EO1 – Scientific Officer – BELFAST – HYBRID
Pay Rate: £17.43 per hour
Location: Belfast City Centre, Clare House
Start Date: 20th April 2026
Expected Duration: 4th October 2026 with possibility of extension
Working Hours: 5 days each week, totalling 37 hours. On occasions the duties may include some evening and weekend working. DAERA operates a flexi working system.
Essential Requirements: 5 GCSE’S C and Above (Including Maths and English) + 2 A Levels above C Grade and a Degree (or equivalent/higher qualification) in a relevant* scientific discipline.
AND
2 years’ experience gained within the last 8 years in a paid, voluntary or academic capacity associated with the conservation or assessment of our natural terrestrial heritage (ecosystems, habitats, species, earth science), such as in one or a combination of the following:
1. Producing ecological assessments/reports
2. Conducting ecological surveys (including protected species surveys bats, badgers, newts etc)
3. Conservation management.
*Relevant scientific discipline: give the subject of qualification and date awarded (the date awarded is the date on which you were notified of your result by the official awarding body). If you believe your qualification is relevant to the role in question, the onus is on you to provide details of modules studied and project work undertaken etc so that a well-informed decision can be made. Post degree qualification experience can also include relevant post graduate study or post doctorate experience.
Desired Requirements: MSc in a relevant* scientific discipline
Previous experience in planning consultancy role producing ecological reports in support of a planning application.
Understanding of Northern Ireland planning policy, procedures, legislation and case law.
*Relevant scientific discipline: give the subject of qualification and date awarded (the date awarded is the date on which you were notified of your result by the official awarding body). If you believe your qualification is relevant to the role in question, the onus is on you to provide details of modules studied and project work undertaken etc so that a well-informed decision can be made. Post degree qualification experience can also include relevant post graduate study or post doctorate experience.
Benefits: Flexi, Hybrid
Duties include but not limited to:
The post holders will be a member of a busy operational team primarily responding to the planning authorities and DfI by provide advice and recommendations on planning consultations after completing an assessment. They will normally report to a Higher Scientific Officer. The post holder’s main responsibilities will be:
4. The preparation of scientific reports/casework in the field of ecology and/or the natural environment which will enable appropriate courses of action or activity to be undertaken to support good environmental outcomes.
5. Assessing planning consultations to ensure fitness and compliance with the relevant planning policies and environmental law to provide robust advice to the planning authorities and/or DfI.
6. Attend and contribute to internal and external briefings/meetings.
7. Actively contributing to planning, allocating and conducting work to meet the objectives of their division’s business plan and unit level objectives, ensuring work meets required deadlines as well as ensuring the quality of work produced.
8. Actively contributing to a health and safety culture by reviewing and maintaining awareness of the business area’s risk assessments to ensure personal adherence to safe working practices and compliance with prevailing policies and standards.
9. Assisting colleagues in ensuring that the range of outputs and outcomes of your team’s work adheres to legislative and other regulatory requirements, satisfies customer demands and meets operational and technical quality and reporting standards within the confines of budgetary and other resource allocations.
10. Conducting fieldwork which may include working over arduous terrain, within industrial sites and along watercourses.
A criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.
The UK Recruitment Co. Ltd has policies on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders and the Secure Handling, Use, Storage, and Retention of Disclosure Information, copies of which can be made available upon request.
PLEASE READ THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING.
TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND YOUR CV AND EDUCATION PROOF TO: EMILY.BELL@THERECRUITMENTCO.UK