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

CapeNature; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days annual leave

Pension/Insurance benefits

Staff discounts on accommodation

Bursary and training opportunities

Job summary

CapeNature seeks two Marine Rangers to support Berg Estuary and related MPAs through patrols, enforcement and biodiversity monitoring. You will help with incident responses, reporting, stakeholder engagement and technology-enabled operations under established protocols.

Ideal candidates have a Nature Conservation diploma, a skipper license, and field enforcement experience, with bilingual communication skills and readiness for irregular hours and standby duties.

Qualifications

• National Diploma in Nature Conservation or equivalent at NQF 6.
• Skippers License (Category “R”, “E” or higher).
• At least 2 years of job-related experience in estuary, coastal or marine enforcement/anti-poaching.
• Working knowledge of enforcement operations, operational plans and vessel-based operations.
• A valid EB driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to marine and coastal conservation actions to enhance biodiversity resilience at estuaries and MPAs.
• Participate in disaster management responses at a local level.
• Assist enforcement and risk management in estuary and MPA-based operations.
• Engage stakeholders and promote responsible access to estuaries and coastal areas.
• Support knowledge exchange, capacity building and mentorship within Marine and Coasts Operations.

Skills

MS Office

Communication skills

Bilingual

Analytical mindset

Education

National Diploma in Nature Conservation

Skippers License (R/E or higher)

EB driver’s license

Tools

QGIS

Job description

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 preserve 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.”

Closing date: 14 October 2026