Research Technician

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has two vacancies for a Research Technician; one on Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Research Survey Programme (covering the national fish monitoring programme in rivers and lakes, including Water Framework Directive) and the other on the Climate Change Mitigation Research Programme.

These roles will be responsible for providing technical support to the Research Officer/Senior Research Officer responsible for day to day delivery of part of the relevant research programme. The technicians will carry out and assist in the necessary fieldwork using standard methodologies and assist in the compilation of relevant biotic and abiotic information for Irish lakes and rivers. They will also assist the Research Officer in the compilation and analysis of information collected (e.g. fish abundance, environmental data, telemetry data, etc.)

ABOUT US

Inland Fisheries Ireland are the environmental agency responsible for protecting, managing and conserving Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

More information can be found by visiting our website.

VISION, MISSION & VALUES

Vision

To place the inland fisheries resource in the best sustainable position possible for the benefit of future generations.

Mission

To protect, manage and conserve Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources and to maximise their sustainability and natural biodiversity.

Values

• We work collaboratively with professionalism
• We are open, transparent and accountable
• We act with respect and integrity
• We are committed to stewardship and sustainability

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This role will involve a significant element of field survey work all over Ireland. Field work will be influenced by weather; consequently the position will require flexibility regarding working hours. Transport will be provided for field duties.

The position will be based in IFI’s Head Office in Citywest (Dublin) and travelling on a daily/weekly basis will be a requirement.

The work will require frequent physical exertion while conducting field activities, including walking over rough, uneven terrain, lifting equipment, wading in streams/rivers and working in boats.

Main duties will include:

General

• Work closely with the Research Officer to ensure agreed deadlines are reached.

• Work independently in the field and with the support of other IFI staff when required.

Data Collection

• Collect relevant fish, abiotic and environmental data from designated waterbodies at appropriate times.

• Collect data on the distribution, biology and ecology of all fish species in selected waterbodies.

• Use new or existing technologies where appropriate to support the programme.

Data Processing

• Process and collate all sample material (including scales, otolith and opercular bone samples) to provide information on age profile and growth rates of fish species.

• Data mining and quality assure datasets for entry to IFI databases/GIS.

• Maintain raw data and all other records in a clear concise format.

Data Analysis

• Undertake data processing and analysis as necessary, including using relevant statistical techniques.

• Data entry and maintain raw data and all other records in a clear concise manner and in line with IFI’s database structure.

• Present data in report format as required.

Reporting and Communication

• Compile and maintain all records in a manner compatible with GIS.

• Input to reports where necessary.

• Liaise closely with the Research Officer/SRO responsible for the Programme and other colleagues in IFI.

Other Duties

• Assist the Research Officer in ensuring that other elements of the programme not specifically linked to data collection and analysis, are achieved in a timely and efficient manner.

• Provide any technical support necessary for timely delivery of the programme.

• Liaise with fishery owners and leaseholders, angling clubs and other industry sectors and attend / contribute to information meetings as required.

• Liaise with other IFI staff working on related projects as required.

• Carry out such other duties as may be assigned to the post from time to time by the RO/SRO.

*Note: The above attempts to outline in a broad sense the range of duties associated with a Research Technician post. However other duties may arise as the requirements of the projects and our stakeholders change over time.

REQUIREMENTS

KEY EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have the following;

Essential

• A relevant Diploma or Degree or equivalent.

• Full current driving license valid in the state.

• Demonstrable experience with working in water, working outdoors in all weathers and in small boats.

• Demonstrable experience with electrofishing and/or netting.

• Demonstrable experience of sampling and identification of fish species in Ireland.

• Demonstrable experience in fish ageing.

• Demonstrable experience in the use of statistical packages.

• Demonstrable experience in using GIS and/or Habitat Mapping Software.

• Experience in scientific report writing.

• Good experience in IT (e.g. MS Office) is required in order to support and produce documents, briefing papers, reports and presentations, etc.

• Ability to work well as part of a team and strong communications skills.

• Self-motivation and ability to work on own initiative.

• Good presentation skills.

If numerous candidates have all the above essential requirements, then the selection panel will assess candidate experience in some, but not all of the areas below.

Desirable

• A relevant Honors Degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 8).
• Full Category BE driving licence.
• Experience in using remote data collection technology.
• Experience in acoustic telemetry.

REMUNERATION

The salary scale for the position is at the level of Research Technician as applies in Inland Fisheries Ireland, it is a 10-point scale including 1long service increment (LSI):

Point 1 €40,650; Point 2 €43,188; Point 3 €44,713; Point 4 €46,587; Point 5 €48,480; Point 6 €52,077; Point 7 €55,148; Point 8 €58,252; Point 9 €61,349; Point 10 (LSI 1) €63,326 (IFI Research Technician Salary Scale as of 01/06/2024).

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

These posts are offered on a specified contract basis until the end of 2024.

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