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Forestry Specialist

 
Vacancy Number:  27549
Category:  Commercial
Job Type:  Full-time
 

Position Description  

Applications are invited for the position of Forestry Specialist, Forestry, Network Resilience and Climate Adaptation ESB Networks.  

The Forestry Specialist will provide leadership and technical guidance to the Forestry team and the wider ESB Networks organisation of forestry management.. The Forestry Specialist will be responsible for the development and management of the Forestry management standards as applicable within ESB Networks  and drive optimum performance and delivery from forestry harvesting contractors  through staff performance, technology, and contract management.   

The role requires the development and maintenance of good relationships with key stakeholders. The Forestry Specialist must take a broad business view which addresses cross functional issues and optimises day to day management of the forestry operations in Network Resilience and Climate Adaptation and Programme Delivery areas of the ESB Networks business. A key objective is to ensure that the function consistently achieves KPIs and standards in a challenging commercial environment.   

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Organising and supervising forest harvesting operations for establishing specified forestry corridor clearances
  • Ensuring quality assurance, cost control, and compliance with industry and environmental best practice and ESB standards
  • Supporting the effective management of contractors and forest activities for ESB Networks
  • Support the ongoing development and implementation of the forestry strategy for ESB Networks
  • Develop and support ongoing improvement to ESB Forestry Standards and forestry corridor management and maintenance strategies
  • Supporting operational performance targets by developing and implementing process improvements
  • Provide advice and technical support on all aspects of forestry management and forestry practice, across relevant business units in ESB Networks
  • Provide technical input into appropriate species selection, corridor clearance and other technical considerations, including ecological considerations, for forestry corridor design
  • Drive a continuous improvement culture and foster innovation in the team constantly looking to improve current processes through digital and other means to deliver key business plan initiatives.
  • Develop Relationships with key contractors, Private Forestry Companies, Coillte, other State Agencies, Forestry Representative Organisations and other forestry stakeholders and promote ESB safety culture in forestry operations, and foster a commercial culture
  • Participate in the preparation of operational plans and budgets
  • Perform technical risk assessments on forestry corridors to support development of annual and multiyear work programmes 
  • Ensure compliance with legal obligations, ESB standards and monitor quality and delivery performance PKPIs
  • Liaise with local communities’, forest owners and internal stakeholders in ESB to deliver multiyear forestry management programme

 

Experience and Qualifications 

Essential  

  • Minimum 7 years relevant experience  

  • Knowledge of Irish Forest Service licences, schemes, standards and policies  

  • Knowledge of safety, regulatory and environmental compliance for the forestry sector    

  • Stakeholder Management Experience  

  • Contracting and office IT systems including GIS skills  

  • Strong Communication skills written and verbal  

  • Strategic and commercial business acumen   

  • Project and Programme Management  

  

Desirable  

  • Knowledge of Contract Management   

  • Knowledge of FIDIC forms of Contract  

   

Qualification  

Either 3rd Level qualification (Level 8) Degree in Forestry or equivalent, or another educational qualification* that has been assessed by the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) or The Society of Irish Foresters SIF   

   

Location  

Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Portlaoise, Sligo & Galway.    

(ESBN operate a hybrid smart working model subject to business needs. An appropriate location will be decided with the successful candidate and alternative locations may be considered subject to manager approval and ongoing review, based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the individual.)  

ESB is committed to smart working – combining digital tools with a culture of trust and empowerment to enable flexible ways of working. The successful candidate may work flexibly within their jurisdiction with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration on at least one anchor day per week. All smart working arrangements are subject to manager approval and ongoing review, based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the individual. 

   

Reporting to  

Forestry Operations Manager Forestry, Climate Adaptation , ESBN.  

  

Why Work with Us? 

  • Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition to net zero carbon future 

  • Career development through mentoring and training  

  • Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities 

  • Sports and Social Clubs 

  • Networking opportunities 

  • Credit Union 

  • Generous Pension 

  • Access to staff well-being programmes 

  • Generous parental leave entitlements 

  • Strong values-based and inclusive culture 

  • Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 

  • Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted 

  

Salary 

€69,000 to €81,000 per annum

 

Closing Date 

27th November 2025

 

 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

ESB is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society and ensure that no one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or belief, ethnicity or nationality, disability, age, citizenship, marital status, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis as protected by law. 

Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence, recruitment@esb.ie.  

About ESB

Join us in our mission to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2040. ESB is Ireland’s leading energy utility, with activities spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution, energy supply, energy services and international consultancy. Operating in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, we invest over €1 billion each year to deliver a new energy future based on reliable, affordable zero-carbon electricity.
 

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