WCS recruits a Conservation Pilot

Bac+5 Deadline: 19 Nov 2018 2026

• 0 comments WCS recruits a Conservation Pilot

Experience

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an American non-profit organization founded in 1895. Its mission is to preserve wild fauna and flora by identifying critical problems, developing scientific solutions and carrying out conservation actions beneficial to nature and humanity. With over a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of regions, a presence in more than 60 countries and experience in the creation of more than 150 protected areas around the world, WCS has acquired the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships necessary to ensure the sustainability of wild spaces and animal species alongside local communities. Summary of the WCS position: Attached to: Field Operations Manager / Air Fleet Manager WCS

Location

Location: Epulu, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Democratic Republic of the Congo Country programme/sector: Democratic Republic of the Congo Job Type: Full-time Internal liaison: Anti-poaching team and park logistics; national logistics team Planned travel: Travel in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and occasional international travel. The Conservation Pilot will support protected area managers, including in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, through monitoring and follow-up flights, as well as logistical support flights. He will manage the aerial activities of the WCS program in Democratic Republic of the Congo on the ground, in collaboration with the WCS air program team. He will lead a small team of observers and assistants.

Responsibilities

Pilotage Expert application to safely fly aircraft (PIC) for aerial logistic support of fleet operations and protection and resource monitoring activities. Carefully follow the procedures for all flight operations. Ensure that all necessary documents relating to the aircraft are in place, up-to-date and compliant with applicable international and national aviation laws.

Education / Qualifications

Participate in and comply with regular flight management and safety training requirements. Keep a detailed flight log of all flights and flight hours, including location, passengers, purpose and duration. Air operations Supervise and maintain the highest standards of aircraft management and operation, complying with regulations, legal requirements and required maintenance plans. Ensure that all documents relating to the aircraft are in place, up-to-date and kept up to date. Maintain the aircraft in impeccable, clean and well-maintained condition, including by regularly cleaning the airframe, engine compartment and equipment. Ensure that the aircraft is always perfectly secure. Train all personnel involved in flight operations on aircraft safety rules and procedures. Manage all survey and surveillance equipment assigned to the aerial squadron.

Other information

Manage aeronautical stocks and plan supplies accordingly (aircraft gasoline, oils and other consumables). Manage airport facilities (offices, warehouses and hangar) and equipment, and ensure that the airstrip condition meets agreed standards and operational requirements. Provide logistical and organizational support to aeronautical maintenance needs. Manage the finances of flight operations in collaboration with the designated financial manager, including operational costs (landing and navigation fees, passenger taxes, etc.). Organize regular coordination and planning meetings regarding air operations with the WCS field operations manager, ecologist, monitoring manager and law enforcement team. Liaise closely with the project logistics manager for aeronautical logistics (transport, fuel, oils) and documentation (aircraft and flight authorizations). Participate in regular planning meetings and develop annual plans/budgets for the NNNP Aviation Unit. Aviation safety management Ensure that WCS standard operating procedures are fully implemented in all operations and that all requirements communicated by the WCS Fleet Manager are met. Report any safety issues, incidents and hazards, and fully contribute to WCS’s safety management system and interact with it as directed. Maintain the highest safety standards at all times. Participate in and conduct regular internal assessments, in accordance with terms and conditions agreed with the WCS Fleet Manager and as part of WCS’s Aviation Operations Safety Management System (SMS). Report all aircraft problems and incidents via established procedures (online) and direct communication with the WCS Fleet Manager.

Candidate profile

Qualifications and experience required: Valid US FAA Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument Rating; FAA Second Class Medical Certificate;

• 400 hours of flight experience as a pilot-in-command and solid knowledge of FAA regulatory operations; Experience in Africa, particularly French-speaking Africa, is an asset; Experience with a high-performance piston engine is required, preferably on a C206 or similar model; Experience with wildlife inventories, anti-poaching surveillance and bush theft in remote areas is an asset; Flight experience under FAR Part 135 and/or FAA A&P licence is an advantage; Ability to communicate effectively in multi-cultural teams or in a variety of capacities, both oral and written, to find solutions to work-related problems or issues; Willingness and motivation to settle down and live in an isolated and difficult to access place; Proficiency in English and French required. Application process: Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications, skills and experience are invited

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