Occupational Certificate: Park Ranger

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Park Ranger.

A Park Ranger protects and manages biodiversity in areas of natural and ecological importance in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations and policies. Typical graduate attributes will include among others leadership, discipline, compassion and dedication.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Prepare and carry out field operation for conservation of natural and ecological areas.
• Conduct law enforcement within a designated natural and ecological areas.
• Develop and monitor integrity management plan.

Rationale

Since 2008 there has been a huge increase in rhino, elephant and other key animal species poaching in Southern Africa, in which 93% of the remaining rhino in the world occurs in South Africa. Poaching is taking place at an alarming rate of 1000+ of the key species per year and threatens their existence.

During the African Wilderness Foundation (AWF) emergency Rhino Summit in Kenya for African Countries in April 2012 and the 1st National Rhino Conservation Dialogue held by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in May 2012, the primary objective to ensure the survival of these species emerged with the theme: 'Boots on the Ground' - an increase in the deployment of well trained and equipped Anti-Poaching Rangers.

Currently there is a limited number of new generations of Park Rangers to fulfil the huge demand in National Parks, Provincial Parks and Protected Areas; Private Nature Reserves and Wildlife Ranches.

The 'Conservation / Park Ranger Career Path' initiative will utilise models with new processes and approaches to capacitate a new generation of Rangers with theory, skills and practical experience to address the challenge to save existing biodiversity and wildlife heritage for future generations.

Entry into this specific occupation and specialisation will allow for career progression from Field-Ranger, Anti-Poaching Ranger and Management that are all specialised fields within the ranger occupation. Qualifying learners may be able to gain employment in National Parks, Provincial Parks, Protected Areas, Private Nature Reserves, Wildlife Ranches, Anti-Poaching Units as well as Specialised Wildlife Security Providers.

Qualifying learners can use a series of legal, security, technological and environmental skills to protect biodiversity and wildlife. This will position a qualified learner to fulfil the mission of creating a safe and secure environment for all wildlife in South Africa and range states.

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 213307-000-00-KM-01, Biodiversity conservation, Level 5, 5 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-KM-02, Introduction to relevant legislation, Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-KM-03, Wilderness First Aid, Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-KM-04, Communication, Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-KM-05, Handle and use of Specialised Equipment, Level 5, 5 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-KM-06, Survival, Defensive Tactics and Bush Craft, Level 6, 5 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-KM-07, Tracking, Level 5, 5 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-KM-08, Specialised Application of Relevant Legislation, Level 6, 5 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-KM-09, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 5 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-KM-10, Legal Requirements for the Safe Use and Handling of a Range of Firearms Ammunition in a Law Enforcement Environment, Level 5, 5 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 50

Practical Skill Modules

• 213307-000-00-PM-01, Perform Field Operations to Conserve Biodiversity, Level 5, 10 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-PM-02, Execute Security Plan to Conserve Biodiversity, Level 5, 10 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-PM-03, Perform Area Integrity Duties, Level 4, 10 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-PM-04, Track A Quarry to Establish Contact, Level 4, 10 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-PM-05, Perform Security, Critical Incidents and Recovery Plan, Level 5, 10 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-PM-06, Handle and Use Firearms and Ammunition in a Law Enforcement Environment, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-PM-07, Use Appropriate Force to Uphold the Law, Level 6, 5 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-PM-08, Design, Implement and Monitor Area Integrity Management Plan, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-PM-09, Conduct Community and Stakeholder Liaison Functions, Level 6, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skills Modules: 95

Work Experience Modules

• 213307-000-00-WM-01, Procedures for Field Operations, Level 5, 20 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-WM-02, Procedures for Anti-Poaching Operations, Level, Level 5, 25 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-WM-03, Processes for Area Integrity Management, Level 6, 30 Credits.
• 213307-000-00-WM-04, Processes for Tracking Quarry to Establish Contact, Level 5, 20 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 95

1. Apply procedures and techniques to perform field operations to conserve and protect premier natural biodiversity environments.
2. Gather and information to locate, identify, and interpret different types of tracks and signs to determine and distinguish the age of a spoor and track quarry.
3. Interpret and apply operational requirements to implement, monitor and maintain biodiversity conservation practices.
4. Apply processes and techniques to protect and manage the biodiversity integrity of a specific area.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

ELO 1: Apply procedures and techniques to perform field operations to conserve and protect premier natural biodiversity environments.

• Obey and adhere to commands and orders.
• Execute area coverage operations.
• Apply wilderness first aid.
• Execute survival, navigation, and bushcraft.
• Deal with dangerous game situations appropriately.
• Apply advanced combat tactics.
• Apply reconnaissance tracking techniques.
• Execute follow up operations.
• Conduct critical incidents and recovery operations.
• Enforce relevant legislation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

ELO 2: Gather and information to locate, identify, and interpret different types of tracks and signs to determine and distinguish.

• Locate, identify, interpret and age a spoor.
• Track a quarry successfully.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

ELO 3: Interpret and apply operational requirements to implement, monitor and maintain biodiversity conservation practices.

• Veld fires are combated.
• Identify erosion and take corrective steps.
• Identify invasive and alien plants and take corrective measures.
• Identify problem animals and take corrective measures.
• Erect, inspect and maintain wildlife fencing.
• Monitor and maintain water supply.
• Detect and monitor diseases.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

ELO 4: Apply processes and techniques to protect and manage the biodiversity integrity of a specific area.

• Maintain biodiversity integrity.
• Maintain jurisdiction and the integrity of Rangers.
• Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Conduct intelligence operations.
• Area integrity is maintained.
• Deploy Environmental Crime Response Unit (ECRU).

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Formative Assessment

The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.

The assessment will be conducted through written assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites by a panel of assessors evaluated by assessor(s) registered with the AQP.

Integrated Summative Assessment

Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

The external integrated summative assessment will be conducted through a theoretical assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites in a simulated environment and conducted by an assessor(s) registered with the relevant AQP.