Fresh Jobs at CapeNature

Job Description

• CapeNature seeks to appoint a dynamic and committed individual to undertake and assist with daily nature conservation operations and eco-tourism operations, including administrative duties and maintenance and repair of infrastructure, equipment and eco-tourism products at the De Hoop Nature Reserve.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

KRA 1 – NATURE CONSERVATION AND INTEGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

• Assist with field tasks related to nature conservation, monitoring and surveillance
• Assist with integrated annual operations and work plan tasks
• Assist with the implementation of ecological programmes and monitoring and surveillance, data collection and record keeping
• Assist with alien invasive plant density verifications and inspections and firebreak assessments and inspections
• Execute firefighting duties as per standards and protocols
• Assist with risks, threats and hazards identification and report to management
• Assist with fauna and flora management on the reserve; indigenous, invasive and exotic
• Assist with the ecological restoration of degraded areas
• Perform stand-by duties as per duty rosters and respond timeously to call outs and incident response

KRA 2 – ECO-TOURISM, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

• Provide visitors with information regarding the nature reserve, fauna, flora and conditions for access to the nature reserve
• Assist with gate guard duties when gate guards are on training or engaged with other duties as assigned by management
• Monitor and manage visitor behaviour and report incidents
• Ensure CapeNature’s customer care principles are maintained and implemented
• Assist with guest check-in and check-out procedures
• Assist with search and rescue operations in keeping with protocols and procedures
• Assist stakeholder engagement officers and field rangers with the implementation of environmental education and awareness programmes
• Perform Environment Control Officer (ECO) duties for film / photo shoots and events

KRA 3 – MAINTENANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT

• Ensure the terrain is clean, neat and tidy at all times
• Undertake and/or assist with structure protection of office and eco-tourism nodes
• Manage stores and associated assets
• Identify maintenance needs and assist with the development of maintenance and repairs schedules:
• Office buildings and stores, accommodation units, camping and picnic areas, ablutions and pools
• Roads, trails, walkways and boardwalks
• Fences, gates, booms and access management structures, and other infrastructure, e.g. water reticulation systems
• Tools and equipment
• Vehicles
• Gardens and terrain
• Signage (for operational and visitor information purposes)
• Implement the maintenance schedule as prescribed

KRA 4 – OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS), ADMINISTRATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES

• Participate in OHS assessments and OHS toolbox talks and provide input for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA)
• Ensure compliance with OHS procedures and standards
• Assist with identification and mitigation of risks and threats in the work environment.
• Assist with obtaining quotes for purchases related to duties.
• Assist with administrative duties as and when required and adhere to CapeNature protocols and procedures
• Assist with the preparation of fire logs and reports as and when required
• From time to time, assist with supervision of contract staff and students
• As and when required, assist with training of contract staff and students
• Participate in meetings as required by management
• Undertake transport duties

KRA 5 – LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE MONITORING

• Assist with patrols as per compliance plans and duty roster
• Report instances of unauthorised activities and/or non-compliance with access permit conditions
• Undertake permit checks and inspections at entrance points and within the Nature Reserve
• Participate in law enforcement operations and the manning of observation points
• Assist in the response to incidents of non-compliance / unauthorised activities

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12
• At least two years of related experience
• A valid code B driver’s license at least two years old from the date of issue
• Computer literacy (MS Word, MS Excel, Internet and online platforms)
• No criminal record

COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of nature-based tourism and nature conservation
• Willingness to work irregular hours and after hours such as on weekends and public holidays and perform standby duties as per duty roster
• Physical fitness and ability to spend long hours outdoors often under strenuous conditions, undertake foot and vehicular/vessel patrols, search and rescue and firefighting and alien invasive species clearing operations
• Ability to repair and maintain equipment and infrastructure
• Good interpersonal skills
• Supervisory skills
• Conflict management skills
• Professional communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to live and work in a remote environment with limited connectivity at times

Recommendation/Added Advantage:

• Experience in tool and equipment operation and repair and maintenance with accredited certificates.
• Power tool repair and maintenance experience
• General infrastructure repair and maintenance
• Stores management experience
• First Aid Certificate
   

