Conservation Officer Off Reserve (Level 8), Witzenberg Landscape Unit (Paarl Office) at CapeNature

Job Description

This position is suited to a dedicated conservationist who seeks to contribute meaningfully to the conservation of biodiversity through protected area expansion and biodiversity stewardship and extension services, environmental compliance and enforcement, land use support and wildlife extension, and the promotion voluntary compliance, environmental awareness and stakeholder relations in Landscape Central.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Protected Area Expansion and Management of the Conservation Estate

• Ensure effective Integrated Management and expansion of the Protected Area Estate.
• Contribute to the drafting of, and ensure implementation of, the Landscape Central Protected Area Expansion Implementation Plan and Annual Plan of Operations for biodiversity stewardship sites.
• Contribute towards peer learning in the field of protected area expansion and biodiversity stewardship.
• Ensure dissemination of legislative, policy and strategy products to relevant stakeholders (external and internal as may be required).
• Submit inputs/comments on draft legislation, policies strategies, protocols, and other prescripts.
• Contribute to planning and review of monitoring and surveillance projects with the Landscape Intelligence Unit and implement projects aimed at ecological monitoring and surveillance.
• Ensure data collection in appropriate databases, data management and submission to the relevant component including but not limited to state of biodiversity, game distribution, etc).
• Provide biodiversity stewardship site managers access to special project funding opportunities.
• Create and participate in opportunities for peer learning.

Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement on protected areas and in the Landscape

• Implement procedures applicable to the administration and issuance of biodiversity authorisations.
• Implement compliance monitoring and undertake biodiversity crime prevention activities and investigation into incidents of non-compliance.
• Lead and/or participate in investigations/joint operations with regards to non-compliance with legislation and/or prepare reports of non-compliance for submission to the relevant authority.
• Prepare and issue admission of guilt fines, contribute to the preparation of case dockets for submission SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority.
• Conduct mandatory inspections, prepare and submit inspection reports for biodiversity authorisations within legislated timeframes (including but not limited to habitat assessments, game management plans, CITES and damage causing wildlife/injured wildlife interventions).
• Conduct resource base assessments and prepare reports.
• Review biodiversity authorisation applications and provide recommendations related to applications for authorisation.
• Review and recommend management plans and risk assessments against policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols.
• Conduct compliance and enforcement patrols.
• Prepare and maintain monthly Annual Performance Plan and Biodiversity Monitoring System reports.

Awareness and extension to promote conservation in the landscape

• Provide technical support and extension in promotion of biodiversity conservation and compliance to land managers and wildlife owners.
• Provide an extension service to managers of biodiversity stewardship sites and wildlife.
• Provide environmental education and awareness as and when required.
• Undertake biodiversity site assessments

Partnerships and Stakeholder relations

• Ensure effective participation and cooperation with stakeholders in the Landscape.
• Collaborate with partners for the implementation of biodiversity stewardship.
• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies in support of biodiversity crime prevention and response.

Finance, Asset Management and Administration

• Assist with effectively managing, supervising, and developing employees.
• Assist with induction, orientation, training and mentoring of employees.
• Contribute to an effective performance management system.
• Ensure effective health and safety management and adherence to protocols.
• Adherence to financial system procedures and protocols, including asset management.
• Compilation and submission of monthly and/or quarterly reports.

REQUIREMENTS:

• National Diploma: Nature Conservation or equivalent.
• At least three years appropriate experience.
• A valid code B driver’s license and a willingness to drive long distances.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills in at least two official languages spoken in the rural areas of the Western Cape.
• Knowledge of relevant environmental legislation.
• Advanced computer literacy Microsoft Office 8 including MS Word, Excel, Power Point.
• Sound report writing and presentation skills.
• No criminal record.

COMPETENCIES

• Environmental Management Inspectorate qualification (EMI).
• Experience in awareness raising and extension services.
• Experience with managing Damage Causing Animals.
• Knowledge of ecology found in the area.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Good understanding of environmental legislation.
• Good understanding of the criminal procedures act.
• High levels of personal responsibility and accountability.
• Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• High level of physical fitness to perform inspection in mountainous terrain.