Head Guide

SUMMARY:
Award-winning luxury 5* Lodge in Kruger National Park (Skukuza) is looking for a Head Guide.
 
The Head Guide is to assume full responsibility for maintaining the overall operation and administration of the Guides and Safari department, including individual, family and kids’ safari experiences, safety, excellent guest and staff relations, hosting of guests, and all equipment, vehicles and assets.

POSITION INFO:
Duties:

Oversee, train and monitor all Field Guide functions according to the standards of FGASA, including guest introductory and safety orientations, guided game drives and interpretive bush walks, tracking, identification of spoor, delivering informative lectures on relevant ecological topics, and drinks stops and other bush events.
Ensure efficient allocation for all game drives, back-up drives and stand-by duties.
As one of the two registered responsible persons for the company firearms, assume full responsibility for obtaining and maintaining valid departmental licenses, and for ensuring efficient and safe weapon handling and proficiency of the entire department.
Oversee the workshop function and vehicles maintenance.
Chair and record departmental meetings, and attend other meetings as required.
Assist in managing the lodge social media platforms, ensuring consistent delivery of relevant and appealing information with the broad aim of increasing knowledge of the wildlife and operating area.
As one of the main incident coordinators, ensure effective incident management in the event of emergency or evacuation, including medical emergencies, fire, and flood.

Training, Development & Mentorship:

Mentor, train, develop, motivate, and guide the team (including Field Guide College Students / Trainee Field Guides) towards achieving and maintaining required/higher qualifications.
Compile feedback and progress reports to the Field Guide College Head Trainer on the Field Guide College Placement Guides.
Earmark and develop individuals who show potential to grow into positions within the greater Lodge Collection.
Implement training and mentorship plans, facilitating the use of group’s appointed internal and external trainers and identifying potential mentors within the department.
As part of the greater Lodge Collection, facilitate inter-property training for employees who would benefit from training at other Collection properties.
Provide effective leadership through professional man-management and encouragement of all subordinates, including mediation.
Take part and assist in organizing regular Head Guides forums and Mentorship Workshops.
Drive and monitor the effective implementation and execution of group’s Performance Management and Succession Planning processes.
Carry out regular, meaningful performance appraisals conducted in such a manner that effective, open, two-way communication is maintained. To follow up and ensure that the agreed action and developmental plans identified at these appraisals are being affected.

Conservation:

Assist with road maintenance, field and habitat management within the parameters of the concession.
Monitor and enforce reserve, lease agreement and/or concession rules and regulations.
Assist in reserve firefighting and controlled burns.
Data gathering, analysis and interpretation.

General Service & Guest Care:

Ensure all information available on guests is collected and communicated prior to arrival.
Collect guest information while speaking to guests; inform Management to record and act on guest preferences.
Ensure all guest complaints are reported to Management immediately.

Requirements:

Grade 12
FGASA NQF Level 4 and Lead Trails Guide Qualification essential
ARH and Rifle Proficiency
First Aid Level 2
Driver’s License and Pr-DP.
Previous experience as Assistant Head Guide or Head Guide.
Sound knowledge of planning, budgeting and departmental administration.