2 x Marine Ranger (Level 4), Berg River Estuary - Velddrift

CapeNature seeks two dedicated Marine Rangers to provide operational support to the Berg Estuary and associated marine protected areas. The posts will strengthen field presence, vessel-based patrols, compliance and anti-poaching operations, biodiversity monitoring, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and responses to operational incidents. The appointments support effective implementation of protected-area management obligations under the Implementation Protocol between CapeNature and the Berg River Municipality.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

KRA 1: Contribute to marine and coastal conservation action to enhance biodiversity resilience through targeted ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives.

• This includes planning, implementation, and monitoring of conservation and restoration efforts to protect and conserve a functioning estuary and MPA and the associated species.
• Participate in any disaster management responses at a local level.

Implementation of estuary related planning systems and tools.

KRA 2: Contribute to marine and coastal conservation in ways that address biodiversity loss.

• Prioritize ecosystems and key indicator species thereby contributing to their conservation.
• Participate where both Conservation Operations and Biodiversity Capabilities components implement solution-based conservation-orientated interventions.
• Ensure that applied research (internal and external) mainstreamed to influence local and Marine and Coasts planning and decision-making processes.

KRA 3: To assist in risk management, governance, compliance monitoring, and effective enforcement operations in the Landscape.

• Be aware of and participate in interventions that predict, minimize, and mitigate risks due to unnatural and natural disasters.
• Ensuring that enforcement operations are effective in achieving the objectives of the estuary and MPA management plan and associated legislation, policies, agreements.
• Participation in estuary and MPA based partnerships, especially with regards to law enforcement and compliance monitoring.
• Advocate for behavioral change and promote voluntary compliance.
• Identify and motivate for innovation and improved technologies.

KRA 4: Contribute to marine and coastal conservation in promoting the biodiversity economy and enhancing biodiversity access and sustainable use.

• This includes participating in local partnerships with a focus on conservation as well as any associated non-extractive socio-economic benefits and community empowerment opportunities.
• Identify and participate in projects that are based on sustainable non-extractive economic opportunities, aligned to the entity’s directive to enhance access and socio-economic opportunities.
• Support for the implementation of targeted biodiversity economic activities to promote job creation, work opportunities, and livelihood support.
• Participate in initiatives that promote access to the estuary for recreational, educational, and traditional purposes (ecotourism offering and access to communities).
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement and learning.

KRA 5: Contribute and assist to advance knowledge exchanges, peer learning, capacity building, and mentorship.

• Participate in the Marine and Coasts Operations coaching, mentorship, and capacity building programmes.
• Participate in research, development, and implementation of innovative technologies or decision-support tools.
• Facilitating knowledge exchanges and peer learning opportunities

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• National Diploma in Nature Conservation / equivalent qualification at NQF 6 in a Nature Conservation field
• Skippers License (Category “R”, “E” or higher).
• At least 2 years of job-related experience with an emphasis on estuary, coastal or marine enforcement and anti-poaching fields
• Working knowledge of enforcement operations, operational plans and vessel-based operations.
• A valid EB driver’s licen
• No criminal record.
• Bilingualism in two of the three official languages of the Western Cape

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Possession of a valid Peace Officer’s certificate, EMI certification or a type of enforcement experience
• Evidence supporting skipper experience.

COMPETENCIES:

• Willingness to work irregular hours, after-hours, and perform stand-by duties.
• Thorough working knowledge of MS Office and QGIS (or equivalent).
• Good written, verbal, interpersonal, and communication skills in English.
• Physical fitness to be able to perform strenuous activities.
• Ability to work in integrated teams.
• Analytical/technical mindset.
• Administration skills.
• Inter-personal skills
• Problem-solving skills

AS AN EMPLOYEE OF CAPENATURE, YOU WILL ENJOY:

• 24 days of annual leave per annual leave cycle.
• Comprehensive benefits for death, critical illness or injury linked to the Pension Fund for CapeNature employees.
• Staff discounts of up to 50% on CapeNature accommodation at reserves across the Western Cape.
• Opportunities for career progression and development through internal and external training interventions, and academic growth through the internal CapeNature Bursary Programme subject to Bursary Policy guidelines.

Kindly Note: Only suitable candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

• Remuneration negotiable within the range provided, depending on current remuneration package.”

Apply online: https://capenature.simply.hr

Closing date: 14 October 2026