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Job Description

• CapeNature seeks to appoint a dedicated conservationist who will contribute meaningfully to the conservation of biodiversity through protected area management. The successful candidate will also support conservation efforts in line with CapeNature’s integrated catchment management approach. Key responsibilities include compliance monitoring and law enforcement, eco-tourism, environmental education, stakeholder engagement, and contributing to integrated catchment management to help achieve the vision and goals of the Protected Area Complex.
• The position will report to the Conservation Officer on Reserve, Bird Island Nature Reserve.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

KRA 1 - Enhance biodiversity resilience through targeted ecosystem conservation, restoration initiatives and effective protected area and estuary management.

• Ecological tasks: Carry out ecological projects as per the Protected Area Ecological Matrix and any other biodiversity conservation related tasks as required for the effective management of the Protected Area (or estuary where not declared).
• Alien invasive species management: Carry out alien invasive species management in the Protected Area (or estuary where not declared).
• Heritage tasks: Carry out identified functions related to historical, cultural, archaeological and palaeontological asset management in the Protected Area (or estuary where not declared).

KRA 2 - Assist with protected area and estuary conservation in ways that address biodiversity loss in key biodiversity areas.

• Planning: Take part in and contribute to the planning processes for the Protected Area (or estuary where not declared).
• Quality control: Undertake quality control of integrated annual operations plan projects and/or other projects in field.
• Reporting: Prepare reports and carry out reporting on activities as required.
• Maintenance: Carry out infrastructure, vehicle, vessel and equipment maintenance functions as required for the Protected Area (or estuary where not declared).
• Partnerships and collaborative activities: Perform functions as required for collaborative activities throughout the Landscape (MOA/U support and/or compliance).

KRA 3 - Contribute to conservation in promoting the biodiversity economy and enhancing biodiversity access and sustainable use.

• Job creation: Support the implementation of targeted biodiversity economic activities to promote job creation, work opportunities, and livelihood support.
• Access: Manage access to the Protected Area (or estuary where not declared) for recreational, educational, training, research, traditional, cultural and spiritual purposes; manage volunteers and citizen scientists.
• Eco-tourism and visitor liaison: Support eco-tourism and visitor liaison activities as and when required for the Protected Area (or estuary where not declared)

KRA 4 - Contribute to conservation action to advocate for a nature positive future through behavioural change and voluntary compliance.

• Environmental awareness: Carry out environmental awareness activities.
• Capacity building: Carry out capacity building activities.
• Compliance monitoring and law enforcement: Carry out compliance monitoring and law enforcement activities as per integrated workplans, compliance plans, joint operations plans, as well as any other proactive and reactive actions necessary for the effective management of the Protected Area (or estuary where not declared).

KRA 5 - Take accountability for performance, governance, risk management and equality in the workplace.

• Health and safety: Participate in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) assessments and OHS toolbox talks and provide input for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA); Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety standards and requirements.
• Incident preparedness and response, e.g. fires, disasters (e.g. floods, oil spill, vessel grounding), disease outbreaks, marine wildlife strandings and search and rescues: Carry out firefighting, disaster management, incident response and rescue operations as required for the Protected Area (or estuary where not declared).
• Administration: Carry out necessary administrative tasks.
• Training: Undergo relevant training as and when required.
• Supervision: Undertake supervision of Conservation Assistants, contract staff, students and volunteers.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Grade 12
• At least 2 years’ experience with an emphasis on protected areas and or estuary, coastal and the marine environment.
• Working knowledge of Conservation Compliance (Law Enforcement)
• Strong computer literacy (Microsoft 365 package)
• Bilingualism in two of the three official languages of the Western Cape
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• A valid driver’s licence and experience in 4x4 driving
• Training and experience in Firefighting

ADDED ADVANTAGE AND COMPETENCIES

• National Diploma in Nature Conservation or Environmental Management.
• Peace Officer or EMI certification
• Fire arm competency
• QGIS (or equivalent mapping skills)

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Willingness and availability to work irregular hours, weekends and perform stand by duties
• Working in natural coastal terrain with adverse weather conditions
• Physical fitness to undertake patrols, inspections, firefighting tasks
• No criminal record