Senior Aquatic / Fisheries Specialist

Job Details

We are growing our Ecology and Environmental Services team in Ireland and are looking for an experienced Senior Aquatic Ecologist to play a leading technical role in delivering complex freshwater ecology and aquatic biodiversity projects across Ireland and internationally.

You will work across major infrastructure, transport, renewable energy, water, flood risk, and development projects — providing technical leadership in freshwater ecology, fisheries, aquatic habitats, Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessment, Appropriate Assessment (AA), Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), and biodiversity enhancement. This role offers a genuine opportunity to influence sustainable project outcomes, restore and enhance freshwater environments, and help clients deliver positive biodiversity and nature results.

As a Senior Aquatic / Fisheries Specialist at Arup, you will:
 

• Lead freshwater ecology inputs to environmental assessments, planning applications, and major infrastructure projects — taking technical ownership of freshwater and aquatic ecology workstreams, designing and managing baseline studies and monitoring programmes, and delivering outputs that meet the highest technical standards.
• Undertake and review ecological assessments — including Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Natura Impact Statements, Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR), Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments, and Biodiversity Net Gain and Nature Positive assessments.
• Provide specialist technical advice on river and stream ecology, fisheries and fish passage, freshwater habitats and species, aquatic macroinvertebrates, white-clawed crayfish, water-dependent habitats, and protected sites; develop mitigation, compensation, and enhancement strategies for aquatic receptors.
• Deliver projects to programme and quality — ensuring outputs are produced on time, within budget, and to Arup's quality standards; contributing to project management, commercial performance, and resource planning across the team.
• Prepare and review technical reports — producing clear, well-evidenced environmental assessments and technical reports for clients, regulators, and planning authorities; engaging directly with clients and statutory bodies to support project delivery.
• Mentor and develop junior staff — supporting the professional growth of junior ecologists, contributing to knowledge sharing within Arup's global ecology network, and helping to shape the future of aquatic ecology practice within the team.

Requirements

We are looking for someone who brings a combination of the following. If you don't meet every single point but believe you'd thrive in this role, we'd still love to hear from you.
 

• Academic background: Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Freshwater Biology, Fisheries Biology, Zoology, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional qualification and experience. Postgraduate qualification (MSc or equivalent) in a relevant discipline is strongly preferred.
• Freshwater ecology experience: Typically 5+ years' experience in freshwater ecology and environmental consultancy, with a strong track record of delivering freshwater ecology assessments for infrastructure, water, energy, or development projects; demonstrable experience in EcIA, Appropriate Assessment, EIAR preparation, WFD assessment, and freshwater habitat and species surveys, including Freshwater Pearl Mussel mitigation.
• Legislative and policy knowledge: Detailed knowledge of Irish and EU environmental legislation and policy, including the Habitats Directive, Birds Directive, Water Framework Directive, Wildlife Acts, and Planning and Development legislation.
• Project and client management: Proven experience managing projects, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams; you produce clear, well-evidenced technical outputs, manage competing priorities effectively, and engage clients and regulators with confidence.
• Mobility: Full driving licence, or ability to demonstrate equivalent mobility to meet the travel requirements of this role.
• Desirable: Chartered Ecologist (CEcol), Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), or equivalent professional accreditation; experience in fish passage assessment, river restoration, and nature-based solutions; GIS proficiency (ArcGIS Pro or QGIS).

Contact Information

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