Senior Ecologist

Looking for a role where you can make a real difference in nature conservation? Excited by the
idea of working at a landscape scale in habitats including peatland, wet grassland and seabird
islands on iconic species such as corncrake and curlew? We are looking for a knowledgeable,
dynamic and passionate ecologist to lead on providing ecological and conservation management
advice to our ten reserves in Northern Ireland but also helping to deliver some ambitious
landscape scale programmes. You will work closely with the Northern Ireland leadership and
operational teams as well as being part of a wider UK Ecology team.

What’s the role about? 

The postholder will play a key role in reserve management planning, review and audit,
evaluating the expected ecological performance of any potential new land acquisitions and
contributing to the development and delivery of landscape scale programmes by providing
conservation management advice to reserves staff, project officers, project managers and other
teams. This could include habitat design, carrying out relevant survey and monitoring
activities, managing relevant data and producing reports as well as consulting and working with
other members of the Ecology team or relevant experts in other organisations.

As the Lead Ecologist for RSPB Northern Ireland, you will be expected to have an overview of
species and habitat management and contribute to developing and delivering the RSPB’s
conservation strategy in Northern Ireland. This will include developing productive working
relationships with staff in other organisations as part of our wider partnership work. As a
member of the wider UK Ecology leadership team, you will take a key role in team development
and work programming, which may include line management.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Extensive knowledge of ecology and habitat management across a range of habitats
• Specialist knowledge of conservation management of at least one habitat
• Broad knowledge of natural history, including ecological processes and species from a wide
  range of taxonomic groups.
• Ability to influence others to change their land management practices
• Ability to translate technical ecological knowledge to land management practice
• Experience of project management, including supervising staff and the ability to meet
  deadlines
• Ability to analyse data and to write clear and concise reports
• Proven experience of giving advice on conservation management in a broad range of contexts
• Experience of carrying out research, survey and monitoring
• Ability to work alone and under own initiative as well as part of a multidisciplinary team
  including working collaboratively with other partner organisations
• Ability to work flexibly and travel widely throughout Northern Ireland, a UK driving
  licence is essential

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Experience of using statistical & GIS mapping packages 
• Experience of nature reserve management planning 
• Experience in dealing with press and media 

This is a Permanent role for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 16th September
2024. For further information please contact [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including
evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels
supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world
richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of
colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate,
sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled,
we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any
additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have
a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.