This unique role offers a diverse six-week cycle that spans the heart of the reserve: from leading and mentoring passionate volunteers, to two weeks of intensive, full-time pangolin monitoring. Reporting directly to the Research Manager, you will be the ‘eyes and ears’ of their conservation strategy, ensuring that both their data collection and people management are of the highest standard.

Core criteria:

• Decent knowledge of Maputaland and Zululand ecosystems
• Strong computer literacy
• Valid PDP and Code 8 Driver’s License
• Experience with 4×4/wilderness driving preferable
• Minimum FGASA level one or BSc Degree in Conservation/Biology/Wildlife Management/Ecology or similar field
• Minimum First Aid level one
• Rifle competency certificate and SAPS registered, preferably
• Some relevant wildlife working experience will be beneficial
• Experience walking and tracking in a Big5 reserve, preferably
• Management skills
• The ability to co-ordinate day to day operations
• Must be feedback-friendly
• The ability to remain calm under stress
• Have a very good work ethic
• People’s person with great communication skills – with volunteers and fellow staff members
• Good organisational ability

Key responsibilities:

• Manage the volunteer programmes, including the volunteer houses, vehicles, etc.
• Manage volunteers and students
• Ensuring the cleanliness of the camp, food orders, logistics, maintenance, etc.  
• Daily Data Collection of Elephant, Cheetah, Lion, White Rhino, Buffalo, Pangolin, and Black Rhino, amongst other ecological data and species 
• Radio tracking (using telemetry) as and when required 
• Camera trapping and drive counts as and when required
• Assisting the conservation management team with the collection of various samples
• Assisting external researchers & students in their data collection 
• Assist with the collection of ecological samples and data of immobilized animals 
• Assist with the collection of samples for external researchers & students as and when required
• Compiling, updating and maintaining of ID kits for various species
• Assist the conservation management team when required

This is a live-in position. 
Salary: Market-related

About the Role

Join Wild Dreams Hospitality as an Ecological Monitor in Zululand, where you’ll play a vital role in conserving the region’s unique ecosystems. As a key member of our team, you’ll be responsible for leading and mentoring passionate volunteers, conducting intensive pangolin monitoring, and providing essential data collection support to our conservation strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage volunteer programmes, including the volunteer houses, vehicles, etc.
• Manage volunteers and students
• Ensure the cleanliness of the camp, food orders, logistics, maintenance, etc.
• Daily Data Collection of Elephant, Cheetah, Lion, White Rhino, Buffalo, Pangolin, and Black Rhino, amongst other ecological data and species
• Radio tracking (using telemetry) as and when required
• Camera trapping and drive counts as and when required
• Assist the conservation management team with the collection of various samples
• Assist external researchers & students in their data collection
• Assist with the collection of ecological samples and data of immobilized animals
• Compile, update, and maintain ID kits for various species

Requirements

• Decent knowledge of Maputaland and Zululand ecosystems
• Strong computer literacy
• Valid PDP and Code 8 Driver’s License
• Experience with 4×4/wilderness driving (preferred)
• Minimum FGASA level one or BSc Degree in Conservation/Biology/Wildlife Management/Ecology or similar field
• Minimum First Aid level one
• Rifle competency certificate and SAPS registered (preferably)
• Some relevant wildlife working experience will be beneficial
• Experience walking and tracking in a Big5 reserve (preferred)
• Management skills
• The ability to co-ordinate day to day operations
• Must be feedback-friendly
• The ability to remain calm under stress
• Have a very good work ethic
• People’s person with great communication skills – with volunteers and fellow staff members
• Good organisational ability

Qualifications

Minimum FGASA level one or BSc Degree in Conservation/Biology/Wildlife Management/Ecology or similar field

Salary & Benefits

Market-related salary