Civil Environmental Engineer (Engineer Grade 2) - Barriers Mitigation Division

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has an exciting opportunity for a Civil Environmental Engineer (Engineer Grade 2) to join our Barrier Mitigation Division.

The Barrier Mitigation Division is a newly created team within IFI.

IFI has been asked to take on the role of managing a newly established National Barrier Mitigation Programme 2024 - 2030 (NBMP) and as such, this new division has been established with funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC).

This role will provide an exciting opportunity for an individual with civil engineering experience in the ecological/environmental arena, to play a leading advisory role on the remediation works required to successfully mitigate or remove barriers.

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.

Reporting to the Civil Engineer (Grade 1), this role will provide an exciting opportunity for an individual with civil engineering experience in the ecological/environmental arena, to play a leading advisory role on the remediation works required to successfully mitigate or remove barriers. The Engineer on this project will be an expert on the planning and management of remediation works concerning barrier mitigation and have the ability to understand the impacts of ecosystem dynamics associated with barrier removal and mitigation.

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

Our rivers, lakes, and coastal ecosystems support abundant fish populations for future generations.

Mission

We will conserve, protect, restore, and advocate for our fisheries, habitats and biodiversity.

Values

• We are committed to the environment and sustainability.

• We work collaboratively and with professionalism.

• We communicate openly and transparently.

• We act with respect, integrity, and accountability

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work alongside the Civil Environmental Engineer (Grade 1) to recruit and train a team of civil and environmental design experts to support delivery of the NBMP.

• Undertake, or assist in the management of projects and technical assessments, studies or research in connection with the areas of activity of the Barriers Mitigation Division.

• Work closely with colleagues from the Barriers Mitigation Research Programme to obtain and review data from a range of sources such as; site assessments, environmental monitoring and third party reports and design proposals.

• Evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposed barrier mitigation options.

• Undertake design tasks including calculations, testing and assessment of proposed remediation works.

• Undertake supervision of consultants and review of technical reports and studies produced, including assisting in choosing optimum design solutions

• Prepare and present findings, technical documents, costings, and recommendations on proposed remediation works.

• Plan and manage remediation works concerning barrier mitigation and removal.

• Plan, implement, manage and supervise the day-to-day tasks of construction and remediation schemes including evaluation of costings.

• Organise, direct and supervise site investigation, project construction and maintenance including direction and supervision of direct labour force and contractors working on barrier mitigation projects.

• Contribute to the development of site-specific health and safety plans, Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessment Method Statements.

• Foster collaborative and strategic relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, vendors and technical service providers

• Engage with procurement activities, in line with IFI policies and public sector procurement guidelines to deliver the programme of mitigation works.

• Comply with the policies and standards of Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

  Perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Civil/ Environmental Engineer (Grade 1) or nominee.

KEY EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate must, on or before the closing date have the following;

Essential

• A recognised third-level qualification, at a minimum level of NFQ Level 8 (Honours Bachelor degree) in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering or Structural Engineering, accredited by Engineers Ireland;

• A minimum of 3-years' demonstrable post-qualification professional experience working in a relevant civil and/or environmental engineering role.

• On the date of appointment, the successful candidate must possess a current full clean driving licence (Category B) that is recognised in Ireland, as they be required to drive in the course of their duties.

• Eligible to work full-time in the State and meet the citizenship requirements for the role

• Experience in the project management of major civil engineering works.

• Demonstrable familiarity with the planning application processes and requirements in Local Authorities.

• A proven track record of fostering productive relationships with external stakeholders, including sub-contractors and/or sub-consultants.

Desirable

• Interest in working in, or experience in the design, construction or evaluation of civil engineering projects, in particular; bridges, weirs, culverts, crossings, or other river infrastructure.

• Experience working with diverse stakeholders involved in the ecology arena.

• An excellent knowledge of ecological principles and a familiarity with fisheries conservation and environmental legislation, in particular the Water Framework Directive, as well as other relevant legislation.

• Experience and familiarity with the Capital Works Management Framework, Infrastructure Guidelines (Public Spending Code), Public Procurement Policy standards, relevant legislative requirements and applicable national and European policy.

• A knowledge of current Health and Safety legislative requirements and an awareness of progressive legislative changes relevant to the field of Civil / Environmental engineering.

• Experience working in the riverine environment is highly desirable.

KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

Essential

• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post, such as site visits, and a willingness to work outside of normal hours as necessary.

• Demonstrable project management skills, with a capability to achieve deliverables on time and within budget.

• Strong IT skills including MS Office suite, MS Project, GIS / ArcGIS, AutoCAD (or equivalent) and BIM systems.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to express technical matters in plain language to non-technical individuals.

• Excellent people management and leadership skills.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Outstanding time management and resource management skills.

• A passion for the environment.

LOCATION

This role may be based at either of the following IFI regional offices; Citywest, Dublin / Galway City, Galway/ Ballina, Mayo/Limerick City, Limerick

Inland Fisheries Ireland is proud to offer a hybrid working model for this role which will typically consist of 2-days working remotely and 3-days working from the successful candidate's designated office, subject to business requirements and approval from line management.

REMUNERATION

The salary scale for the position is at the level of Engineer Grade 2 as applies in Inland Fisheries Ireland. This is an 8-point scale including 2 long service increments (LSI’s): Point 1 €76,202.05 Point 2 €77,944.10 Point 3 €79,680.79; Point 4 €81,424.99 Point 5 €83,164.89; Point 6 €83,628.01; Point 7 €85,344.33; Point 8 €87,123.90 Point 9 (LSI 1) €90,023.74 Point 10 (LSI 2) €92,930.01

(IFI Engineer Grade 2 PayScale as of 01/06/2026).

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.

ANNUAL LEAVE

The annual leave entitlement for this role is 30 days per annum (pro-rata) and is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave as per the Annual Leave policy of Inland Fisheries Ireland.

HOURS OF ATTENDANCE

Hours of attendance will be as fixed from time to time. At present they amount to 35 hours per week (full-time), net of breaks.

The successful candidate will be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of their duties, subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations.

TENURE

This post is offered on Specified Purpose Contract linked to funding which is expected to last until the end of 2030.

APPLICATIONS & SELECTION PROCESS

A cover letter and up to date Curriculum Vitae should be submitted via this website by 5.00 pm on Friday 23rd October 2026.

Late applications or applications not received through the correct channel, as indicated above, will not be considered.

Canvassing will disqualify.

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.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.