Project Ornithologist

MKO is Ireland’s largest Planning and Environmental consultancy.

Our team of 200+ experienced professionals work across the planning, environmental, ecology and related fields. We deliver challenging and complex projects for our clients and have an unrivalled track record of success. We add real value to our client’s projects through our multi-disciplinary expertise and a broad range of nationwide experience.

Our success and growth rests entirely on the knowledge, skills, ambition and integrity of our people, and we value these qualities most highly. We are forward-thinking and work with a can-do attitude, which nurtures people, ideas and opportunities to help maximise potential.

Through our work, we aim to leave a legacy we can all be proud of.

Job Description

MKO is seeking to recruit a Project Ornithologist to work primarily on the environmental impact assessment of projects in the wind energy and renewables sectors. Recent and relevant experience in these areas is essential. The position available will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to work on the assessment of large-scale infrastructural projects utilising the various skills they may have acquired through formal training, personal interest and previous work experience.

The key responsibilities associated with the role will include:

• Preparation, compilation and project management of assessments being prepared by the MKO Ornithology team, from inception to completion
• Undertaking background research, desk studies and ornithological fieldwork and impact assessment reporting, to best-practice guidelines and methodologies
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and project stakeholders
• Reviewing outputs from other Ornithology team members, and providing guidance and mentoring for more junior team members
• Prioritising assigned workload while balancing client expectations, available resources and project deadlines
• Efficiently managing interactions with project team members and liaising with client representatives to progress projects effectively
• Finding solutions to ornithological challenges on projects and delivering fit for purpose project outputs within set deadlines
• Regular reporting to Project Directors on project progress

The successful candidate would be expected to:

• Work as part of the MKO Ornithology team to deliver project requirements
• Manage the ornithological contributions to environmental impact assessments on medium to large scale renewable energy projects from inception to completion
• Have excellent ornithological field skills, highlighting any specialist expertise (either academic or interest) in their application
• Have an in-depth knowledge of a broad range of environmental issues, fundamental to the preparation of high-quality, environmental impact assessments.

Prospective candidates will be expected to have excellent report writing skills, be well organised with meticulous attention to detail while also managing a varied and full workload. The candidate should thrive in a busy work environment and on delivering to required project deadlines.

The successful candidates will have a minimum of 3-5 years post-graduate ornithological assessment experience, ideally in a consultancy environment.