Ecology Graduate Dublin, IRE March 2026 start

AECOM are seeking a Graduate Ecologist in our Dublin Office to join us in March 2025. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to further your career by gaining valuable work experience within an established and successful consultancy supporting the growing ecology team in Ireland. 

About our Team 

Ecology is part of AECOMs Environment business (one of the leading environmental consultancies in the UK and Ireland) which delivers environmental management services for feasibility impact analysis and operational compliance as well as remediation restoration and re-use of impacted property. More than160 professional ecologists support AECOMs goal to deliver a better world through effective management of the biodiversity that underpins natural capital. 

We work across terrestrial freshwater and marine environments in a wide range of sectors: power; utilities; development; government; manufacturing; oil and gas; and transportation. Most of our work is based in Ireland and the UK and there may also be opportunities overseas including Europe Middle East and Africa. 

Our ecologists work alongside architects engineers planners economists and other environmental specialists on important projects. Together we provide the full range of ecological services including habitat and species surveys impact assessment advice on biodiversity mitigation offsetting and enhancement and management planning for biodiversity.

Heres what youll do: 

In this role you will be working within a multi-disciplinary team on field surveys including preliminary ecological appraisal Phase 1 habitat surveys other botanical surveys ecological impact assessment and a range of protected species surveys. 

From time to time fieldwork is likely to require working away from home and some working at night when surveying.

In addition to field skills good organization research and planning skills are also required to support a team which works safely and to a high technical standard. 

Youll also need to be able to work with a range of taxonomic groups and youll be encouraged to pursue your own interests. 

Enjoy the Perks

At AECOM youll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle technical practice networks AECOM University and volunteering days.

Here is what you will get from us!

On the job support and learning

When a graduate starts at AECOM we pair them with a senior member of the team who will guide and mentor them through their initial period working on live projects and business development tasks to support with any technical queries. 

As an Ecology Graduate with AECOM you will be trained in technical skills safety project management and business systems. Well support you with a structured graduate development programme to help you realise your full potential as an ecologist on some of the most significant projects in Ireland the UK and overseas.  
Graduate Development Programme

Our 2-year graduate ADVANCE programme is designed to help you build your career in AECOM. You will attend several instructor-led training sessions where you will meet and hear from people across the business and take part in a series of interactive activities to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your role.   Alongside the instructor-led elements of the ADVANCE programme you will also engage with an online curriculum via AECOM University and can join the ADVANCE webinar series.  We will provide you with all the support and tools you need to achieve your professional development ambitions which may include Chartership with the relevant international professional institution.  

We have more than 750 graduates on our programmes across Ireland and the UK from more than 40 different disciplines each making a tangible difference to the environment in which we live and work.

The Professional Institute you will work towards is the Chartered Institute for Ecologists and Environmental Managers (CIEEM).

See our digital early careers e-brochure here

Qualifications :

• 2:1 degree and above (or equivalent) in Ecology or a subject with ecological component - Ecology Environmental Biology Zoology Environmental Diagnosis and Management Wildlife Conservation/Biodiversity Conservation Biology and Resource Management Species Identification and Surveying Environmental Science/Consultancy Environmental Management and Sustainability Biological Science
• Keen interest and understanding of Irish wildlife 
• Irish plant and animal (indirect and direct field signs) identification skills
• Excellent field skills
• Previous exposure to protected species surveys
• Ability to record data efficiently and methodically
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including Microsoft Word and Excel
• Strong numeracy
• Ability to communicate effectively to internal and external clients both verbally & in writing with the confidence to engage with a variety of people (clients colleagues stakeholders and sub-contractors alike) and the aptitude to rationally explain explore and discuss technical issues and capture feedback
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.  Ability to structure & prioritise work effectively through close cooperation with the team as a whole
• Self-motivation enthusiasm hardworking with ambition and drive
• Excellent research and report writing skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team collaborating with colleagues client and stakeholders as appropriate as well as independently without losing initiative & focus.
• Ability to work flexibly under pressure responding to changing project and programme demands.
• Commitment to continued education and improvement through our approved training schemes 
• Willing and able to visit other locations on company business
• A full driving licence would be beneficial as the role will involve travel for site surveys with equipment and limited public transport access
• Previous experience in the ecology sector (eg with an NGO as a volunteer or within a professional consultancy) would be beneficial including work placements or relevant voluntary experience.
• Good knowledge of Irish environmental law and an understanding of the relevant planning systems

Preferred Qualifications:

    Postgraduate qualification in relevant subject
    Proven experience of Fossitt habitat IVC and botanical surveys

    Have held protected species licences such as survey licences for bats
    Membership of or working towards full membership of appropriate professional institution
    Evidence of published work in ecology field

 We celebrate diversity including neurodiversity and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process please contact us at

At AECOM we value everyones unique contributions and perspectives. If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us we would be delighted to hear from you!

Additional Information :

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible since CVs will be reviewed and candidates selected for an advanced offer start.    

Please include a covering letter with your application and provide all predicted and/or obtained academic grades.

You must have permanent right to work in Ireland as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

About AECOM

AECOM is the worlds trusted infrastructure consulting firm delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle from advisory planning design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation buildings water new energy and the environment our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise a culture of equity diversity and inclusion and a commitment to environmental social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether youre working from an AECOM office remote location or at a client site you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. Were the worlds trusted global infrastructure firm and were in this together your growth and success are ours too.

Join us and youll get all the benefits of being a part of a global publicly traded firm access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer we believe in each persons potential and well help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address   if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time