the role, and leaves room for the employee to progress through the pay range as their experience develops further.

The role

The Asset and Sustainability Management remit is responsible for developing social policies, strategies and plans to secure the significant investment required to support Ireland's infrastructure. The remit drives investment and the Sustainability and Innovation programme for the organisation and takes leadership of Environmental Regulation and Compliance activities, ensuring continuous monitoring of water quality and waste. The Asset Management function is responsible for strategic planning, undertaking proactive measures and developing Uisce Éireann's Capital Asset pipelines. The role plays a central part in coordinating and promoting collaborative activities across the three asset functions as well as providing environmental assessment and management expertise across Uisce Éireann.

The responsibility of the Strategic Asset Team is to develop strategic plans for all water, waste and natural assets and to ensure the authorisation of the asset base. The team's scope of responsibility covers 5 key areas: environmental strategy, water asset strategy, waste asset strategy, development planning and planning strategy.

Reporting to the Environmental and Ecology Manager, the Ecology Lead is responsible for ensuring compliance with ecological regulatory requirements and the delivery of the Capital Investment Plan (CIP). The role holder implements standardized approaches across the division through policies, procedures and best practice to support Uisce Éireann during project scoping, feasibility, design and construction stages and programme delivery, and the operation and maintenance of those assets. The role holder will support Uisce Éireann in obtaining relevant statutory consents and permissions. The role holder also ensures that external service providers are aligned with relevant policy and that they work collaboratively across the business by coordinating activities with other ecological/environmental functions to develop relationships with external stakeholders.

The Asset Management and Sustainability area is responsible for the development of asset policies, strategies and plans to determine the significant investment required into Ireland's infrastructure. The area drives investment and the Sustainability and Innovation agenda for the organisation and leads on Environmental Regulation and Compliance activities, ensuring the quality of water and wastewater is continuously monitored. The Asset Management function is responsible for strategic planning, prioritisation, and development of Uisce Éireann's Capital Works pipeline. The function plays a key role in promoting collaboration and co-ordination of activities across the three asset functions as well as providing environmental assessment and management expertise across Uisce Éireann.

The Asset Strategy Team responsibility is to develop strategic plans for all water, wastewater and natural assets and to ensure the authorisation of the asset base. The scope of the team's responsibility covers 5 main areas: environmental strategy, water asset strategy, wastewater asset strategy, forward planning and planning strategy.

Reporting to the Environmental and Ecology Manager, the Ecology Lead is responsible for ensuring ecological regulatory requirements are met in the delivery of the Capital Investment Plan (CIP). The role holder contributes to a standardised approach across the department through the application of policies, procedures, and best practice to support Uisce Éireann during the scoping, feasibility, design and construction phases of delivering projects & programmes, and the operation and maintenance of such assets. The role holder will support Uisce Éireann in obtaining relevant statutory consents and licences. The role holder also ensures that external service providers are following relevant policy and works collaboratively across the business through coordination of activity with other ecological/ environmental functions to build relationships with external stakeholders.

