Head Field Guide

SUMMARY:
Head Field Guide

POSITION INFO:
Role Description and Duties:

· A “Head Field Guide” is a senior position within a wildlife or nature reserve, responsible for overseeing a team of field guides, ensuring the highest quality wildlife viewing experience for guests, maintaining safety standards, and often playing a key role in staff training, conservation efforts, and guest relations within the lodge or reserve; essentially leading the guiding operations and acting as the primary expert on the local ecosystem and wildlife.
· Meticulous in all aspects of managing the guiding department
· Manage, oversee and discipline staff in the guiding department
· Staff training and development
· Assist the Marketing team in managing social media content and submitting the monthly newsletters
· Perform all administrative duties pertaining to the guiding department
· Allocation of Guides to daily game drives
· Staff scheduling and rosters
· Manage daily game drives and bush walks
· Follow up on CarTrack and monitor Guide movements
· Assist around the lodge in other departments if needed
· Light concession work – trimming of branches and light road maintenance
· Operational stock control
· Compile weekly and monthly reports
· Have thorough technical knowledge and understanding of vehicles, operations and equipment – strong mechanical background will be beneficial
· Perform Duty Manager shifts when necessary – hosting guests and ensuring the service shift runs smoothly
Minimum Requirements:
Qualifications & Experience:

· NQF 4 qualification or higher
· Full Lead Trails and at least 3 years’ experience with guiding on foot (VPSA, ARH)
· A minimum of 7 years of work experience on a Big 5 Game Reserve, with a minimum of 5 years working in a Luxury Lodge environment
· A level 2 FGASA qualification or higher with theory and practical completed
· Registered with DEAT and THETA in terms of improving his/her qualifications
· Firearm competency
· Track and Trails guide certificate
· Valid first aid certificate
· SASSETA Certificates
· A valid South African Driver’s license and PDP experience
Skills required
· Leadership
· Guiding Skills
· Wildlife Knowledge
· Geology, Geography, and History
· Basic Food and Beverage Service
· Tracking and Bushcraft
· Guest engagement
· Safety and Risk Management
· Vehicle and equipment maintenance
· Passion for nature
· Fluency in English is essential, and proficiency in additional languages may be advantageous for catering to diverse guest demographics.
· Problem-solving
· Decision-making
· Training and development
· Conflict resolution
· Financial acumen
· Experience in wildlife photography will be beneficial
· Computer literate
· Basic understanding of labour law and disciplinary procedures
· Ability to keep calm in stressful situations