Ecologist

Job Opportunities

Job title: ACRES Donegal Ecologist

Introduction

Inishowen Farm Innovations in partnership with Inishowen Development Partnership have been contracted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to operate one of the eight Co-operation Projects that have been established as part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. We are currently recruiting for an ecologist to work as part of the project team across all areas of Donegal. The ecologist will play a key role in delivering this new results-based agri-environmental scheme where farmers will be rewarded and incentivised to provide positive environmental outcomes throughout the high nature value landscapes of Donegal.

Background

ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) is the new national agri-environment climate measure (AECM) that will be available to over 30,000 farmers throughout Ireland from 2023. Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through a mix of results-based and prescriptive actions, ACRES aims to achieve improved biodiversity, climate, air and water quality outcomes. Through a hybrid payment model farmers will be rewarded and incentivised to maintain and enhance the environmental condition of their farms. There are two approaches under the scheme:

• an ACRES General approach offering a range of measures for individual farmers (both targeted and general); and
• an ACRES Co-operation approach, available to farmers in eight high-priority geographical areas, who opt to undertake measures, as well as bespoke farm, and landscape actions.

Farmers participating in the Co-operation approach will have the assistance of a Local Co-operation Project (CP) Team, who will assist with the implementation of the scheme at the local level. Inishowen Farm Innovations in partnership with the Inishowen Development Partnership have been appointed to fulfil the roll of the local CP team for Donegal, referred to as the Donegal Co-operation Project.

Job Description

The primary role of the Ecologist is to assist and support the CP team, farmers, farm advisors and other stakeholders in Donegal throughout the delivery of the ACRES scheme regarding all aspects of ecology. The role will involve actively engaging with farmers and advisors to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the opportunities available to them through the scheme and to encourage their active participation with a view to achieving better environmental outcomes that are most relevant and beneficial to the environmental targets of the local area.

*The post holder will be required to spend a high percentage of their time on sites and

attending meetings at offices, in County Donegal. A hybrid working approach can be taken thereafter.

Location

The Ecologist will work within the Donegal CP area which entails an area stretching from southwest Donegal to Inishowen. The role will be largely field based with a hybrid working arrangement between home and the local project office depending on project needs.

Figure 1: Map showing the local areas within the ACRES Donegal Co-operation Project.

Key duties and responsibilities of the Ecologist

The main purpose of the post shall be to provide specialist ecological advice and input on all project requirements for the key habitats and species in the Donegal CP area.

The main duties will include:-

• Provide ecological advice to the CP team, farmers and advisors.
• Complete peatland restoration plans.
• Contribute to the ever-evolving Local Action Plan for the Donegal CP.
• Plan and co-ordinate habitat surveys throughout the study area.
• Assist with scoring of commonages in the CP area and advise on commonage related actions where required.
• Deliver ecology training to the CP team, farmers and advisors.
• Contribute to the screening processes and application of Non Productive Investments (NPIs) and Landscape Actions (LAs).
• Identification of appropriate NPIs and LAs for individual farm plans accepted into the Scheme.
• Providing training to Advisors in use of score cards, NPIs, LAs and relevant farmland habitats and species.
• Attend DAFM and other CP led meetings to contribute to the development of the ACRES Cooperation Scheme.
• Mapping work required to support implementation of the individual farm plans.
• Contribute to the development of software and database systems.
• Assist with requests from DAFM for reporting, audits etc.
• Lead on the collation, analysis and write up of the project data.
• Liaise and co-ordinate with interested bodies throughout all stages of the project e.g WAN/NPWS. This may include attendance at meetings and seminars / conferences
• Continual liaison with the farming community in the respective local area.
• Additional tasks may be allocated from time to time to support the work of the Donegal ACRES Cooperation Project team.
• Any other duties as assigned by the project Manager.

Qualifications and Experience - Minimum Requirements

• A degree in agriculture, ecology, countryside management or related discipline is desirable however other non-degree qualifications may be considered for experienced candidates.
• Applicants should have a minimum of three years relevant work experience in the agriculture / ecology / agri-environmental sectors.
• A specialism in ecology, botany or ornithology.
• Demonstratable knowledge or specialism in the areas of grasslands, peatland or coastal habitats.
• Excellent plant I.D skills.
• Knowledge of the ecology, trends and threats of the key species as they occur in the Donegal CP area.
• Proven experience of writing scientific reports, to include data collation and analysis.
• Knowledge and experience relevant to biodiversity and wildlife legislation in Ireland.
• Understanding of the implications of conservation objectives for Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and the role farmers play regarding these.
• Knowledge of results based schemes and use of score cards.
• Knowledge of GIS.
• Understanding of the habitats and Birds Directive and the Appropriate Assessment process.
• A full clean driver’s licence. You are required to own or have access to a vehicle which is insured for work purposes in order to carry out your duties.

Qualifications and Experience - Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification.
• Demonstratable experience in the area of peatland restoration.
• Experience of providing advice and training to farmers and/or advisors.
• Knowledge and experience relevant to agriculture policy in Ireland.
• Knowledge and awareness of agri-environmental schemes such as REPS, GLAS, REAP, InishowenUplands EIP, Curlew EIP etc.
• Experience of providing agri-environmental advice and support to farmers.
• Experience of using ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS and database management software would be an advantage.
• An ability to communicate in spoken Irish.

Skills and Characteristics

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills and characteristics

• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-motivated and have a proven ability to work under their own initiative.
• Have a positive, enthusiastic, pragmatic, solution driven, and flexible approach to work.
• A willingness to actively participate as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.
• An ability to manage their own workload, ensuring that work is carried out safely, on schedule, and to a high standard.
• Willingness to work in remote locations, sometimes lone working and in poor weather conditions.
• Ability to consider health and safety issues when working in the field and take appropriate action as necessary.
• Good computer skills, particularly in the use of Microsoft Office software.

Salary and Employment Details

The Ecologist will be employed on a full-time fixed term contract basis. The contract period is expected to run until 2027, and may be extended annually there-after, subject to continuing funding and needs of the project. Opportunities for continued professional development and training are envisaged. Starting salary will be dependent on qualifications and experience.

Starting salary: Dependent upon experience

Expenses:

Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid on a monthly basis.

Other details:

I.T/field equipment will be provided.

Employer pension contribution.

Annual leave: 20 days per annum.

How to Apply

Please find an application pack at www.acresdonegal.ie/careers

Email CV and application form and contact details of two referees by 5pm on the 4th of April 2025 to:

Personnel Manager

ACRES – Donegal Co-operation Project

E-mail: info@acresdonegal.ie

The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 4th of April 2025 with interviews soon after.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Company pension

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Donegal, CO. Donegal: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 04/04/2025