Job Description
Scientific Officer I (Level 3) Climate Adaptation Scientist role involves providing expertise, analysis, and insight on climate change risk, adaptation, and resilience in Ireland. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of the EPA's Climate Services Team and lead technical work to provide evidence to support setting technical adaptation targets. The role also includes developing a community of adaptation practice in Ireland, delivering Climate Ireland as the national adaptation platform, and integrating climate resilience and adaptation priorities across EPA work areas. The successful candidate will be a valued member of a multidisciplinary team of technical experts in the areas of climate change impacts, risk, and adaptation and resilience planning and monitoring.
Key Responsibilities:
Continued development of the EPA Adaptation Team, including contributing to the preparation of the annual work programme concerning Climate Ireland and building on the National Climate Change Risk Assessment.
Delivering Climate Ireland as the national adaptation platform to inform National, Sectoral, and Local adaptation planning.
Developing a community of adaptation practice in Ireland through the Climate Ireland Adaptation Network.
Delivering Ireland's first National Climate Change Risk (NCCRA) to characterise, quantify, and prioritise climate risk across all sectors.
Leading technical work to provide evidence to support setting technical adaptation targets.
Providing structured support to various sectors for sectoral adaptation plan development.
Developing a communications strategy for EPA adaptation and dissemination of outputs to a variety of audiences.
Integrating climate resilience and adaptation priorities across EPA work areas to optimise co-benefits for the environment and public health.
Engaging with Government Departments, National & Regional Authorities and Agencies, and Local Authorities and CAROs working towards climate resilience.
Supporting national climate change governance structures, including providing analysis to support the development of the annual Climate Action Plans.
Developing relationships, and collaborating with communities and voluntary groups, NGOs, media, and other stakeholders.
Synthesising and providing audience-appropriate scientific and environmental data and analyses, including developing and tracking national indicators.
Representing Ireland on the EEA Eionet Climate Impacts and Vulnerabilities Group.
Providing advice in relation to national and international climate policy and initiatives.
Advising on the formulation, implementation, operation, and impact of policy options for adaptation and resilience and commissioning further studies and research on adaptation, and related environmental issues.
Representing the EPA/State where appropriate at National, EU, and International level.
General duties may include developing and delivering annual work programmes, managing staff and contractors, budget preparation, management, and control, analysing and interpreting complex environmental information, writing reports, and presenting work to a variety of audiences.
Essential Requirements:
An appropriate degree (NFQ Level 8) in a relevant science or engineering discipline (e.g., climate, earth, or environmental science, civil engineering, chemistry, physics, geography, geology, oceanography, meteorology, ecology).
A minimum of five years relevant work experience, including experience in earth and/or climate systems, climate impact risk assessment, climate adaptation planning, climate scenario development and analysis.
Experience in climate impacts and adaptation/resilience planning in at least one of the fourteen adaptation planning sectors in Ireland (Biodiversity, Water Quality, Communication Networks, Electricity and Gas Networks, Flood Risk Management, Built Environment and Planning, Transport Infrastructure, Water Services Infrastructure, Built and Archaeological Heritage, Health, Agriculture, Forestry, Seafood, Tourism).
A demonstrated record of leadership, including prioritising and delivering objectives, planning, and organising resources, motivating staff to common goals, and creating a culture that values teamwork and collaboration.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience of engaging with a variety of stakeholders to communicate complex messages in plain English.
Required Competencies:
Team Leadership
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Customer and Stakeholder Focus
Management & Delivery of Results
Judgement, Analysis & Decision Making
Specialist Knowledge/Expertise and Self-development