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Lead Conservation Pilot – Northeastern Central African Republic
Join a mission-driven team safeguarding wildlife across the Northeastern Protected Area Complex of the Central African Republic. As the Lead Conservation Pilot, you will fly critical aerial patrols, support biomonitoring, and deliver logistical lifelines for field operations from a remote base in Bamingui-Bangoran National Park. You’ll also help shape safe, efficient aviation operations through planning, training, reporting, and robust aircraft management.
🧭 Your Mission
Lead safe, effective conservation aviation in some of Africa’s most important protected areas. You’ll fly routine and reactive sorties for patrols, biomonitoring, and logistics; coordinate closely with ecology, monitoring, and law-enforcement teams; and uphold exacting standards across safety, documentation, and operational readiness.
🧰 What You’ll Do
- Pilot safely and professionally for park operations, resource protection, aerial patrols, biomonitoring, and logistics in line with WCS SOPs and applicable aviation laws.
- Follow flight approval, dispatch, and tracking processes; maintain compliant documentation and detailed flight logs (locations, passengers, purposes, durations).
- Uphold high standards in aircraft management and cleanliness; keep the aircraft, engine bay, equipment, hangar, office, stores, airstrip, and aviation facilities secure, serviceable, and operational.
- Participate in aviation planning with field operations, ecology, monitoring, and law-enforcement teams to align sorties with conservation priorities.
- Coordinate maintenance and scheduling with the WCS Aviation Fleet Manager and Maintenance Manager; manage aviation stock and procurement (fuel, oil, consumables).
- Oversee survey and surveillance equipment; train staff in aircraft and ramp safety, loading, and procedures.
- Support reporting and administration; contribute to aviation budget development and annual plans for the NPAC Aviation Unit.
- Report safety concerns, hazards, incidents, and aircraft snags per established procedures; engage in internal evaluations and regular flight/safety training; champion the WCS Aviation Safety Management System.
🌟 What You Bring
- Current FAA Commercial Pilot License with Instrument Rating and FAA Second-Class Medical.
- Minimum PIC 400 hours, including high-performance piston time; Cessna 206 or similar experience preferred.
- Solid working knowledge of operating under FAA regulations (e.g., FAR; Part 135 exposure a plus).
- Experience in Africa—especially francophone regions—highly advantageous; background in wildlife surveys, anti-poaching surveillance, and remote-area bush flying valued.
- A&P certification beneficial.
- Excellent cross-cultural communication; resilience and motivation to live and work in a challenging, remote location.
- Fluency in English and French.
🛡️ Safety & Compliance
- Operate to the highest safety standards within WCS’s Safety Management System.
- Keep all aircraft documents and personal credentials current and audit-ready.
- Participate in recurrent training and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen aviation safety and performance.
📨 How to Apply
Ready to make a measurable impact from the cockpit? Submit your CV and a brief cover letter highlighting total time, high-performance piston time (specify C206 or similar), relevant Africa/bush-flying experience, and language proficiency. Strong alignment with conservation values and remote-fieldwork readiness is essential.