Conservation Officer On Reserve (Level 8), Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve at CapeNature

RESPONSIBILITIES:

KEY RESPONSIBILITY NO 1 – PROTECTED AREA & INTEGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

• Assist Reserve Management with effective Protected Area Management and Expansion of the Protected Area Estate aligned with conservation, access, tourism, heritage, and sustainable utilisation plans.
• Interpret and implement applicable biodiversity, conservation, financial and administrative policies, SOP’s and guidelines.
• Assist Reserve Management with effective Integrated Catchment Management aligned with conservation, access, tourism, heritage, and sustainable utilisation plans and mitigate related risks.
• Assist Reserve Management with effective ecological management integrating conservation, access, tourism, natural heritage, and sustainable utilisation to identify and mitigate risks.
• Assist Reserve Management with conservation management and monitoring at protected area and landscape levels and ensuring progressive operationalization of various CapeNature programmes.
• Assist Reserve Management with progressive Integrated Catchment Management, with regards to fire and fuel load management and alien vegetation management.
• Undertake project management as it pertains to appointment of service providers or implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme including but not limited to invasive species control and eradication, the making of firebreaks, etc.
• Assist Reserve Management with management of assets and infrastructure.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY NO 2 – HUMAN RESOURCES AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Manage a dynamic field team in keeping with legislation, policies, and procedures and promote a highly productive and motivated team.
• Implement sound Human Resource Management.
• Manage Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) appointed at the Vrolijkheid and Riviersonderend Complex.
• Ensure the timeous submission of quality reports, administration, attendance registers, standby, subsistence and travel allowance and overtime claims in the prescribed formats and in keeping with policy and procedure.
• Implement the Occupational Health and Safety Act and associated policies and procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY NO 3 – FINANCE & ADMIN and ASSET / INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

• Implement Financial and Administration Management in keeping with applicable legislation, policies and procedures.
• Assist with Implementation of the Supply Chain Management Policies and procedures.
• Support effective financial, supply chain management, asset, fleet and administration management for the component.
• Assist with Implementation of Asset and Inventory management.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY NO 4 – TOURISM, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND AWARENESS & PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Undertake Environmental Awareness Activities.
• Ensure a quality tourism experience and well maintained facilities in collaboration with CapeNature’s Ecotourism and Access Directorate.
• Undertake environmental control officer duties as and when required.
• Participate in stakeholder / partnership meetings as it pertains to the achievement of protected area goals and objectives.
• Prepare reports on the findings of infrastructure assessments.
• Develop and implement infrastructure maintenance schedules and assist in the management of activities, facilities and infrastructure.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY NO 5 – COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Implement compliance monitoring and law enforcement on and off reserves to protect biodiversity and promote access through responsible tourism and sustainable resource utilisation.

REQUIREMENTS:

• National Diploma Nature Conservation.
• At least 5 years’ appropriate experience in a nature conservation environment.
• Bilingualism in two of the three official languages of the Western Cape.
• A valid driver’s license
• Knowledge of environmental legislation.
• No criminal record
• Appointed EMI or Peace officer.

COMPETENCIES

• Fire suppression
• Willingness to work irregular hours, after hours and perform stand-by duties
• Thorough working knowledge of MS Office
• Good written, verbal, interpersonal and communication skills in English
• Physical fitness to be able to perform activities
• Appropriate ICS 200/300 training
• QGIS (or equivalent)
• A skipper license will be an added advantage.