Ross Stewart
What employment sector do you work in?
Private Sector
How long have you had a green job for nature?
2 years
Please describe the work that you do.
We conduct assessments for potential development sites, through these assessments we are able to understand potential impacts to the surrounding landscape or immediate landscape within the proposed site. Depending on the project we host numerous assessments for protected species such as red squirrel, smooth newt, common lizard, badger, pine marten and otter surveys. During both the wintering and breeding bird season, we carry out numerous bird surveys for larger projects!
What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?
I love being outdoors, seeing parts of Northern Ireland many don’t get to see! I enjoy client facing work, working with developers who understand sustainable development and willing to do all appropriate assessments to ensure biodiversity is not severley impacted!
What inspired you into this career?
My interest in ecology stemmed from the scientific method applied to the ever dynamic landscapes and when these assessments are carried out, being able to see the conclusion in practice or biodiversity protected.
Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?
Within proposed developments I am usually amongst the youngest involved, and in being a young professional as opposed to a veteran of the sector, I haven’t got the decades of knowledge and experience, this just keep me wanting to learn and improve!
What education/training did you have?
I studied biology at Queen’s, prior to this I attended SRC in Newry and studied Applied Science for two years. I completed my first bat season in my final year of university, since then I’ve been a permanent member of the team ever since!
Through this role, I am now trained in aerial PRF inspections for roosting bats (LANTRA certified) and have also completed the bat acoustic course curated by Neil Middleton.
What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession?
With regards to experience, don’t be afraid to try anything, whether it is in an area you dislike or have no passion about!
Gaining a vast array of experience is always necessary in a field that is so varied!
Always complete the work you’ve been given to your best standard and management and members of staff will see the effort you put in!
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Tags: Northern Ireland, Private sector, Ecologist, Environmental adviser, Ecological consultant
Date profile submitted: 01/05/2026
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