*Please note, this role can be based in Cork or Dublin*
We are at the heart of Ireland’s energy transition - connecting, operating and transforming the electricity grid to support a low carbon, renewable future.
We are building talented teams that tackle real world challenges every day and help us to achieve our goal to prepare the grid to carry up to 80% of Ireland’s electricity from renewable sources.
We are proud to be a certified Great Place to Work, recognised for our culture built on trust, collaboration and inclusion. At EirGrid you will find supportive teams, opportunities to grow and meaningful work. We also offer secure employment with a range of flexible and family friendly working policies to support your life and wellbeing. If you want to know more about what EirGrid has to offer you, visit Life at EirGrid.
If you are ready to make an impact and grow your career in a purpose-led organisation, your journey starts here.
The Team
EirGrid is at the forefront of innovation in the energy industry, enabling the transition towards a low-carbon, technology-enabled smart future. To do this we must develop our infrastructure. The Public Engagement team is responsible for the development and implementation of our overall approach to engagement on our transmission projects with communities, landowners, local government, local stakeholders, and consenting bodies.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Head of Public Engagement as a part of the Planning and Environment team, we are now seeking a Marine Ecologist to join the team. The main responsibilities of the successful applicant will include:
- Support the Planning and Environmental Team in organising and prioritising marine ecology workstreams to successfully deliver programme goals.
- Take ownership of marine ecological and environmental consenting for offshore transmission assets and works (e.g., offshore substations/convertor platforms where relevant, export cables/cable corridors, landfalls and associated onshore transition works), providing strategic guidance to project managers and multi-disciplinary internal and external teams through route selection, design, consenting, construction and operations.
- Prepare and/or manage the preparation of specialist marine ecology inputs for offshore transmission projects (e.g., benthic and intertidal ecology assessment along cable corridors, marine mammals and seabirds assessment, migratory fish assessment, underwater noise inputs for offshore works, sediment/disturbance and plume considerations from cable installation/dredging where relevant, EMF/cable interaction considerations, and inputs to Construction Environmental Management Plans, Marine Mammal Mitigation Plans and monitoring requirements), coordinating external consultants and assuring quality.
- Identify, evaluate and develop solutions to marine ecological risks and constraints along offshore transmission routes and landfalls (e.g., Natura 2000 sites, sensitive benthic habitats, marine mammals, seabirds, migratory fish, fisheries interactions, UXO constraints affecting survey/cable installation, and seasonal survey windows), escalating as necessary to senior team members and the manager.
- Support engagement with key stakeholders and regulators for offshore transmission consenting (e.g., An Bord Pleanála, local authorities, NPWS, Inland Fisheries Ireland, and relevant marine consenting bodies), providing advice and ensuring consistency across AA, EIA, SEA and marine licensing/planning documentation for cable corridors and landfalls.
- Consider legal issues that may arise during marine project development (including conditions, compliance and enforcement risk) and coordinate with EirGrid’s in-house Legal Section (and external legal advisors as required).
- Represent EirGrid policy and marine environmental best practice, communicating lessons learned and continuous improvements to internal and external parties.
- Support internal and external working groups to help deliver change within the marine regulatory and legal environment, and to develop consistent approaches for offshore transmission (e.g., survey standards, impact assessment methods, mitigation/monitoring expectations for cable installation and offshore works).
- Build effective relationships with multiple stakeholders supporting progress meetings, reporting, coordination and general communication.
- Provide advice (including the making of submissions) in relation to local, regional and national statutory and strategic plans, including marine spatial planning and relevant marine strategies, and advise on key statutory planning issues arising for proposed developments.
- Assist in the development and implementation of new or enhanced processes and guidance for offshore transmission (e.g., scoping and procuring marine surveys, integrating ecological requirements with geophysical/geotechnical programmes, data QA/QC and management, and tracking compliance with consent conditions, CEMPs and environmental monitoring during cable installation and commissioning).
About you
Successful candidates will have:
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Degree in Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related biological discipline (postgraduate qualification desirable).
- A minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience in marine ecology (consultancy, developer, regulator or similar), with demonstrable experience supporting consenting and delivery of offshore transmission and/or subsea cable projects (including cable corridors and landfalls).
- Corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (or equivalent professional membership relevant to marine science).
- Experience working within Irish and European legislation and policy relevant to the marine environment (e.g., Habitats Directive, Birds Directive, EIA Directive, Marine Strategy Framework Directive and transposing Irish Regulations).
- Experience of ecological input into Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), ideally for national plans/programmes and/or marine and offshore energy/grid strategies.
- Experience in marine habitat and species survey design and implementation to support offshore transmission (e.g., intertidal/subtidal and benthic surveys along cable corridors, marine mammals, seabirds and/or fish), including management of survey contractors, data QA/QC and interpretation for assessment and consenting.
- Proven track record in delivering marine EcIA/EIA inputs and Appropriate Assessment (AA) for large-scale projects, and proficiency in quality assurance of marine ecology reports and consultant outputs.
- Strong problem-solving skills including finding pragmatic solutions to marine ecological challenges on projects.
- Experience engaging with marine regulators, statutory consultees, fisheries stakeholders and the public on projects and in respect of biodiversity initiatives.
- Experienced in using GIS/mapping systems and digital services to manage and present spatial marine environmental data.
- A proven record of devising and delivering pragmatic marine environmental mitigation/monitoring for offshore transmission construction (e.g., cable installation controls and timing, habitat protection measures, underwater noise controls, marine mammal mitigation measures including MMO/PAM where applicable, fisheries liaison and monitoring), gaining regulator agreement and overseeing implementation through contractors and site teams.
- Ability to prioritise team workloads and manage resources to ensure efficient delivery of projects and plans.
- Excellent report writing and verbal communication skills and proven project management abilities.
- Excellent leadership and mentoring skills, with experience working as part of multi-disciplinary teams (including offshore engineering and consenting teams).
- Full clean driving licence (and willingness to undertake site visits, including coastal/offshore locations, as required).
Closing date for applications
26th June 2026
Please note we receive a high volume of applications, and as every application is carefully reviewed our response time may vary. If you agree to be considered for other roles this may result in a delayed response as we establish the best fit for your experience. We appreciate your patience.
We value potential as much as experience. If you believe you can succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every requirement.
We're dedicated to diversity and inclusion at Eirgrid. We recognise the strength that comes from having a diverse workforce and the importance of a supportive culture for all our people to achieve their potential. Our diversity and inclusion networks have been designed to create an inclusive culture that enables our people to feel a sense of belonging at work.
As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations are offered at every stage of our recruitment process. 