Project officer

Reports to:

Chairman and Board of Directors

Responsible for:

1. Lead in the coordination and collection of data in a pre agreed format with the NPWS, on game or related species, collating this data so that it is robust and usable for decision makers going forward.
2. Lead in collecting and collating data on Species for the NARGC as required.
3. Producing datasets and reports on the information collated, which must be produced annually, or as required.
4. Collaborate and work with NARGC research projects, and external projects with outside bodies and academic institutions.

Location:

Based in the NARGC Office in Mountmellick ( Office may move to another location in midlands area)

Remote working as agreed and required. Working with other bodies or academic institution, at their location as agreed and required.

Job Description and general overview

As lead coordinator and organiser in this data collection area you will be further developing the NARGC data collection systems to new levels. This will involve utilising our vast geographically dispersed memberships to assist you in counts, and data collection. These citizen science type initiatives have enormous potential, but they need coordination, guidance, training, and quality control audits, which will be all part of your job.

Your job will involve liaising with and working with the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), other government departments and agencies, other non-governmental organisations (NGO’s), academic institutions, other relevant stakeholders.

You would need to have experience of, or worked in this area of species data collection, including the use of up-to-date collection methods including harnessing the capabilities of innovative technologies.

You need to have effective communication, and organisational skills, motivated and have the ability to drive initiatives independently.

You need to understand the necessity for robust research and be innovative in pursuing research projects internally in the NARGC, and externally. Although the role will primarily involve organising research and data collection /collation, and producing reports to summarise the data collected where appropriate, the production of scientific peer-reviewed articles will also be encouraged.

The motivation for creating this role is to facilitate good decisions around species internally in Ireland, and to fulfil Irelands obligations to the European commission management and to fulfil Ireland’s obligations to the European Commission under the Habitat and Birds directive (Article 12 mandatory reporting), and all the international organisations Ireland is aligned to or signed up with in this area, and you need to fully understand all those needs and obligations.

This role would be ideal for someone who has an interest in the management of Game species, and has experience in national species surveys, and wishes to further develop their skills in leading projects in this field.

The candidate must have their own transport, a full driving licence and their vehicle must be insured for business use in addition to their domestic use.

The Job

The Project Officer shall operate under the direction of the NARGC Chairperson, and report to, the Board of directors of the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC).

The post is permanent, full time, with the standard entitlements.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• An undergraduate degree in Ecology 0rnithology or related disciplines.
• Three (3) years relevant work experience, fieldwork and reporting on species management or conservation.
• A knowledge and awareness of health & safety legislation and regulations, their implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application.
• Have good written and verbal communication skills.
• Be proficient in up-to-date IT systems, GIS ( ESRI, Argis, R python or similar) mapping systems.
• Be able to lead a team, and work with various other agencies as required.
• Be able to address meeting or gatherings and deliver a clear and coherent message.
• Be able to design and implement surveys and sampling methods, to capture accurate data with quality control built in, in both small and large areas, using both professional and volunteer personnel.
• Understand population modelling (e.g., occupancy modelling, survival analysis, Bayesian interference).
• Have knowledge of the European Directives ( Birds Directive article 12 reporting, Habitats Directive Article 17 Reporting).

Familiarity with the IUCN traffic light Bird assessment system, EU Conservation status frameworks, AEWA.

Desirable Skills

• Ornithological Survey qualifications and or experience in those areas.
• Professional membership of IEEN, CIEEM, or similar
• Familiarity with Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) principles
• Have an MSC or PHD in statistics, data science, ecology with Quantitative methods, in conservation Biology, or related fields.
• Experience in managing and analysing large datasets, and the trends emerging from the data over longer periods of time.
• Experience of coordinating and or understanding regional scale species field surveys.
• Be innovative and determined in pursuing objectives.
• Database management experience (PostgreSQL, Access, or cloud-based data management platforms)
• Experience of remote sensing and or the use of drone technology, and the add on benefits AI can add to this technology.

Hours of Work – Location of work

Full time employment, 39 hours per week, with standard benefits. The working schedule will be the standard Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm in the NARGC office. Remote working will be required and agreed, and arranged flexibility around working hours and to some extent personal circumstances will be considered where appropriate.

Probation

The following probationary provisions shall apply:

1. there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation.
2. There shall be a review of performance after Six (6) Months, and a further review after 12 months after the mandatory reports have been submitted. If this is satisfactory, the probation period is then completed.

The NARGC does however reserve the right to extend the probationary period beyond twelve (12) months if required, but not beyond eighteen (18) months from the date of commencement of the employment.

If interested please submit your CV and a covering letter focusing on your relevant experience, qualifications, bearing in mind the job requirements and what additionally you might bring to the role and to the NARGC.

Closing date: 31st of March 2026

Selection Process : After the closing date, all applications will be accessed, and you will be notified then of the next steps in the process.

The NPWS funds this project.

Basic Skills:

1. Ecologist Data analyist Species monitoring