What you'll do

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Managing necessary external resources and carrying out technical assessment of relevant Appropriate Assessments required as part of the Waste Water Discharge and Water Abstraction Authorisation processes.
Providing advice on ecological risk to projects and mitigating it, and coordinating critical support in matters relating to ecological advice and related planning requirements for the Business.
Responsible for ensuring that Programme and Project Managers are fully appraised of ecological regulatory requirements and the implications therein.
Provide expert ecological advice to Programme Managers, Project Managers and External Service Providers regarding regulatory obligations related to ecological matters both before and after planning and development respectively.
Responsible for providing a consistent ecological approach related to delivery of the CIP.
Leading the management of ecological technical stakeholders with planning consent authorities, licensing authorities and statutory consultees.
Responsible for horizon scanning to identify further legislative requirements in support of ecological and environmental planning at national and EU levels.
Ensure that Project Managers are aware of the implications arising from ecological case law for the project/programme.
Manage Appropriate Assessment (AA) processes, including technical reviews of Screening for AA reports and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) reports and ensuring they comply with regulatory obligations.
Oversee the service providers undertaking the AA process and undertake a technical review of every AA determination.
Responsible for producing/reviewing AA Screening Reports if required by Programme Managers/Project Managers.
Provide expert technical advice, including reviews of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR) and assist with the coordination of the EIA process for Asset Delivery projects.
Review technical reports including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), AA Screening, NISs, EIARs, and Method Statements applicable to either plans and/or projects.
Support the Business with any oral hearings, court cases, etc. as required.
Ensure that projects adhere to Invasive Species policy and guidance and prepare and/or review Invasive Species Management Plans.
Ensuring that projects comply with biodiversity management policies and guidelines, in particular Uisce Éireann policy.
Developing and promoting effective working relationships with other ecological and environmental functions within Uisce Éireann.
Actively developing and maintaining skills and expertise in a number of areas relating to the ecological and environmental field.
Effectively presenting technical information, in a format that is easy for statutory and non-statutory stakeholders to understand, in collaboration with technical, environmental and planning experts.
Reviewing submissions from stakeholders and providing expert responses to them.
To carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by Uisce Éireann
Collaborating with key internal stakeholders across the Uisce Éireann business
Responsible for promoting and delivering health and safety commitments across UÉ and the supply chain, strengthening design incorporates and ensuring health and safety goals and requirements are met to the highest standards in the industry
Support the delivery of the Uisce Éireann Transformation Programme, driving required results within the Directorate and supporting organisation-wide objectives
Perform duties and responsibilities in accordance with Uisce Éireann Information Security policies, standards, processes and controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Uisce Éireann business information, and deliver critical services in accordance with the NIS (Network and Information Security) Directive and any other relevant cybersecurity regulation.
Other duties as required
Manage necessary external resources and undertake technical evaluation on relevant Appropriate Assessments required as part of the Wastewater Discharge and Water Abstraction Authorisation processes.
Advise on and mitigate ecological risk on projects, and coordinate key support in matters related to ecological advice and related planning requirements to the Business.
Carry out ecology related site visits and facilitate on-site project meetings as required
Responsible for ensuring that Programme and Project Managers are fully appraised of ecological regulatory requirements and implications therein.
Provide expert ecological advice to Programme Managers, Project Managers and External Service Providers on statutory obligations relating to ecological matters both pre- and post-planning and exempted development.
Responsible for the provision of a consistent ecological approach related to delivery of the CIP.
Lead on ecological technical stakeholder management with planning consent authorities, licensing authorities and statutory consultees.
Responsible for horizon scanning for the identification of further legislative requirements with regards to ecological and environmental planning at national and EU levels.
Ensure that Project Managers are aware of implications to project / programme from determinations stemming from ecological case law.
Manage Appropriate Assessment (AA) processes including technical reviews of Screenings for AA reports and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) reports ensuring that they are in line with statutory obligations.
Have oversight of the service providers undertaking the AA process and undertake a technical review of all AA determinations.
Responsible for producing / reviewing AA Screening Reports if required by Programme Managers / Project Managers.
Provide expert technical advice, including reviews of Environmental Impact Assessments Reports (EIAR) and assist with the coordination of the EIA process for Asset Delivery projects.
Review technical reports including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), AA Screening, NISs, EIARs, Method Statements applicable to either plans and/ or projects.
Support the Business on any oral hearings, court cases, etc. as required.
Ensure that projects adhere to Invasive Species policy and guidance and prepare and/ or review of Invasive Species Management Plans.
Ensure that projects adhere to Biodiversity management policy and guidance, in particular Uisce Éireann policy.
Develop and promote effective working relationships with other ecological and environmental functions within Uisce Éireann.
Actively develop and maintain skills and expertise across a number of areas that are relevant to the ecological and environmental field.
Effectively present technical information, in an easy-to-understand format to statutory and non-statutory stakeholders, in conjunction with technical, environmental and planning experts.
Review submissions from stakeholders and provide expert responses to these.
Perform other such duties as Uisce Éireann may reasonably require.
Collaboration with key internal stakeholders across the UÉ business
Responsible for promoting and delivering health and safety commitments across UÉ and its supply chain, reinforcing positive behaviours and delivering health and safety objectives and requirements to the highest industry standards
Support the delivery of the Uisce Éireann Transformation Programme, driving results required within the Directorate and supporting organisation-wide objectives
Conducts duties and responsibilities in accordance with Uisce Éireann's Information Security policies, standards, processes and controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UÉ business information and delivery of critical services, in accordance with the NIS Directive and any other relevant cybersecurity regulation

