Biodiversity Officer

Clare County Council/ Comhairle Contae an Chláir is the authority responsible for Local Government in County Clare. The corporate headquarters are located at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis and there are four Municipal Districts (Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe, and West Clare) which are supported through area offices in Ennis, Scarriff, Shannon, Ennistymon and Kilrush. There are 28 elected members, approximately 990 staff and an annual operating budget of €204 million in 2026.

Clare County Council provides a diverse range of services across a large geographic area. Key services areas include planning, Local Enterprise Office, rural and community development, transportation, motor tax, water, environment, emergency services along with housing activation & delivery, libraries, and sports & amenities, property management, derelict sites, and vacant homes. These operations are supported by internal services which include ICT & Digital Services, Corporate Services & Governance, Finance and People and Culture functions.

There is a diverse demographic across urban and rural communities with tourism bringing seasonal changes in population and activity in the county. The Shannon estuary, Shannon Airport, industrial zones, and geographic location between larger urban areas, coupled with the unique landscape and heritage add to the diversity of activity in the County. Local democracy is strengthened through the Municipal Districts and changes in legislation and regulation have placed greater emphasis on the role of the Local Authority in driving economic activity, ensuring accountability, accessibility and innovation while placing the customer and the community to the fore of service delivery.

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post of Biodiversity Officer from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 6-12 months at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The Biodiversity Officer will promote, manage and co-ordinate biodiversity related activities in the County.

The Biodiversity Officer will play a pivotal role in the preparation and implementation of the County Clare Biodiversity Plan 2025-2031.

The role involves activation of local communities, businesses, schools, and all interested stakeholders and raising awareness of biodiversity in County Clare and requires an ability to engage with the public as part of a team within Clare County Council. The Biodiversity Officer will also be responsible for making funding applications and project delivery in relation to biodiversity.

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient experience and a proven track record in the following:

be experienced in contributing to the operational and strategic planning processes and in the implementation of the agreed aims of same;

have experience of participating in multi-disciplinary and cross functional teams and have the ability to motivate, empower, encourage, and achieve maximum efficiency and value for money from the personnel and processes under their control;

Be experienced in meeting regularly with stakeholders, providing updates, presentations and reports,

Have high quality report writing skills together with an ability to produce high quality analysis and reporting;

have experience of supporting the management and scheduling of a multiannual portfolio of projects within budget and on time;

have a track record of delivering results;

be capable of working in close consultation with key stakeholders and in seeking co-operation and consensus with a whole range of bodies and representative groups;

have excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills;

have good knowledge and awareness of statutory obligations of Health and Safety Legislation, the implications for the organization and the employee, and their application in the workplace;

have experience of managing finance and budgets and ensuring value for money;

have good general ICT skills;

The ideal candidate will also:

• Have experience of habitat survey and mapping, data management and analysis methods, using a variety of software including Geographic Information Systems (GIS);

• Be able to work within a multi-disciplinary team.

• Be capable of working on his/her own initiative.

• Possess good interpersonal and communication skills and have the ability to engage with stakeholders.

• Possess good organisation skills.

• Have good IT skills.

• Have a knowledge of health & safety legislation and safety regulations.

• Have an ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.

• Be able to demonstrate competence in the following areas – Strategic Ability, Personal Effectiveness and Delivering Quality Outcomes and Ensuring Compliance.

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require:

Prepare, manage, and implement a Local Authority Biodiversity Plan in parallel with the County Heritage Plan and with cross referencing to the County Climate Action Plan and the County Development Plan.

Prepare and implement a County Biodiversity Plan

Establish a County Biodiversity forum.

Facilitate the implementation of government initiatives in relation to biodiversity and national plans and programmes that are developed to support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Plan, such as the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan:

Advise the Local Authority on biodiversity related issues and the Authority’s obligations in relation to protecting biodiversity.

Work with Local Authority staff to assist in advancing the restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems and support ecosystem services within the Local Authority Area;

Assist Local Authority departments in integrating biodiversity into their actions and policies, for example through training, supporting information dissemination;

Promote new biodiversity initiatives based on best conversation practice;

Work with Local Authority led projects and provide advice to colleagues on the management of ecological resources such as urban woodlands, wetlands, parks, verges, wild flora grasslands and open areas in a biodiversity-friendly manner;

Raise awareness of biodiversity, natural capital and ecosystems services and issues affecting biodiversity in the Local Authority, including climate change with a broad range of groups;

Commission biodiversity related research, audits and surveys and provide date obtained to the NBDC and NPWS in a suitable format for reporting purposes.

Apply for and deliver biodiversity projects under the Heritage Council funding and National Biodiversity Action Plan and other available sources of funding.

Work closely with the County Heritage Office on a programme of public engagement for biodiversity through Field Clubs, Environmental Groups/NGOs, National Heritage Week, Summer Schools, and other public events.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list

Qualifications:

1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a) hold a recognised degree (at least level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in a subject relevant to biodiversity including but not limited to environmental science, ecology, earth/natural sciences, zoology, botany, or natural resources management;

AND

(b) after attaining the qualification referred to at (a) above, have at least five years relevant satisfactory experience of scientific work in biodiversity, sustainable development goals, biodiversity, energy, and climate action;

AND

(c) possess a high standard of technical training relevant to the areas of natural sciences and natural resources management;

AND

(d) have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire such knowledge.

AND

(e) Hold a current full Class B driving licence free from endorsements

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale.

The current salary scale applicable to the post (1st February 2026): €60,255 - €62,447 - €64,640 - €66,837 - €69,032 - €71,226 - €73,423 - €75,606 - €77,813 - €80,001 - €82,523 (1st LSI) - €83,758 (2nd LSI)