Latest Jobs at CapeNature

Job Description

• CapeNature seeks to appoint dedicated conservationists who will contribute meaningfully to the conservation of biodiversity through protected area management with a strong emphasis on the marine environment. The successful candidates 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 positions will report to the Conservation Manager on Reserve, Geelkrans Nature Reserve Complex

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Enhance biodiversity resilience through targeted ecosystem conservation, restoration initiatives and effective protected area 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.
• Alien invasive species management: Carry out alien invasive species management in the Protected Area.
• Heritage tasks: Carry out identified functions related to historical, cultural, archaeological and palaeontological asset management in the Protected Area.

Assist with protected area 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.
• 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.
• Partnerships and collaborative activities: Perform functions as required for collaborative activities throughout the Landscape (MOA/U support and/or compliance).

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 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.

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. 

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.
• 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:

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12
• At least 2 years’ experience with an emphasis on protected areas and or estuary, coastal and the marine environment.
• A valid driver’s license with at least three years’ driving experience.
• Skippers Category C or higher with 2 years’ experience (Marine Field Ranger post)
• A working knowledge of enforcement operations, specifically the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act and the Marine Living Resources Act.
• Computer literacy (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, GIS).
• Knowledge and experience in ecological monitoring and law enforcement.
• Knowledge and experience in firefighting and incident response.
• Bilingualism in two of the three official languages of the Western Cape.
• No criminal record.

Competencies

• Willingness to work weekend shifts and irregular hours.
• Physical ability to perform Field Ranger duties, including the ability to swim.
• Strong analytical, strategic and creative problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge and experience in working with the public, maintenance of infrastructure and law enforcement.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment managing multiple projects and tight deadlines.
• Good project planning and organising skills.
• Ability to function independently (unsupervised) and within a team.
• Computer literacy plus advanced proficiency in MS-Office.
• Ability to work in a marine / aquatic environment.

Recommendation:

• National Diploma in Nature Conservation and/or Marine Science.
• Possession of a valid Peace Officer’s certificate, EMI Grade 5 certification or a type of enforcement experience.
• Appropriate firefighting certificate.
• 4x4 Driving skills and experience.
• ICS 100 certification.
• Use of GIS software.
• Ability to swim and be water safe.

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Job Description

• This Conservation Officer: Off-Reserve, Peninsula 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 Peninsula.

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 West
• 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 prescribed 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.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications and Experience

• National Diploma in Nature Conservation / equivalent qualification at NQF 6 in a Nature Conservation field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in the Conservation Sector.
• A valid EB driver’s license and willingness to drive long distances
• Advanced computer literacy in Microsoft Office 8 including MS Word, Excel, Power Point.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills in at least 2 of the official languages of the Western Cape.
• Knowledge and Understanding of Environmental Legislation.
• Experience in implementation of Stewardship methodology.
• EMI grade 2
• No criminal record

Competencies

• Strong ability in conflict resolution skills.
• Exceptional ability to work effectively within teams.
• High competency in computer literacy and report writing skills.
• Project Management experience.
• Physical fitness to perform duties and inspections.
• High levels of personal responsibility and accountability.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Willingness to travel regularly and ability to drive on 4x4 terrain.
• Experience in awareness raising and extension services.
• Experience with managing Damage Causing Animals.
• Knowledge of ecology found in the area.
• Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• B-Tech Degree in Nature Conservation / appropriate Master’s Degree will be advantageous.