Are you an ornithologist wanting to work on nationally significant projects? Are you looking for a role where your field skills, curiosity and ecological judgement genuinely matter? Do you want to build a meaningful career in a team that values scientific excellence, purpose and progression?
For over 25 years, Woodrow has been a home for Ireland's leading ecologists. Now, as part of the APEM Group, we're entering an exciting phase of growth aligned with Ireland's decade of restoration and infrastructure transition — from nature-positive renewables and peatland restoration to coastal resilience, greenways, transport ecology and national biodiversity planning. We're strengthening our avian team, raising our scientific standards, and building a culture rooted in confidence, resilience and purpose.
As an Ornithologist, you'll play a key role in delivering high-quality bird surveys and contributing to EcIA, NIS/HRA and EIA assessments across a wide variety of habitats and project types including renewables, infrastructure, conservation, and habitat restoration programmes. You'll work closely with Senior and Principal Ornithologists, supported through mentoring and structured development to strengthen your technical skills, improve confidence in assessment/report writing, and gradually take on client-facing and project leadership responsibilities. Over time, you'll become a key member of multidisciplinary project teams across Woodrow and the wider APEM Group, helping to shape nature-positive mitigation and design options.
What you'll bring
Essential
* Confident identification of Irish bird species by sight and sound
* Experience delivering structured bird surveys
* Willingness to work outdoors in remote, challenging environments
* Understanding of ecological legislation relevant to birds and designated sites
* Experience contributing to technical reporting
* Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
* Competence with Microsoft Office and basic GIS (QGIS/ArcGIS)
* Degree-level qualification in ecology/zoology/environmental science (or related)
* Full clean driving licence
Desirable
* Experience contributing to EcIA, NIS/HRA and/or EIA
* Familiarity with collision risk modelling or SPA habitat assessments
* Strong GIS capability
* Experience with upland/coastal/wetland surveys
* CIEEM membership (or working towards)
* Experience in conservation, habitat management or restoration
* Outdoor first aid / mountain safety training
You will be offered the chance to work on a variety of projects, many of our employees have worked on projects that have been of personal interest to them. We match this with a commitment to continuous development and learning to support your career. We also offer benefits to look after you, from private medical insurance for all employees, access to mental health first aiders and comprehensive income protection if you cannot work. We also offer superb flexible working options, balancing work with your life.
Next steps
We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can't tick every box on our job description, then we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills.
If you think you have what it takes to join our fast-growing business, then please apply immediately on our website. All we need some basic information and your CV, we will review all applications quickly and will respond to all applications.