Location
Northern Ireland (home-based, with travel for fieldwork and client meetings as required)

Hours
Full-time, 40 hours per week

Salary
£30,000 per annum

About the Role
Flanagan Ecology is a growing ecological consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering trusted, practical advice. Our projects span a wide range of sectors across Northern Ireland and beyond, including renewable energy, housing, infrastructure, leisure, and minerals. Our ethos is built around autonomy, flexibility, and collaboration. This role is primarily home-based, with flexible working arrangements supported to help balance professional and personal life while staying connected to a supportive, professional team.

We are seeking a Consultant Ecologist to join our expanding Northern Ireland team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ecologist to contribute to high-profile projects, gain exposure across diverse sectors, and further develop professional skills.

Key responsibilities include undertaking ecological field surveys such as Phase 1 habitat surveys, protected species surveys, botanical surveys, and habitat condition assessments; leading survey planning, data collection, and reporting to professional standards (CIEEM, BS 42020, NIEA requirements); preparing ecological reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), and Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA); providing advice on biodiversity enhancement, mitigation, and habitat management aligned with Northern Ireland environmental legislation; supporting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) chapters and planning submissions; liaising with clients, statutory bodies, and stakeholders; contributing to habitat restoration and nature recovery projects; maintaining up-to-date knowledge of UK and Northern Ireland wildlife legislation, policy, and guidance; ensuring all work complies with health, safety, and environmental best practices; and mentoring junior ecologists to develop team capability.

Experience
- Minimum of 2–3 years’ professional ecological consultancy experience in the UK or Ireland
- Strong field survey skills including habitat classification (UKHab/Phase 1) and at least one protected species specialism (e.g. bats, badgers, birds, otters, newts)
- Experience producing technical ecological reports to a high standard
- Knowledge of UK and Northern Ireland wildlife legislation, planning policy, and protected species licensing procedures
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) or working towards membership
- Full driving licence and willingness to travel throughout Northern Ireland and occasionally further afield

About you
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail with the ability to meet tight deadlines, ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, flexible, motivated, and committed to high standards of environmental practice.

Qualifications
- A good degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline
- Postgraduate qualification in Ecology or related subject (desirable)
- Protected species survey licences (e.g. bat, newt) (desirable)
- Experience of peatland, upland, or freshwater ecology (desirable)
- GIS skills, ideally QGIS, for mapping and data analysis (desirable)
- Experience working with government agencies, NGOs, or utilities/infrastructure projects in Northern Ireland (desirable)