CapeNature invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for permanent conservation vacancies based in Porterville, Western Cape. These opportunities are ideal for dedicated conservation professionals who want to contribute to biodiversity protection, protected area management, stewardship, environmental compliance, stakeholder engagement and sustainable conservation programmes.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | CapeNature |
| Closing Date | 04 June 2026 |
| Location | Porterville, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Application Method | Online application |
| Application Website | capenature.simply.hr |
Conservation Manager on Reserve: Grootwinterhoek Nature Reserve
Level: 10
Division: Conservation Operations
Business Unit: Landscape West
Location: Grootwinterhoek Nature Reserve, Porterville, Western Cape
Salary: R780 683 – R902 682 per annum
Closing Date: 04 June 2026
Requirements
Applicants must have a National Diploma in Nature Conservation or an equivalent qualification at NQF Level 6 in a Nature Conservation field.
Applicants must have at least five years’ management experience in the conservation sector.
The following are also required:
Incident Command Training, including ICS 100 and ICS 200, thorough working knowledge of MS Office and GIS, a valid EB driver’s licence, willingness to travel regularly, ability to drive on 4×4 terrain, bilingualism in at least two official languages of the Western Cape, no criminal record, and physical fitness to perform duties in rugged mountainous terrain.
Recommendations
A postgraduate degree in Nature Conservation, Natural Sciences or Sustainable Development will be advantageous.
Other advantages include IC Type 5 Single Resource, Fire Boss Level 1 or Position Specific ICS Training, experience in fynbos fire management and alien vegetation management, protected area management experience, strong leadership, conflict resolution, financial management, project management, world heritage site management, disaster management and landscape partnership experience.
Duties
The successful candidate will manage biodiversity conservation and restoration initiatives within the Grootwinterhoek Nature Reserve Complex.
Key responsibilities include implementing protected area management plans, restoring and protecting ecological infrastructure, improving conservation operations, supporting protected area expansion, implementing compliance and enforcement actions, improving the conservation status of priority species and ecosystems, and maintaining partnerships that address biodiversity loss.
The candidate will also support biodiversity economy activities, environmental programmes, sustainable harvesting, local community involvement, stakeholder engagement, public-private partnerships, governance, risk management, occupational health and safety compliance, and staff performance management.
Important Note
The successful candidate must reside in official accommodation at Grootwinterhoek Nature Reserve and will pay subsidised rent.
Conservation Officer Off Reserve: Cederberg Landscape Unit, Porterville Office
Division: Conservation Operations
Business Unit: Landscape West
Location: Porterville, Western Cape
Salary: R530 920 – R613 169 per annum
Closing Date: 04 June 2026
Requirements
Applicants must have a National Diploma in Nature Conservation or an equivalent qualification.
Applicants must have at least three years’ appropriate experience.
The following are also required:
A valid Code B or EB driver’s licence, willingness to travel regularly and drive long distances, ability to drive on 4×4 terrain, project management experience, experience working with local communities, willingness to work irregular hours and perform standby duties, knowledge of environmental legislation, working knowledge of MS Office and GIS packages such as QGIS, physical fitness, strong leadership and conflict resolution skills, good communication skills in English and Afrikaans, bilingualism in two official languages of the Western Cape, willingness to live and work in remote protected areas, and no criminal record.
Competencies
Applicants should have good project planning and organising skills, analytical and strategic thinking, problem-solving ability, stakeholder engagement skills, conflict resolution skills, personal accountability and an understanding of environmental legislation.
Peace Officer qualification and Environmental Management Inspectorate qualification will be advantageous.
Duties
The successful candidate will support protected area expansion, biodiversity stewardship, compliance monitoring, land use support, wildlife extension, environmental awareness, project implementation and stakeholder relations.
Key duties include implementing protected area expansion plans, supporting biodiversity stewardship sites, providing input on legislation and policies, collecting biodiversity data, conducting compliance monitoring, investigating biodiversity crime and non-compliance, preparing inspection reports, reviewing biodiversity authorisation applications, conducting patrols, providing technical support to land managers, supporting environmental education, engaging stakeholders and coordinating Integrated Catchment Management projects.
Benefits for Permanent CapeNature Employees
Permanent CapeNature employees receive benefits such as 24 days of annual leave per cycle, pension fund-linked benefits, staff discounts of up to 50% on CapeNature accommodation, career development opportunities, access to training, internal bursary opportunities subject to policy guidelines, wellness support and the opportunity to contribute to environmental sustainability.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the CapeNature recruitment portal.
To apply and view more details, visit the CapeNature official vacancies portal.
Applicants must ensure that they submit a complete application before the closing date.
Important Notes for Applicants
It is compulsory for successful candidates to become members of the CapeNature Pension Fund.
If a successful candidate is already a member of a medical aid, they must provide proof of membership before starting employment with CapeNature.
A valid driver’s licence is essential for these posts, as the positions require travel and fieldwork in conservation areas.
CapeNature reserves the right to make appointments in line with its employment and operational requirements.