Job Description

CapeNature is looking for a Conservation Officer: On Reserve to undertake protected area operations at the Limietberg Nature Reserve & World Heritage Site to support and assist the Conservation Manager in the provision of professional, coordinated and integrated protected area management and project management to enhance ecosystem conservation and restoration, promote landscape conservation and stewardship, facilitate access, promote advocacy, monitor and manage environmental law enforcement and compliance and ensure performance and risk management. This position is suited to a competent, analytical, dedicated conservationist who has adequate knowledge and experience in protected area and World Heritage Site biodiversity conservation and management, project management, compliance and enforcement and a clear understanding of CapeNature’s legal obligations, mandate, and environmental protection.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Protected Area Management and Integrated Catchment Management

Assist Reserve Management to achieve effective protected area management and expansion of the protected area estate aligned to relevant strategic plans.
Demonstrate strategic capability and leadership and implement the protected area management plan and associated subsidiary and annual plans of operation, including monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
Interpret and implement applicable biodiversity, conservation, financial and administrative policies, plans, systems, standard operating procedures and guidelines.
Assist Reserve Management to achieve effective Integrated Catchment Management aligned to relevant strategic and operational plans and mitigate risk.
Assist Reserve Management with effective biodiversity management to integrate conservation, access and heritage management, implement sustainable utilisation and identify and mitigate risks.
Assist Reserve Management with conservation operations and monitoring at protected area and landscape level and ensure progressive operationalisation of various CapeNature initiatives.
Assist Reserve Management with progressive Integrated Catchment Management, with regards to invasive species, fire, and fuel load management.
Undertake project management and implement contract management.
Assist Reserve Management and the Landscape with the building of relationships with neighbors in the field of protected area expansion through the provision of a landscape-scale biodiversity conservation extension service aimed at securing species and ecosystems of conservation concern.
Assist Reserve Management and the Landscape with identified actions to improve the conservation status of priority species and ecosystems.
Manage infrastructure maintenance schedules.
Prepare progress reports as per agreed timeframes and report on the implementation of work plans.
Prepare site level data to inform annual operations plans and prepare relevant plans with Reserve Management.

Environmental Education and Awareness and Stakeholder Management

Implement environmental education and awareness as per strategic plans, subsidiary plans and annual plans of operation.
Facilitate access and citizen science at Limietberg Nature Reserve.
Play an active role in the Limietberg Protected Area Advisory Committee.
Maintain a sound relationship with neighbours and partners.
Support Reserve Management in the collaboration with neighbours and relevant stakeholders to collectively address land and/or water use activities that may have negative impacts on Limietberg Nature Reserve.

Compliance Monitoring and Law Enforcement

Implement effective compliance monitoring and law enforcement in Limietberg Nature Reserve & World Heritage Site and the reserve’s zone of influence to protect biodiversity and promote voluntary compliance.
Undertake regular patrols and implement rapid response / contingency plans.
Maintain the compliance and enforcement monitoring database and prepare monthly reports.
Contribute to the implementation of the Central Region’s on reserve compliance plan.
Issue admission of guilt fines (J534s).
Issue voluntary compliance notices.
Investigate terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity crime originating within or directly linked to the reserve.
Compile investigation dockets (including photo albums and witness / investigation statements etc).
Collaborate with the SAPS to ensure successful investigations.
Present evidence in court (testifying).
Ensure the implementation of CapeNature’s biodiversity legal mandate through compliance and enforcement actions and activities as it relates to the reserve.

Human Resource Management and Occupational Health and Safety

Assist Reserve Management with the management of the reserve’s staff component in line with applicable legislative frameworks, policies, and procedures to ensure a highly productive and motivated team.
Implement performance management.
Ensure that targets for the number of Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) appointed at Limietberg Nature Reserve are met.
Prepare and submit quality reports, attendance registers, standby pre-approvals and claims, subsistence and travel claims, overtime pre-approvals and claims in the prescribed formats timeously.
Implement and adhere to Occupational Health and Safety Act policy and procedure and ensure sound incident reporting and investigation.

Finance and Administration and Asset / Inventory Management

Implement sound financial and administration management in accordance with applicable legislative frameworks, policy, and procedure.
Implement and adhere to procurement policy and procedure.
Support effective financial, supply chain management, asset, fleet, and administration management for the Limietberg Nature Reserve.
Implement asset and inventory stock management and control.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications

National Diploma in Nature Conservation and/or Environmental Management at (NQF 6).
At least 3 years’ experience working in the field of nature conservation and protected area management.
A valid EB or B (08) driver’s license’, willingness to travel regularly and ability to competently drive on 4x4 terrain.
EMI Grade 2.
Peace Officer.
ICS 100, 200 and 300 certifications.
No criminal record.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
Proficiency in GIS applications (such as QGIS and Google Earth).
Bilingualism in at least 2 of the official languages of the Western Cape.
Excellent communication in English both written and spoken.
Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
Project management experience.
Experience working with and fostering good relationships with local communities and protected area neighbours.
Willingness to work irregular hours, after hours and to perform stand-by duties.
Knowledge of environmental legislation.
Physical fitness to perform duties under physically demanding conditions and rugged mountainous and coastal terrain.
Strong leadership and conflict resolution skills.
Willingness and ability to work in remote, mountainous areas.
Ability to swim.

Experience & Competencies

Extensive knowledge and demonstrated experience in integrated fire management within protected areas, including the effective application of the Incident Command System.
Extensive knowledge and proven experience in protected area management within a nature reserve environment.
Demonstrated expertise in stakeholder liaison, engagement, and relationship management in the context of protected area management.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple projects in a fast-paced protected area management environment while meeting operational priorities and deadlines.
Knowledge in administrative enforcement, criminal procedure, criminal justice, court procedure, crime investigation and criminal case docket compilation and management.
Extensive knowledge and relevant experience in environmental and administrative decision-making processes.
Extensive knowledge of organizational legal mandates, duties, functions, and responsibilities.
Extensive knowledge and experience of compliance and enforcement methods, procedures, policies, and the laws governing and prescribing the powers, duties and authorities of compliance and enforcement officials.
Knowledge and understanding of biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and environmental management and its related governance and regulation.
In-depth knowledge of ecological processes and biodiversity management.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the biodiversity of the Western Cape, and the primary threats to biodiversity in the province.
Good understanding of conservation and ecological issues in the Western Cape Province.
Experience in implementation of CapeNature’s Stewardship methodology.
Strong leadership and people management skills.
Good ability to work effectively within teams (as a leader and as team member).
Physical fitness to perform duties and inspections.
High levels of personal responsibility, integrity and accountability.
Ability to work under pressure.
Willingness to travel regularly and ability to drive on 4x4 terrain.

RECOMMENDATION:

A degree in Nature Conservation and / or Environmental Management (NQF 7 or higher).
Experience in junior management level in a related field will be an added advantage

Please send your resume/CV