Whereas the Enkosini Wildlife Sanctuary (hereafter
referred to as “Enkosini”) is running a ranger program
in terms of which rangers will work at Enkosini;
And whereas Enkosini is willing to let rangers work in its facility;
Now therefore it is agreed as follows:
CONTRACT
Initial ranger contracts are for a period of
6 months. After 6 months, the contract may be extended upon agreement
by both parties. Enkosini reserves the right to cancel any ranger contract.
SCHEDULE
Standard work hours will be 7.00am–5.00pm, six days per
week. That said, Enkosini is an ever-changing environment and
rangers will often be required to work different schedules
to accommodate different activities (including sleepouts, guard
duties, fire fighting, etc). Ranger off-days will be determined by
the Enkosini schedule and may be spent relaxing at Enkosini or joining
a town trip when space is available. Rangers will be given
one week of leave for every 6 months of work. Leave time must be
approved by Enkosini in advance.
COSTS
Enkosini will supply rangers with the
following: a) food; b) accommodation; c) uniform (four tee-shirts); d)
hand-held radio with charger and spare battery;
and e) South African SIM card for cell phone. Enkosini
will also allow rangers to do a 3-day, 2-night excursion to Kruger
National Park
(including transport/guide, but excluding all personal costs).
Rangers are financially responsible for
certain other expenses at Enkosini including: a) quadbike
purchase/maintenance/fuel; b) helmet and BDU pants/jacket; c) jerrycans and tyre pump; and
d) pepper spray,
knife, baton and handcuffs for security. Additionally, rangers must supply their own
sleeping bag, tent and cell phone. The following optional extras are recommended: digital
camera/camcorder, GPS, laptop (for internet and weekly logs),
binoculars, head torches and first-aid kit.
UNIFORM
Rangers are required to wear uniforms for
work everyday - Rothco BDUs (battle dress uniforms) with Enkosini
tee-shirts. Enkosini will supply 4 teeshirts upon arrival and an
additional teeshirt per month from month 5 onwards, however rangers will be responsible for purchasing Tiger-stripe Rothco BDUs (approx R250 South
African rands per piece). One jacket and three pairs of pants
should be sufficient.
RADIO
Rangers will be supplied with a hand-held radio upon
arrival (including cover, charger and spare battery) and are
responsible for keeping the radio protected, charged and on their
person at all times. It is imperative to always hear the radio
so rangers may not wear headphones to listen to music during working
hours.
QUADBIKE
Rangers are required to transfer funds prior to arrival so that Enkosini can arrange for the
purchase/delivery of the quadbike (either new Honda 250cc 2x4 or Honda
420cc 4x4). The quadbike will remain the property of Enkosini after ranger departure, for which Enkosini can provide
the ranger with a receipt.
The quadbike must be in working order for the entirety
of the ranger’s stay at Enkosini. Rangers are
responsible for any damage/maintenance to the quadbike and all repair
work must be handled within 7 days of breakdown. Rangers will be
responsible for their own expenses and must continue to contribute towards
the group fuel kitty until the quadbike is in working
order.
General rules for quadbike:
• The quadbike will only be used for Enkosini-related
work.
• The quadbike will not be ridden to town.
• The quadbike will not be ridden at speeds over 60kms
per hour.
• The quadbike will not be ridden by anyone outside of
Enkosini staff. Guests in the volunteer program may not get
lifts on quadbikes.
• The quadbike will not be ridden after drinking any alcohol beverages.
• The quadbike will remain on the Enkosini property and will not be ridden on tar roads, except
when visiting the other side of the Buffelskloof Dam for anti-poaching patrols,
fire patrols, vehicle deliveries
or work related matters (in which case the quadbike must keep on the
gravel curb).
• The quadbike should remain on the Enkosini property at
night time, except in emergencies such as fire, etc.
RANGER WORK
Rangers will focus on anti-poaching and security at Enkosini.
Rangers should expect to spend couple nights every week camping on the Enkosini property in poaching/security “hot spots”
(i.e., northern entrance gates, southern entrance gates, Buffelskloof
dam, Molapo community, etc).
