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Regional hiringpublishedExternal employer
WCWildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)•Wildlife Conservation

Conservation Pilot – Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Location

Epulu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

5-15 years

Compensation

Compensation not disclosed

Posted

1d ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

The Conservation Pilot will support protected area managers in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve by conducting surveillance, monitoring, and logistical support flights. This role involves managing aviation activities for the WCS Democratic Republic of Congo program, overseeing a small team, and ensuring adherence to aviation safety standards and regulations.

Job Summary:

The Conservation Pilot will support protected area managers, notably in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve to carry out surveillance and monitoring flights as well as logistical support flights. They will manage aviation activities for the WCS Democratic Republic of Congo program on the ground, working with the WCS Aviation Program team. They will manage a small team of observers and assistants.

Major Responsibilities:

  • Piloting

    • Expert application to safely pilot aircraft (PIC) for aviation logistical support to park operations and resource protection activities and monitoring.

    • Strictly adhere to procedures in place for all flight operations.

    • Ascertain all necessary aircraft documents are in place, up to date and according to relevant international and national aviation laws.

    • Participate and comply with regular flight and safety management training requirements.

    • Maintain a detailed flight log report of all flights and hours flown, including location, passengers, purpose and duration.

  • Aviation Operations

    • Oversee and maintain the highest standards in aircraft management and operation, following regulations, legal requirements and maintenance plans as required.

    • Assure all aircraft documents are in place, updated and maintained.

    • Maintain the aircraft in a pristine, clean and well-managed state, including regular cleaning of the airframe, engine compartment and equipment.

    • Assure aircraft is always fully secured.

    • Train any staff involved in aviation operations on safety around aircraft and procedures.

    • Manage all survey and surveillance equipment assigned to the aviation wing.

    • Manage aviation stocks and plan accordingly for procurement (avgas, oils and other usable).

    • Manage aviation facility (office, stores and hangar) and equipment and assure the condition of the airstrip is according to agreed standards and operational needs.

    • Support local arrangements and logistics to aviation maintenance needs.

    • Manage aviation operations finances in collaboration with the assigned finance manager, including operational costs (landing and navigation fees, passenger fees etc.).

    • Maintain regular coordination and planning meetings concerning aviation operations with WCS Field Operations Manager, Ecologist and Monitoring point person and law enforcement team.

    • Closely liaise with the project logistics manager for aviation logistics (transport, fuel, oils) and documentation (aircraft and flight clearance).

    • Participate in regular planning meetings and develop annual plans/budgets for the NNNP Aviation Unit.

  • Aviation Safety Management

    • Assure the WCS Standard Operation Procedures are fully implemented in all operations and any requirements communicated by the WCS Fleet Manager.

    • Report all safety concerns, incidences and hazards and fully contribute and interact with the WCS Safety Management System as prescribed.

    • Maintain the highest safety standards at all times.

    • Participate and conduct regular internal evaluations, as agreed upon by the WCS Fleet manager and part of the WCS aviation SMS on operations.

    • Report all aircraft issues and snags through the established procedures (online) and via direct communications with the WCS Fleet Manager.

Qualification Requirements

Required qualifications and experience:

  • Current US FAA commercial pilot license with instrument rating;

  • FAA second class medical certificate;

  • 400 hours PIC flying experience and solid knowledge of operating under FAA regulations;

  • Experience in Africa, especially francophone Africa an advantage;

  • High-performance piston engine time is required, preferably on C206 model or similar;

  • Experience with wildlife surveys, anti-poaching surveillance and bush flying in remote areas is an advantage;

  • Experience flying under FAR part 135 and/or FAA A & P license is an advantage;

  • Ability to communicate effectively within cross-cultural teams or varied capacity, both orally and in writing, in working out solutions to problems or questions related to work;

  • Willingness and motivation to be based and live in a challenging and remote location;

  • English and French language fluency required.

Updated 1d ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Piloting • 1+ yrs
Aircraft Management • 1+ yrs
Flight Safety Management • 1+ yrs
Aviation Operations • 1+ yrs
Logistical Support • 1+ yrs
Cross-cultural Communication • 1+ yrs
Financial Management • 1+ yrs
Anti-poaching Surveillance • 1+ yrs

Experience

5-15 years

Certifications

US FAA commercial pilot license with instrument rating • Required
FAA second class medical certificate • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Compensation not disclosed

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodYearly

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationEpulu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleMedium • 6/10
physicalMedium • 6/10
cognitiveHigh • 8/10
executionHigh • 8/10
creativityMedium • 5/10
uncertaintyMedium • 7/10
communicationMedium • 7/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Team size

Growing team

Location

Epulu, Democratic Republic of Congo

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit organization founded in 1895. Its mission is to preserve wildlife and wilderness by understanding critical problems, developing scientific solutions and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, a presence in more than 60 countries, and experience in the creation of more than 150 protected areas around the world, WCS has accumulated the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships needed to ensure that wild places and animal species thrive alongside local communities.

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Conservation Pilot – Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Epulu, Democratic Republic of Congo • Full Time