Senior Ecologist - Bat Specialist

Fehily Timoney and Company (FT) is one of Ireland’s largest Irish owned consultants with centres of excellence in Sustainable Infrastructure, Circular Economy, Environment, and Energy and Planning. FT provides planning, environmental studies, preliminary planning design to our clients in the renewable energy sector and provides design and contract management services for the construction of infrastructure projects such as roads, greenways, bridgeworks, rail, solid waste facilities, renewable energy, drainage, water and wastewater treatment facilities, airports, tunnels and gas pipelines.

FT is looking to recruit a Senior Ecololgist Bat Specialist who will work as an integral member of the FT team in either the Cork, Dublin or Carlow office, aiding the expansion of the environmental business and working closely with fellow professionals. This position offers exposure to a broad range of areas within the environmental sectors, including but not limited to, constraints and feasibility assessment, planning and EIAR, infrastructure design and development.

FT's Responsibilities

As Senior Bat Specialist/Ecologist you will be responsible for managing and overseeing medium/large projects and tenders from inception to finalisation and will report to Principal Ecologist/Technical Director.

• Write reports, analyse bat data, coordinate bat and other ecological surveys and mitigation, write bat survey reports.
• Manage and conduct bat surveys (PRAs of buildings, structures and trees, emergence/re-entry surveys, activity transects, static detectors) and bat mitigation (licence applications, supervision, monitoring).
• Manage project finance and equipment allocation for bat survey schedule, manage staff and subconsultant surveyors, liaise with clients and authorities, check project documentation, designs, drawings and calculations as well as manage and approve changes as they arise when acting as Project Owner.
• Responsible for the upkeep of environmental monitoring and/or surveying equipment, completing chain of custody forms as required.
• Mentor and train early career ecologists on bat survey and bat impact assessment and mitigation.
• Good working knowledge and experience of ecology, legislation, and survey techniques, including protected species surveys and mitigation.
• Strong ability to scope bat survey requirements and design, co-ordinating and undertaking fieldwork for ecological impact assessments and protected species surveys.
• Produce accurate data analysis technical bat reports to a professional standard.
• Act as an Expert Witness at oral hearings when necessary.
• Input into writing of high-quality technical reports i.e. Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Biodiversity Chapters, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Management and Enhancement Plans.
• Assisting with business development by assisting with quotation preparation and ensuring good client relationships.
• Identification of Research opportunities for FT which could benefit business development.
• Working alone and with our existing ecologists in the wider region to ensure quality projects are delivered on time to our clients.
• Completing fieldwork, including out-of-hours surveys, travelling and working away from home as required.
• Keeping self and other team members up-to-date with relevant industry guidelines and emerging science.

Skills / Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in ecology, natural science or a related biological discipline
• Hold or are working towards Chartered discipline status
• A minimum of 8 years post-graduate experience in an environmental position
• Experience of bat impact assessment for wind energy and solar developments
• Availability, ability and willingness to work outside of regular office hours (i.e. early morning and evening work).
• Availability to travel throughout Ireland and overnights away from home.
• Excellent attention to detail
• Be flexible and a good team player
• Excellent report writing and technical reviewing skills
• Experience of engaging with external stakeholders, regulatory bodies and sub-contractors

An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate including a competitive salary, shorter working Friday, medical benefit and professional body support. FT is an equal opportunities employer. Our company culture champions diversity, inclusion and employee wellbeing through ongoing programs. FT encourages continuous professional development, creativity and flexibility. All CVs are treated in the strictest confidence. Please submit your application by e-mail to .

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see our experience

FT ensures expertise from our team of planners, engineers, policy analysts and environmental scientists who are committed to provide solutions for our clients in the private industry. FT’s team with combined engineering and scientific skills in a unified approach achieves the right environmental balance for our clients in the design and construction of the engineered environment.

FT ensures expertise from our team of planners, engineers, policy analysts and environmental scientists who are committed to provide solutions for our clients in the private industry. FT’s team with combined engineering and scientific skills in a unified approach achieves the right environmental balance for our clients in the design and construction of the engineered environment.

“As a Principal Ecologist I lead a team of eight ecologists with a wide range of expertise in the discipline. FT has provided our team with excellent support and training opportunities through ongoing CPD along with both practical and technical experience through the many high profile projects we have worked on.”

Jon Kearney

Jon Kearney

Technical Director

“I’m glad to have completed an engineering internship with FT. The breadth of experience gained, mentorship received and company culture made it a very rewarding experience.”

Dylan Whelan

“The opportunities and experience I have gained from working as part of the FT team has encouraged and very much supported my growth as a Geotechnical Engineer.”

Emily Archer

Emily Archer

Senior Project Geotechnical Engineer

“As a Principal Engineer I have worked on major projects both nationally and internationally. I would highly recommend FT as a company working on best-in-class projects in an organisation where your impact is noticed and rewarded.”

James O'Neill

Principal Engineer

“Since joining FT in 2019 I have very rapidly and significantly expanded on my previous knowledge and experience. Working within a highly skilled and confident multidisciplinary team of experts has undoubtedly been a major positive of my experience in FT to date.”

Eoin O'Connor

Eoin O'Connor

Project Scientist

“As a Principal Ecologist I lead a team of eight ecologists with a wide range of expertise in the discipline. FT has provided our team with excellent support and training opportunities through ongoing CPD along with both practical and technical experience through the many high profile projects we have worked on.”

Jon Kearney

Jon Kearney

Technical Director

“I’m glad to have completed an engineering internship with FT. The breadth of experience gained, mentorship received and company culture made it a very rewarding experience.”

Dylan Whelan

“The opportunities and experience I have gained from working as part of the FT team has encouraged and very much supported my growth as a Geotechnical Engineer.”

Emily Archer

Emily Archer

Senior Project Geotechnical Engineer

“As a Principal Engineer I have worked on major projects both nationally and internationally. I would highly recommend FT as a company working on best-in-class projects in an organisation where your impact is noticed and rewarded.”

James O'Neill

Principal Engineer

“Since joining FT in 2019 I have very rapidly and significantly expanded on my previous knowledge and experience. Working within a highly skilled and confident multidisciplinary team of experts has undoubtedly been a major positive of my experience in FT to date.”

Eoin O'Connor

Eoin O'Connor

Project Scientist

“As a Principal Ecologist I lead a team of eight ecologists with a wide range of expertise in the discipline. FT has provided our team with excellent support and training opportunities through ongoing CPD along with both practical and technical experience through the many high profile projects we have worked on.”