Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has an exciting opportunity for an Fisheries Project Coordinator to join our Barrier Mitigation Division.
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 to support the remediation works required to successfully mitigate or remove barriers to fish migration across Ireland.
The aim of the National Barrier Mitigation Programme is to improve river Hydromorphology and connectivity in Irish catchments by strategically targeting significant barriers to fish passage and structures degrading river form, flow and function. Iconic species such as Atlantic salmon and the European eel are threatened species and IFI is mandated to protect them under law. Removing barriers will open up habitat to various species in an era where habitat loss is impacting severely on biodiversity both nationally and internationally.
The Fisheries Project Co-ordinator will be responsible for co-ordinating, assembling, and where necessary collecting fish population data at individual barrier mitigation sites. This data will be used to feed into baseline surveys for the Appropriate Assessment (AA) process, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), and other environmental reporting. The successful candidate will play a key role in liaising internally with key IFI personnel and with external consultants on fisheries data from the initial feasibility and option selection phases through planning and consenting processes, all the way to project construction, environmental monitoring and completion.
The successful candidate will be familiar with ecological reports including Appropriate Assessments under the Habitats Directive and will be required to contribute to relevant reports as needed. The work will involve the compilation of ecosystem and fish population data to support the design and applications for consent for barrier removal or mitigation projects at river sites where river Hydromorphology has been physically impacted by human activity. The successful candidate will be required to plan, coordinate and execute field studies/species monitoring during all phases of project life cycles and report on environmental parameters such as fish stock, water quality, fish habitat, and biological indicators.
Reporting to the Environmental Specialist in the Barrier Mitigation Division, the Project Coordinator will be experienced in aquatic ecology, will be an independent self-starter, and will have the ability to coordinate data assembly, and liaise with other branches of IFI and external bodies and stakeholders as required.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Main Duties will include:
* Support the day-to-day delivery of NBMP projects.
* Support and assist research and survey work, such as but not limited to: Electrofishing, Barriers Surveys, Water Framework Directive, or other initiatives that may arise from time to time.
* Work closely with colleagues in the National Barrier Mitigation Programme and local Fisheries Inspectors to facilitate data collection for the implementation of barrier removal or mitigation projects.
* Travel to site locations and complete field work as needed.
* Gather, collate, and source essential project data, including fisheries data, Hydromorphology data, and water quality metrics across all stages of the construction life cycle.
* Contribute to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments for the barrier mitigation process, ensuring best practices are consistently applied.
* Lead in fish population, habitat, and water quality surveys to support the development and execution of barrier mitigation projects.
* Compile comprehensive project information to support planning and execution.
* Collect data on Hydromorphology, river habitats, fish populations and relevant environmental and abiotic data from sites.
* Provide data for and contribute to the compilation of assessments and reports relating to restoration 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 following appropriate quality standards.
* 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.
* Liaise with stakeholder groups and project proponents, providing data necessary to progress projects through consenting processes.
* Collate data on Hydromorphology, river habitats, fish populations and relevant environmental and abiotic data from barrier mitigation sites for relevant reports.
* Conduct ad-hoc screenings for Appropriate Assessment in relation to projects, with support from the Environmental Specialist and ecologists.
* Report on the site-specific status of fisheries at barrier mitigation locations.
* Undertake all other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of the Barrier Mitigation Division, Environmental Specialist or Engineering team.
* Prepare risk assessments for field work following appropriate health and safety standards.
KEY EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate must, on or before the closing date have the following;
Essential
* A recognised qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalence, which can be demonstrated by having a minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in a relevant field-based role, preferably in fisheries;
* A full Category B driving licence that is valid in Ireland.
* Proven supervisory experience that will allow the successful candidate to take the lead in fisheries and project management.
* Proven experience in motivating and forming effective working relationships with team members and others.
* Experience in managing a budget and identifying improvements and where cost and time savings can be made.
* A keen sense of self-development and a desire to keep up to date with innovation and technological developments.
* Good working knowledge of GPS, GIS digital cameras etc. and a willingness and ability to apply this knowledge in the field;
* Proven experience in report writing and record keeping.
Desirable
* Hold a recognised Level 8 qualification in the National Framework of Qualifications, or equivalent, in a subject relevant to biodiversity including but not limited to, Ecology, Environmental Science, earth/natural sciences, or zoology.
* Experience in aquatic ecological surveying and field work techniques including electrofishing, river habitat survey, spawning habitat survey.
* Demonstrable experience and good knowledge of some of the following areas: Water Framework Directive and Habitats Directive requirements for plans and projects.
* Ability to access and interpret fish population, Hydromorphology and water quality data.
* Knowledge of data management and mapping techniques (e.g. GPS data loggers, spatial data collection, GIS analysis etc.).
* Ability to operate in accordance with relevant H&S legislation, especially whilst working in proximity to water.
KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
Essential
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
* Flexibility and ability to work on own initiative.
* Can meet the travel requirements of the post. Prepared to work outside of normal hours as necessary.
* Commitment and self-motivation.
* Good time keeping.
* Excellent attention to detail with the ability to spot errors and question information received.
* Acts with integrity & professionalism at all times in line with IFI values.
LOCATION
The position can either be based in IFI’s head office in Citywest, Dublin or in any RBD office listed below, subject to agreement with management. Citywest, Dublin / Clonmel, Tipperary / Macroom, Cork / Limerick City, Limerick / Ballina, Mayo / Ballyshannon, Donegal.
There may be travelling and residing in locations across Ireland, whilst conducting field work in all weather conditions. Travelling on a daily or weekly basis may be a requirement. Transport will be provided for field duties and full Civil Service subsistence rates will be paid when on field duties.
The work may require physical exertion while carrying out field activities, including walking over rough, uneven terrain, lifting equipment, wading in streams/rivers.
REMUNERATION
The salary scale for the position is at the level of Assistant Inspector as applies in Inland Fisheries Ireland, it is a 15-point scale including 2 long service increments (LSI’s):
Point 1 €38,029; Point 2 €39,249; Point 3 €39,286; Point 4 €41,141.18; Point 5 €42,337; Point 6 €43,547; Point 7 €44,756; Point 8 €45,969; Point 9 €47,183; Point 10 €48,402; Point 11 €49,623; Point 12 €50,785; Point 13 €51,970; LSI1 €53,381; LSI2 €54,830 (IFI AI Grade Pay scale as of 01/03/2025).
Candidates should note that salary will not be subject to negotiation and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. New entrants to the public sector will start on point 1 subject to Haddington Road Agreement and subsequent Government Agreements.
TENURE
This post is offered on Specified Purpose Contract linked to funding which is expected to last until the end of 2027.
APPLICATIONS & SELECTION PROCESS
A cover letter and up to date Curriculum Vitae should be submitted via this website by midnight on Thursday 17th April 2025.
Late applications or applications not received through the correct channel, as indicated above, will not be considered.
Canvassing will disqualify.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
Short listing will be based on information provided in the Cover Letter and CV.
FORMATION OF PANEL
A panel may be created for up to six months to cover vacancies for roles with similar skill sets.
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