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Job Description
TITLE OF POSITION:
RESEARCH OFFICER – (HYDROMORPHOLOGY)
GRADE / LEVEL:
Research Officer
REPORTING TO:
Senior Research Officer
LOCATION:
Citywest, Dublin
Purpose
IFI is a partner in the INTERREG VA Catchment CARE project, administered by SEUPB and
led by Donegal Co. Co. The project is a cross-border one examining ecological quality
of water (sensu Water Framework Directive-WFD) focusing on three catchments. The
project is a 5-year one, running to autumn 2022. To date, scoping of hydromorphology
issues and locations has been undertaken and the project is now entering the
catchment actions stage, where appropriate measures will be undertaken in locations
to address instream and riparian scenarios with a view to improving the ecological
quality of the relevant waterbody. The successful appointee will work in the Arney and
Ulster Blackwater catchments with a view to actioning management interventions in the
instream and riparian zones of channels that would lead to improvement in ecological
quality. The appointee will also undertake appropriate monitoring before and after any
interventions in order to assess the appropriateness of measures and the level of success
of measures.
The appointee will work with Catchment Project Officers in the Arney and Blackwater in
the planning and execution of management interventions, participate in community
awareness, education and networking with stakeholders. The appointee will work with
the other project partners to achieve successful implementation of the range of tasks
within the project.
This is a front-line leadership role and the successful candidate will have demonstrated
excellence in networking and communication skills as well as proven experience in
project management, covering permissions and regulatory compliance, specification
and tendering and oversight of works. The successful candidate will have academic
and practical experience of working in riverine scenarios in the context of instream
interventions, erosion management and barrier mitigation measures.
Responsibilities of the Post
• Day to day delivery of the Project under the supervision of the Senior Research
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Officer or other line manager as deemed necessary
• Liaise closely with the Senior Research Officer and supervise staff allocated to the
project
• Work independently in the field and with the support of IFI staff and of other
project staff when required
• Identification of site-specific remedial measures, consistent with the
hydromorphology of the receiving waterbody, and plan for all stages of works to
be undertaken
• Project-manage all aspects of works Implementation at selected sites, to cover
permissions and consents, specification of works and materials, tendering,
contract award and oversight of works implementation
• Implementation of monitoring programme to assess level of success of various
instream and riparian measures implemented, to include pre- and post- works
assessments
• Work with relevant state agencies in NI and RoI to develop environmental
protocols for riparian and instream measures that could be implemented during
routine statutory channel maintenance work
Data Processing & Reporting Responsibilities
• Review all literature and existing data sets in relation to the programme
• Analyse all of the data collected and present in GIS compatible format
• Contribute to database development for storage of data collected
• Maintain raw data and all other records in a clear, concise manner
• Compile reports to support the research carried out
• Contribute to the authorship of reports, management briefs and scientific
publications linked with the project
• Maintain detailed paper trail for all aspects of each individual project to be
undertaken, from initiation to completion – to include paper record of permissions
and consents; tendering process etc.
Communication Responsibilities
• Maintain close liaison with relevant staff of IFI both in R&D and in relevant RBDs
• Work hand-in-hand with the Catchment Project Officers of CatchmentCARE in
the Arney and Blackwater catchments and with personnel in Loughs Agency
managing the same suite of tasks in the Finn catchment
• Liaise with the organizations involved in the project and other groups as required
• Ensure deadlines for the projects are met and work is carried out
Other Duties
• Carry out such duties as may be assigned to the post from time to time by the
Senior Research Officer
The position will require flexibility regarding working hours.
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Considerable travelling and residing in locations across both Northern Ireland and the
Republic of Ireland, whilst planning and overseeing site works and conducting field work
in all weather conditions.
Note: The above attempts to outline in a broad sense the range of duties associated with the
Research Officer post. However other duties may arise as the requirements of the project
and our stakeholders change over time.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
Experience and Qualifications
Skills:
Essential:
• Ability to communicate effectively, with the team and external agencies
• Ability to work as part of a team e.g. punctuality, flexible approach to duties
• Ability to work unsupervised for periods of time
• Commitment and self-motivation
• Excellent oral, written and numeracy skills
• Takes a proactive approach towards development of self and others
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to spot errors and question
information received
• Honest and trustworthy
• Acts with integrity at all times
• Customer service skills
• Previous outdoor experience
Experience / Qualifications:
Essential:
• A primary degree in relevant area (e.g. fluvial geography, ecology,
civil/environmental engineering). • Circa 5 years’ experience in working at a professional level in relevant area • Project management experience – personnel; funds; tendering; work flows;
timelines • Demonstrable ‘cross-over’ skills in interface area of river
ecology/hydromorphology/civil engineering • Demonstrable experience in data processing and analysis and in use of
statistical packages • Demonstrable experience of a high level of proficiency with GIS- and database
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software • Demonstrable self-motivation and flexibility • Demonstrable presentation skills, development and delivery of training • Demonstrable capacity to network with personnel in other public authorities and
the voluntary sector • Demonstrable experience in report writing, scientific writing for peer-review
journals etc. • Full driving licence valid in the state
Desirable:
• Postgraduate qualification in fluvial geomorphology; • Project management experience in the relevant area of this post – instream and
riparian works on rivers; • Interface experience of ecology – fluvial processes
Remuneration and benefits
SALARY
Research Officer, appointments will be made at the first point of the scale
(01.09.19):
€35,151, €36,883, €38,941, €40,865, €43,630, €45,926, €47,801, €49,619, €53,738,
€55,689, €57,745, €59,797, €61,839, €63,908, €65,426 (LSI 1), €67,575 (LSI2)
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.
TENURE
Appointment to this position will be on a specified purpose contract basis, initially one
year.
Applications
Applications, (a cover letter and up to date Curriculum Vitae) should be sent to:
recruitment@fisheriesireland.ie by 5pm on 27th November 2019.
The term CCRO19 should appear in your application email subject line.
All enquiries to recruitment@fisheriesireland.ie
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Late applications will not be processed.
Short listing will be based on information provided in the Cover Letter and CV
Canvassing will disqualify
Inland Fisheries Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
