Environmental Specialist - Barrier Mitigation Division

Inland Fisheries Ireland has an exciting new role for a Environmental Specialist to join our team.

This role may be based at any of IFI’s regional offices; Citywest, Dublin / Clonmel, Tipperary / Macroom, Cork / Limerick City, Limerick / Galway City, Galway / Ballina, Mayo / Ballyshannon, Donegal.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) presents an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified person to join the National Barrier Mitigation Programme 2024-2027 (NBMP) as part of a new team within the organization. This role will primarily focus on providing environmental coordination and ecological expertise to support the remediation works required to successfully mitigate or remove barriers to fish migration across Ireland.

ABOUT US

Inland Fisheries Ireland are the environmental agency responsible for protecting, managing and conserving Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

More information can be found by visiting our website.

VISION, MISSION & VALUES

Vision

To place the inland fisheries resource in the best sustainable position possible for the benefit of future generations.

Mission

To protect, manage and conserve Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources and to maximise their sustainability and natural biodiversity.

Values

• We work collaboratively with professionalism
• We are open, transparent and accountable
• We act with respect and integrity
• We are committed to stewardship and sustainability

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Manage and support the day-to-day delivery of NBMP projects
• Work closely with colleagues in the National Barrier Mitigation Programme to facilitate the implementation of barrier removal or mitigation projects, ensuring all environmental regulations are met
• Gather, collate, and source essential project data, including Appropriate Assessment (AA) documents, Water Framework Directive (WFD) information, hydromorphology data, and water quality metrics
• Evaluate, prepare and present findings on environmental aspects of technical proposals, and make recommendations for incorporation into design and specifications
• Oversee and track the progress of environmental evaluations and assessments through the IFI Appropriate Assessment Determination process, ensuring timely completion and compliance with all relevant directives
• Conduct ad-hoc screenings for Appropriate Assessment in relation to projects, providing evaluations to support decision-making
• Prepare and develop Construction Environmental and Management Plans (CEMP)
• Provide training and mentorship to IFI staff in the preparation of screenings for Appropriate Assessment, enhancing the team’s capacity to comply with environmental regulations
• Deliver critical environmental information and updates to IFI senior management and consenting authorities 

Management

• Tendering and Procurement Documentation: Produce and manage tendering and procurement documents for barrier mitigation projects, ensuring all contracts are aligned with environmental and legal standards
• Coordinate or procure necessary environmental evaluations and assessments, ensuring that all required documentation is available and complies with regulatory standards
• Collaborate closely with the NBMP team to advance project applications, ensuring smooth progression through each phase of development
• Provide expert guidance on compliance with the Habitats Directive and Water Framework Directive and related regulations to IFI staff in the NBMP team,
• Develop and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments for the barrier mitigation process, ensuring best practices are consistently applied

Survey

• Assist in conducting fish stock, habitat, and water quality surveys to support the development and execution of barrier mitigation projects
• Compile comprehensive project information to support planning and execution
• Review and provide feedback on Appropriate Assessment deliverables, supporting the alignment of IFI plans, projects, and activities with environmental objectives
• Stay informed of international best practices in river restoration and barrier removal/mitigation methodologies and incorporate relevant innovations into project planning and execution

Data Collation & Presentation

• Collect data on hydromorphology, river habitats, fish populations and relevant environmental and abiotic data from sites
• Provide data and contribute to the compilation of assessments and reports relating to restoration projects
• Develop/refine appropriate remote sensing methods in line with best practice Data Processing
• Data mining, data processing, collation and aggregation of data required for meeting requirements to secure relevant authorizations for barrier mitigation projects
• Quality assure and review all datasets for entry to databases/GIS
• Work with the NBMP GIS Officer to digitally record and present geo-located data
• Maintain raw data and all other records in a clear concise manner and in line with IFI’s database structure
• Interact with other data managers internally (IFI) and externally to produce publicly accessible datasets and maps

Reporting

• Provide reports on project progress at barrier mitigation sites.
• Provision of weekly and monthly updates
• Liaise with stakeholder groups and project proponents, providing all data necessary to progress projects through consenting processes.
• Participate in public consultation events
• Collate data on hydromorphology, river habitats, fish populations and relevant environmental and abiotic data from barrier mitigation sites for relevant reports

Other Duties

• Undertake all other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of the Barrier Mitigation Division or nominee
• Contribute to the development of site-specific health and safety plans, Standard Operating Procedures and RAM’s
• Ensure that all elements of the NBMP are achieved in a timely and efficient manner
• Demonstrable capacity to communicate positively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders

LOCATION, TRAVEL & GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The position can either be based in IFI’s head office in Citywest, Dublin or in any RBD office, subject to agreement with management. IFI has RBD offices at the following locations; Citywest, Dublin / Clonmel, Tipperary / Macroom, Cork / Limerick City, Limerick / Galway City, Galway / Ballina, Mayo / Ballyshannon, Donegal.

The position will require flexibility regarding travel and field survey work. There may be considerable travelling and residing in locations across Ireland, whilst conducting field work in all weather conditions. Transport will be provided for field duties and full Civil Service subsistence rates will be paid when on field duties. The work will require frequent physical exertion while conducting field activities, including walking over rough, uneven terrain, lifting equipment, wading in streams/rivers and working in boats.