Department of Agriculture hiring

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has a number of vacancies for the role of ecologist.

The posts may be located at any of its headquarters in Dublin, Backwesston, Portlaoise, or Wexford, or regional offices.

Following an assessment process, candidates who achieve the qualifying standard will be placed on an order of merit and assigned to fill vacancies as they arise.

The order of merit remains in force for a period of up to two years from the date of the first appointment or until exhausted.

Responsibilities

Depending on the work assigned, and working as part of a team, the successful candidate may be required to perform one or a combination of the following tasks:

• Assess forestry licence and scheme applications, including their potential impact on flora, fauna, habitats or the environment and to provide advice and/or recommendations in respect of the protection of such flora, fauna, habitats or the environment;
• Analyse technical information on ecology in connection with the Appropriate Assessment process, these may be ecology reports or Natura Impact Statements (NISs) and to prepare Appropriate Assessment Reports (for files where no NIS submitted) and Appropriate Assessment Determinations;
• Following desk audit to carry out site inspections in connection with proposed agricultural and forestry activities to assess biodiversity and ecological factors and to provide specific advice/recommendations;
• Assess Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) applications, including their potential impact on flora, fauna, habitats or the environment and to provide advice and recommendations in respect of the protection of such flora, fauna, habitats or the environment;
• Input to guidelines, scheme documents, plans etc in respect of the biodiversity content of Schemes and measures under Pillar I or II of the Common Agricultural Policy and Forestry Programme;
• Work closely with staff and provide support for the implementation of the RDP programme and the Forestry Programme to the best environmental standards;
• Provide specialist biodiversity advice on policy as required;
• Engage in consultation with other Government Departments and Agencies, environmental NGOs, and the general public;
• Prepare and deliver internal and external training courses;
• Any other duties appropriate to the grade as the Minister may decide; and
• Supervision, training and management of staff.

Entry requirements:  

Candidates must, on or before February 8^th, 2021:

• Hold a primary degree qualification at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in Botany, Zoology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Wildlife Biology or Wildlife Science that is acceptable to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with either:
• A minimum 2.2 Honours result (i.e. Grade Point Average equivalent to or greater than 2.48 out of 4.20 in their level 8 degree);
• or: an additional and higher qualification (level 9 or 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in Botany, Zoology, Ecology or Environmental Science, that is acceptable to the DAFM and;
• Have a least 18 months satisfactory work experience as a professional ecologist, including assessing and evaluating biodiversity issues, such experience having been gained after attaining their Level 8 qualification. Experience gained while working for a post-graduate qualification, or while undertaking post-doctoral research, may, if relevant, count towards this requirement.

Salary:

Personal Pension Contribution (PPC)
€34,650, €37,456, €38,383, €41,501, €44,622, €47,743, €49,668, €51,592, €53,522, €55,447, €57,374, €59,303, €61,224, €63,158 (NMAX), €65,302 (LSI 1), €67,440 (LSI 2)

How to apply

You can download an application form.

All sections of the form must be fully completed in Word document format and submitted by way of email to – [email protected] – with the subject heading: Ecologist – AAI – 2021.

Closing date

Your application must be submitted no later than 4pm on Monday, February 8^th, 2021.

All queries relating to this Department of Agriculture recruitment campaign should be directed to: [email protected] with the subject heading: Ecologist – AAI – 2021.

Applications will not be accepted after this date.

More information about the role, including desirable requirements, competencies and selection process.