About This Role
WCS is seeking a full-time, field-based Conservation Pilot for its Cameroon program. Based at the WCS project headquarters supporting Bouba Njida National Park, the pilot will conduct aerial patrols for law enforcement and resource protection, support aerial biomonitoring, and provide aviation and logistical support to conservation operations in northern Cameroon. The role combines professional pilot duties with aircraft management, safety leadership, reporting, administration, and development of a structured aviation operation.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Safely and professionally pilot aircraft under WCS SOPs in support of park operations, resource protection, aerial patrols, biomonitoring, and logistical activities. Maintain high standards of aircraft management, comply with flight procedures, keep aircraft documents current, follow flight approval and tracking processes, complete required flight and safety training, and maintain detailed records of flights, hours, locations, passengers, purposes, and durations. Coordinate aviation planning with field operations, ecology, monitoring, and law-enforcement teams
- keep the aircraft, equipment, airstrip, hangar, stores, and aviation facilities in safe and operational condition
- train personnel in aircraft safety and procedures
- coordinate maintenance and scheduling with the Aviation Fleet Manager and Maintenance Manager
- secure the aircraft
- manage fuel, oil, and other aviation stocks
- oversee survey and surveillance equipment
- coordinate aviation logistics and flight-clearance documentation
- and support annual aviation budgets and plans. Maintain a strong safety culture, follow WCS aviation procedures, report hazards, incidents, aircraft issues, and snags, participate in the Safety Management System, and conduct or support regular internal safety evaluations.
Requirements
- Applicants must hold a current FAA commercial pilot license with instrument rating, an FAA second-class medical certificate, and at least 400 hours of PIC flying experience with sound knowledge of FAA regulations.
- High-performance piston-engine experience is required, preferably on a C206 or similar aircraft.
- English and French fluency, effective written and oral communication, willingness to live and work in a challenging remote location, and the ability to work effectively in cross-cultural teams are required.
- Experience in Africa, particularly francophone Africa, wildlife surveys, anti-poaching surveillance, remote bush flying, FAR Part 135 operations, or an FAA A&P license is advantageous.