Wildlife & Conservation Manager at Steyn Group · Vaalwater

Shambala Private Game Reserve wish to retain the full-time services of a qualified and experienced Wildlife & Conservation Manager to become part of the team responsible for the biodiversity and conservation management of their lands under management in the Waterberg, Limpopo Province

Key performance areas/Core functions:

1. Coordinate the re-evaluation of ecological and environmental management plans for lands under biodiversity and conservation management.
2. Undertake and /or coordinate monitoring of biodiversity components commensurate with providing scientifically founded information and recommendations for decision support to management.
3. Actively participate in above management decision making.
4. Action, coordinate and supervise achievement of measurable ecological goals pertaining to -

• Habitat classification and monitoring.
• Population dynamics of all species.
• Carrying capacity and stocking rates for grazing and browsing ungulates and pachyderms
• Disease surveillance.
• Species habitat use and home ranges.
• Predator carrying capacity and stocking rates.
• Burning programme.
• Alien invasive and bush encroachment management.
• Intensive management of African buffalo.
• Land expansion and development.
• Regular appropriate wildlife counts.
• Population trends.
• Expansion of baseline data on rare, threatened, endangered and endemic species.
• Climate monitoring.
• Integration of the above into management decision support.
• Regular review of management objectives and goals.
• Wildlife introductions, translocations and removals commensurate with the above.
• Manage datasets commensurate with all the above
• Liaise and contract with consultants and academic institutions in pursuit of the above.
• Identify needs driven research priorities contingent on the above to increase management efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage administration required for the above.
• Actively pursue personal research and development including regular outputs in formal scientific, popular publications as well as formal meetings and conferences.
• Supervise postgraduate and practical students as part of the above.
• Liaise with Limpopo Province, industry and other stakeholders regarding best practice in conservation management.
• Maintain infrastructure and equipment.
• Participate in any other Company activities as and when required.

Minimum requirements:

1. Academic qualifications:

A minimum of Master of Science, Master of Technology or Master of Applied Science in Conservation Ecology, Wildlife Management, Nature Conservation, Conservation Biology or equivalent qualification preceded by either a four-year Bachelor’s or Bachelor’s plus Honour’s in any of the above from a recognized South African Institution with appropriate major subjects. Any further formal qualifications or experience in conservation management, vegetation ecology or wildlife monitoring will be of benefit.

Possession of or current registration for a Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Science or Doctor of Technology with a recognized South African Tertiary Institution in any of the above fields will enhance the application.

1. Experience:

• A valid driver’s license
• At least five (5) years’ experience as a conservation manager with a recognized biodiversity/nature conservation agency or wildlife undertaking is required
• Experience in applied ecological research and monitoring is a strong recommendation.
• Strong writing skills are essential.
• Successful supervision of students will further enhance the application.
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Office, ARC OR QGIS and TWINSPAN, DECORANA, PHYTOTAB, VEGMAP, SPACECAP, PROGRAMME R, MARK, DISTANCE, AI, MACHINE LEARNING and other appropriate software designed for specialist analyses of data will be of benefit.
• Strong quantitative skills are essential.
• Established liaison with industry partners especially SANBI, NRF, CSIR, SA National Parks, Conservation NGO’s and recognized academic institutions is a recommendation.
• Firearms competency in the category of bolt action rifles is essential.

1. Knowledge and Skills

The applicant should have all the competencies of a conservation manager with knowledge and skills related to management of technical staff, consultants, biodiversity, vegetation ecology, general ecology and broad observation networks in as far as these competencies support conservation management of Shambala within the South African context. The applicant will be expected to support the parent Company on issues related to all the above as well as liaising with ecological consultants as required.

1. Registration with professional body (if applicable):

Current professional registration with the SA Council for Natural and Allied Scientific Professions in the Fields of Practice of Ecological and/or Conservation Science and other learned societies such as the Southern African Wildlife Management Association and or industry bodies will be a further recommendation.