Hiring process

The closing date for applications to this vacancy is 11/11/2026.

Please note that no applications will be accepted after this closing date.

*Please note that you will be placed on the salary range based on your skills and experience, if successful. Please note that the mentioned Market point (midpoint) of the range is generally the highest part of the offer, when a person is considered fully capable of undertaking the duties of the role, and the opportunity is given to the employee to progress through the range as their experience develops further.

The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is 11/11/2026.

Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.

About Uisce Éireann

Industry: Utilities

In their own words

About the company & team

We are Uisce Éireann. Every day, we are responsible for providing safe, secure and sustainable water services to the people of Ireland. As Ireland's national regulated water utility, our vision is for Ireland to be sustainable, where water is valued and protected, for the planet and for all the lives it sustains.

Uisce Éireann's purpose is to be accountable for the challenge of providing essential water services so that communities can thrive. This means we are proud to take responsibility for protecting our water supply and advancing a safe water system to a rapidly growing population and empowering Ireland's social and economic growth.

We are passionate about empowering our people, enabling them to have a positive impact on communities across Ireland. Shared vision and purpose guide us, and we adhere to values that define who we are and shape how we work, how we serve customers and communities, how we work better together, how we do the right thing, how we strive for excellence, and how we keep each other safe. It is through our behaviour that we define how we interact and communicate with each other, and how we succeed together. These values and behaviours apply to everyone we have, across every role, location, and level.

Our goal is to attract and develop trained and capable people from diverse backgrounds, and these people will provide a dynamic range of expertise and insight to our work. And with a strong values-based workforce at Uisce Éireann, we ensure that we can advance Ireland's water services and meet the needs of the communities we serve, and that we can continue this work for generations to come.

Additional information

Uisce Éireann is a commercial entity.

We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace and we have a strong strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunities employer and through our recruitment process, we encourage and welcome applications from individuals who are interested and suitably qualified regardless of gender, age, ethnic or national origin, membership of the travelling community, religion or belief, marital or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.

We are Uisce Éireann. Every day, we are responsible for the delivery of secure, safe, and sustainable water services for the people of Ireland. As Ireland's national regulated water utility, our vision is a sustainable Ireland where water is respected and protected, for the planet and all the lives it supports.

Our purpose at Uisce Éireann is to rise to the challenge of delivering transformative water services that enable communities to thrive. That means we are proud to take on the responsibility of protecting our water supply and passing on a safe and secure water system to a rapidly growing population and empowering Ireland's social and economic growth.

We are passionate about empowering our people, enabling them to make a positive impact on communities across Ireland. We are guided by a shared vision and purpose, grounded in values that define who we are and shape how we work, where we deliver for customers and communities, we work better together, we do the right thing, we aim high, and we keep each other safe. Our behaviours define how we interact, communicate, and succeed together. These values and behaviours apply to each one of us, across every role, location, and level.

Our goal is to attract and develop skilled and talented people from diverse backgrounds, who bring a dynamic range of expertise and insights to our work. With a strong, values-driven workforce, we ensure Uisce Éireann can continue advancing Ireland's water services and meeting the needs of the communities we serve for generations to come.

Uisce Éireann is an equal opportunities employer.

We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.

All open roles at Uisce Éireann