Lead Conservation Pilot, Northeastern Central African Republic


Position Title: Lead Conservation Pilot
Reports to: Park Manager/ WCS Aviation Fleet Manager
Location: Bamingui-Bangoran National Park, Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park
Country Program/Sector: Central African Republic
Position Type: Full Time
Internal Liaison: Law Enforcement, biomonitoring and logistical team
Expected Travel: Occasional international travel for maintenance and meeting purposes

Background

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit organization founded in 1895. Its mission is to preserve wildlife and wilderness by understanding critical problems, developing scientific solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, a presence in more than 60 countries, and experience in the creation of more than 150 protected areas around the world, WCS has accumulated the biological knowledge, cultural understanding, and partnerships needed to ensure that wild places and animal species thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat, and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct use of natural resources.

Program Overview

The WCS Central African Republic program is dedicated to saving wildlife and enabling sustainable community development in the Northeastern Protected Area Complex (NPAC), the country’s largest wilderness protection area, extending across 11.5 million hectares. It encompasses the Bamingui-Bangoran National Park, the Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park, also classified as a World Heritage Site, and faunal reserves and old hunting areas that function as biodiversity corridors. The NPAC is the main water source for all of north-eastern CAR and a crucial contribution to the Chari basin and Lake Chad, which provides drinking water to over 30 million people across four countries. In December 2018, WCS and the Central African Republic government subscribed to a 25-year public-private partnership agreement, whereby WCS is fully responsible for conceiving and implementing conservation solutions, park management, law enforcement, and community development models within the NPAC, following national laws and policies as well as WCS global standards.

Job Summary

The conservation pilot is responsible for undertaking aerial patrols of conservation areas, supporting aerial biomonitoring applications, and providing logistical support to wildlife law enforcement and project operations in the NPAC. The position is a full-time, field-based position based out of the WCS project HQ in Bamingui-Bangoran National Park. Although professional pilot experience is a central requirement to fulfilling this role, this position requires a wider engagement and capacity to fully support and strengthen a professionally structured and safety-centered air wing operation and effectively contribute to the overall objectives of the conservation project. The position also includes some technical reporting, writing, and administration. The WCS Central African Republic conservation pilot reports to the Project Manager regarding project operational and administrative aspects and to the WCS Aviation Fleet Manager (AFM) in regard to aviation safety and aircraft maintenance management.

Major Responsibilities:

Piloting

  • Safely and professionally pilot the aircraft in accordance with WCS SOPs for aviation support to park operations and resource protection as well as logistical activities.
  • Oversee and maintain the highest standards in aircraft management and operations
  • Strictly adhere to all flight operations procedures and SOPs.
  • Assure all aircraft documents are in place, updated, and maintained according to relevant international and national aviation laws.
  • Follow all flight approval and tracking procedures in place.
  • Participate in and comply with regular flight and safety management training requirements.
  • Maintain a detailed flight log report of all flights and hours flown, including location, passengers, purpose, and duration.

Qualification Requirements

  • Current FAA commercial pilot license with instrument rating;
  • FAA second-class medical certificate;
  • 400 hours PIC flying experience and sound knowledge of operating under FAA regulations;
  • Experience in Africa, especially francophone Africa an advantage;
  • High-performance piston engine time is required, preferably on C206 model or similar;
  • Experience with wildlife surveys, anti-poaching surveillance and bush flying in remote areas is an advantage;
  • Experience flying under FAR part 135 and/or an FAA A&P license is an advantage;
  • Ability to communicate effectively within cross-cultural teams or varied capacity, both orally and in writing, in working out solutions to problems or questions related to work;
  • Willingness and motivation to be based and live in a challenging and remote location;
  • English and French language fluency required.

How to apply

Interested candidates who meet the above eligibility criteria and possess the required qualifications, skills, and experience are encouraged to apply via this link by submitting their resume and cover letter. This posting will be open through October 31, 2026, and applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis

WCS is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, inclusive, and non-discriminatory employment practices. We comply with all applicable employment and labor laws and regulations and ensure that candidates from all backgrounds are given fair and consistent consideration throughout the recruitment process.

We are committed to building and supporting a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive work environment where everyone is valued and respected. We seek team members who share these values and are committed to contributing to an inclusive and equitable workplace.