Purpose of the Position
The K9 Unit Manager is responsible for the overall management, operational deployment, welfare, training, and development of the K9 Unit in support of anti-poaching and broader reserve security operations. While the prevention and response to wildlife crime remains a major focus, the role also supports the general security of the reserve, including the safety and protection of members, staff, guests, assets, and infrastructure.
This role ensures that dogs and handlers operate at the highest professional, ethical, and operational standards to prevent, detect, and respond to security threats across the reserve.
In addition, the K9 Unit Manager will assume the duties and responsibilities of the Security Manager during periods when the Security Manager is on leave or otherwise unavailable, ensuring continuity of overall security operations and command oversight, while maintaining the IT backbone and monitoring systems.
The chosen candidate will also form part of the reaction team, participating in operational deployments as required.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Management
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee all K9 operational deployments in support of anti-poaching patrols, tracking, detection, reaction operations, and broader reserve security functions.
- Integrate K9 capabilities into wider security strategies covering wildlife protection, access control, incident response, and the safety of members, staff, and guests.
- Ensure operational readiness of all K9 teams at all times.
- Conduct operational briefings, debriefings, and post-operation reporting.
- Liaise with security management, reserve management, law enforcement, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Relieve the Security Manager during periods of leave or unavailability, assuming operational command and responsibility for overall reserve security operations as required.
- Participate as an active member of the reaction team in operational deployments.
K9 Training & Performance
- Develop, implement, and maintain training programmes for K9s and handlers (tracking, detection, patrol, obedience, endurance, and tactical work).
- Assess and monitor performance, certification, and progression of K9 teams.
- Identify training gaps and implement corrective measures.
- Maintain training records, certifications, and operational logs.
- Facilitate K9 demonstrations for potential funders/donors, ensuring the sessions are effective for both fundraising and practical training purposes.
- Contribute to reaction team training exercises as part of overall operational readiness.
Animal Welfare & Kennel Management
- Ensure the highest standards of animal welfare, health, and conditioning.
- Oversee daily kennel operations, feeding schedules, hygiene, enrichment, and upkeep of kennel infrastructure.
- Coordinate veterinary care, vaccinations, parasite control, and injury management.
- Ensure ethical handling and deployment of K9s at all times.
Personnel Management
- Manage, mentor, and discipline K9 handlers and support staff.
- Conduct performance evaluations and skills development plans.
- Ensure discipline, professionalism, and adherence to developed SOPs.
- Manage duty rosters, leave, and operational readiness of the K9 team.
- Support reaction team personnel management and coordination during joint operations.
Equipment & Logistics
- Manage all K9-related equipment including vehicles and kennels.
- Engage with potential funders regarding K9 equipment, operational needs, and support.
- Ensure all equipment is serviceable, accounted for, and correctly used.
- Assist with budgeting, procurement, and inventory control related to K9 operations.
Administration & Reporting
- Maintain accurate records including training, deployments, incidents, veterinary care, and asset registers.
- Compile operational, monthly, and annual reports as required.
- Assist with policy and SOP development.
- Assist with risk assessments.
Compliance & Ethics
- Ensure compliance with all relevant animal welfare legislation, conservation laws, and organisational policies.
- Promote ethical, professional, and legally defensible K9 operations.
Minimum Requirements
Must present:
- A DH 1–5 qualification.
- A valid SAPS firearm competency for business purposes (minimum: Handgun and Self-Loading Rifle).
- A valid PSIRA Grade C registration.
- A First Aid and/or Stop the Bleed certification.
- A formal, recognized anti-poaching training certification.
- Valid driver’s license.
In addition:
- Minimum of five (5) years proven experience in anti-poaching on a Big 5 reserve.
- Fully literate in English (reading, writing, and verbal communication).
- Computer literate with experience working with monitoring software such as Earth Ranger and/or CMORE and remote camera network systems including WPS and/or LPR systems.
- Proven experience in K9 operations (law enforcement, military, conservation, or security environment).
- Demonstrated experience managing K9 handlers and working dogs.
- Strong understanding of tracking, detection, and apprehension dog capabilities.
- Physically and mentally fit for field and operational work.
- Ability and willingness to participate in armed reaction team operations.
Additional Qualifications & Experience (Advantageous)
The following qualifications and experience are not mandatory but would be considered a strong advantage:
- Formal K9 instructor or advanced handler certification.
- Additional experience in anti-poaching, conservation security, or wildlife protection beyond the minimum requirements.
- Experience working in remote, high-risk, or austere operational environments.
- Veterinary, animal health, or canine first aid knowledge relevant to working dogs.
- Additional firearm competencies or tactical training beyond the minimum legal requirements.
- Multilingual (Afrikaans and/or Shangaan preferable).
- Drone pilot licence.
- Bushcraft (knowledge such as tracking, animal behaviour, venomous species, poisonous plants etc )
- Experience working under night vision.
- Experience working with Geographic Information Systems.
- Has own working K9 trained in either tracking, detection, or apprehension
Skills & Competencies
- Strong leadership and decision-making ability.
- Excellent planning, organisational, and communication skills.
- MS Office suite or equivalent .
- High level of discipline, integrity, and professionalism.
- Ability to work under pressure and in challenging environments.
- Strong understanding of animal behaviour and welfare.
- Operational experience as part of a reaction team.
Working Conditions
- Field-based role with extended hours, night operations, and deployments in remote areas.
- Exposure to physically demanding and potentially dangerous situations.
- On-call and standby duties as required.
- The successful candidate will be required to reside at the reserve’s headquarters.
- Participation as a member of the reaction team is required.
Performance Indicators
- Operational effectiveness of K9 deployments.
- Health, welfare, and performance of K9s.
- Professional conduct and performance of handlers.
- Compliance with developed SOPs, legislation, and welfare standards.
- Overall security operations must continue effectively in the absence of the Security Manager.
- Effective contribution to reaction team operations and performance.
References
- References will be required to validate the above. Please supply contact details.
- Background and security checks will be conducted.
- Polygraph examination will be required on appointment.
Remuneration
The remuneration package will depend on the profile of the candidate, but will include:
- Competitive salary
- Full-time employment
- Housing (one-bedroom house). Employee must reside on the property.
- Water, electricity and Wi-Fi provided.
- Equipment relevant to the performance of the task at hand.
- Uniform
- Leave (21 consecutive days)
- Annual bonus
This job description may be amended as operational requirements evolve.