Rangers may also assist Enkosini in general reserve
management including, but not limited to, some of the following: erection and removal of fencing, alien plant control, block burning and fire
fighting, maintenance of existing roads, construction of facilities,
bridges and new roads, infrastructure improvements, staff management,
wildlife release, and supply trips to town.
Rangers must provide a report of daily
activities and sightings. Reports must be given to management on a
weekly basis by email and should include specific
details on the following:
• Wildlife sightings (date, time and GPS location)
• Sleepouts/patrols (locations and any
relevant activity)
• Trespassing and/or poaching activity (gender/age of
people on property as well as domestic animals/livestock) with
accompanying police reports
• Grave visits (arrival/departure time, activities
during visit, family name, number of visitors, name/residence/phone of
visitors, GPS location/description of graves – photos must be taken to
ensure that no changes are made to grave sites)
• Date and odometer of petrol refills as well as any quadbike issues
• Other activities (town trips, perimeter fencing,
snare patrols, fire fighting, etc)
EXPECTATIONS
We expect our rangers to be responsible
authority figures. Rules must always be enforced. Rangers
must be proactive and self-motivated, always finding productive work
at Enkosini during working hours.
Rangers must always be prepared for any
emergency at any time of day or night (fire, medical, wildlife, etc),
therefore alcohol consumption must always be moderate at Enkosini.
Rangers may not drink and drive. Enkosini is liable for the
actions of our rangers and, as such, responsibilities should be
taken very seriously. Ranger positions
at Enkosini should be viewed as a privilege and not a right.
Smoking is not permitted by rangers or any
staff at Enkosini due to littering, fire hazards and general
presentation to guests.
TRANSFERABILITY
Although the programs at Enkosini are normally
non-transferable, Enkosini may make a partial exception for
individuals who
are truly unsuitable for the ranger program. If the staff determine that
an individual is not a good fit for the ranger program, then
Enkosini may allow the individual to apply 50% of their quadbike cost towards joining the volunteer program at Enkosini if
a) there is availability (less the number of consecutive weeks since
the start date of the ranger program, standard volunteer program
prices apply); and b) the management determine that the individual
will be a positive asset to the volunteer program.
This decision must be made at the 4 week
mark after arrival, unless otherwise agreed by management, and the
program dates must be consecutive (i.e., individuals may not return
at a later stage to join the program). Please note that
this arrangement will be determined on a case-by-case basis and
should not be an expectation. It will not
be allowed for rangers who have damaged their quadbike or who may be
a negative influence on the volunteer program. It will not be
allowed for individuals who just want to experience a holiday program for a couple weeks.
The rangers are much more valuable to Enkosini in a ranger capacity.
UNDERTAKING
Rangers undertake not to discuss the business
of Enkosini Wildlife Sanctuary or Enkosini Eco Experience with anyone,
not to interfere with the business of Enkosini Wildlife Sanctuary or
Enkosini Eco Experience, and to keep any Enkosini Wildlife Sanctuary
or Enkosini Eco Experience information that he may obtain as
confidential.
Rangers undertake not to defame Enkosini
Wildlife Sanctuary, Enkosini Eco Experience (including partner
projects) or the character of any personnel in any manner. Any
indication to the contrary will result in immediate dismissal from the
program.
Rangers undertake to accept financial
responsibility for any damage to Enkosini property (including
quadbikes) caused by careless,
irresponsible, reckless or inebriated behaviour. A security deposit of
R2500 South African rands will be required before arrival to secure
the placement. If there are no damages, the full security deposit
will be returned after the ranger has completed their 6-12 month contract.
Rangers undertake to adhere to any and all rules
set out by Enkosini and undertake to report any misconduct by other
members of the staff. Misconduct or failure to report misconduct of
others may result in dismissal.
INDEMNITY
Rangers understand that any activities
undertaken at Enkosini are at their own risk and hereby indemnify
Enkosini against any claims whatsoever that may arise in connection
with any injury, death, loss or damage during the activities.
Rangers further understand that costs in respect of any
accident or illness which, in the opinion of the Enkosini personnel,
requires medical attention, are their liability.
