SCMR HEAD RANGER VACANCY

Position Description: Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve (SCMR)Head Ranger

Position Summary

Your overall responsibility is to support the Site Manager in ensuring the smooth and effective operation of resource protection within SCMR. This includes patrol and law enforcement duties.  You will supervise permanent and temporary TIDE rangers and liaise closely with TIDE’s partner organization personnel assigned to SCMR.

Your workstation will be the Belize Fisheries Department ranger station at Hunting Caye in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve (SCMR) when on duty.

Working Relationships

Reporting to: Immediate supervisor Site Manager; a close working relationship must be actively fostered between the head ranger and site manager. 

Responsible for: Supervision and functional guidance of all permanent and temporary Park Rangers.

Liaise closely with law enforcement personnel and other partner organization personnel associated with the Protected Area (PA).  

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TIDE Competencies manual 2021 reference #s.

See Annex 1 of that document for more detail.

1.       Under the direction of the Site Manager, oversee and participate in the execution of daily patrols within SCMR and established fish spawning aggregation sites (FSAs) using the SMART system, as well as special strategic patrols when required.

2.       Assume the duties and responsibilities of the Site Manager in their absence.

3.       Build capacity of staff under your supervision in skills required to perform their duties and share your expertise with the staff. 

4.       Ensure implementation of all the standard operating procedures of the PA.

5.       Ensure the safe operation and proper maintenance all equipment, instruments, and machinery, including but not limited to motor vehicles, boats, outboard engines, compressor, dive tanks, GPS units, computers, power tools, communication equipment and other equipment and instruments.

6.       Ensure the proper inventory, care, maintenance and upgrade of PA equipment and infrastructure.

7.       Complete basic construction tasks at Hunting Caye as well as landscaping, horticultural and silvicultural tasks. 

8.       Provide logistical support and general assistance to TIDE research team within SCMR.

 SAFETY AND SECURITY

1.       Ensure the security of TIDE’s assets on Hunting Caye.

2.       Respond to emergency calls from all staff and stakeholders within protected area.

3.       Adhere to good safety and environmental practice in the field and the workplace, including the aquatic environment.

4.       Conduct first aid and provide appropriate responses in accidents and emergencies.

5.       Participate in search and rescue and emergency response along with relevant staff.

LAR 1.1-1.10

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

1.       In collaboration with the Site Manager and Project Manager, ensure compliance of the protected area regulations by all people in SCMR. Identify signs and evidence of unauthorised activities and security threats as they arise.

2.       Participate with the partner agencies and TIDE rangers in supervised law enforcement operations in compliance with standard operating procedures and follow all legal, ethical and safety procedures when apprehending suspects, violators and detainees.  

3.       Follow correct procedures for basic documenting and reporting on law enforcement activities particularly as they relate to protecting crime scenes and seizing and securing evidence.

4.       Provide formal evidence (written and verbal) in official investigations and court procedures as required.

5.       Ensure suspects and members of the public are treated according to existing laws and duties during law enforcement activities.

6.       Provide information to protected area users about laws, rights and regulations affecting CC and ensure adequate response to non-violent disputes and confrontations, as well as correctly and appropriately to physical threats and attacks.

TRP 1.1-1.5

OUTREACH:

·       Deliver presentations on the management of protected area to visitors if required. Give basic interpretive/educational presentations to a range of visitors and audiences based on a script provided.

·       With guidance from the Education and Outreach Coordinator and the Site Manager, communicate and interact appropriately with resource users.

TEC 1.1-1.3

TECHNOLOGY AND DATA MANAGEMENT:

·       Operate and maintain computers for basic offline functions (word processing, data entry, file management).

·       Use online and other connected communication equipment and media.

·       Operate and maintain audio visual equipment.

·       Use map and compass/charts for orientation and navigation as well as operate a Global Positioning System (GPS) (and related applications) for orientation and navigation.

FRM 1.1-1.2

RECORDS AND REPORTING:

·       Make regular reports to the Site Manager.  These include weekly surveillance-patrol reports, engine, fuel, boat check reports and visitor reports.

·       Keep track of receipts and invoices for expenditures and other financial transactions.

·       Maintain records of materials, equipment, and supplies.

BIO 1.1-1.5

ECOSYSTEM UNDERSTANDING AND PROTECTION:

·       Recognise and identify typical ecosystems, habitats, plant and animal species and their signs in the field and recognise threats and problems affecting biodiversity in the field. Accurately record and report observations of wildlife, habitats and ecosystems as required by TIDE site manager.

·        Assist in the control, capture, handling and transportation of animals for relocation, population management, or invasive species control, and with guidance from the Site Manager, care for flora under protection in CC.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

·       Ensure good housekeeping of the ranger station and cleanliness of Hunting Caye.

·       As part of the Team, enhance the organization’s public relations by actively participating in meetings and workshops, related to the management of the protected area.

·       When needed you may be called upon to assist the managers of other TIDE protected areas. 

·       Perform any other incidental and job-related duties as required and assigned by supervisor.