Maintenance Assistant

Type: 
Paid
Closing date: 
31 Jan 2025
Section: 
Praslin

LOCATION: FOND FERDINAND

OPEN TO LOCAL CANDIDATES ONLY 

RESPONSIBLE TO: SENIOR SUPERVISOR/OPERATION MANAGER (OM)

HOURS OF WORK: 40 HOURS PER WEEK AND OVERTIME UPON REQUEST

_________________________________________________________________ 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: -

Job Responsibilities:

As per instruction from the Senior Supervisor/Supervisor/Operation Manager, and in accordance with agreed priorities, a Fieldworker should expect to be involved in/responsible for the following activities:

 

Trail maintenance, including:

  • Keeping paths clear of hazardous plant debris (eg: fallen branches), ensuring the paths are in safe conditions at all times
  • Cleaning and maintenance of path drainage and anti-erosion systems
  • Collection of non-natural litter
  • Upkeep and creation of path edges to ensure visitors keep to the paths
  • Management of degradation caused by erosion (eg infilling gulleys)
  • Assist with trail building and maintenance

Maintenance of signage

  • Ensuring that signs are visual and not obstructed 
  • Ensuring that signs are in good condition and repairing as appropriate
  • Cleaning and/or repainting signs as appropriate

Coco de Mer management 

  • Assist with the general coco-de-mer management through collection and de-husking of fallen nuts from the reserve, cleaning, classing and transporting same to the stores
  • Assistance with mapping and surveying of coco de mer tress in the reserve 
  • Thinning of coco de mer juveniles

Firebreak maintenance

  • As per instructions, to cut back the vegetation to a height of no more than 10cm within the minimum 10m width of the firebreak
  • In cases of fire outbreaks assist in the safeguarding of the reserve as and when requested including of public holidays or week-ends

Nursery

  • Preparation of the area – including collection of humus and topsoil; mixing of the media
  • Collection of seeds and/or cuttings of native and endemic plant species
  • Sowing and transplanting of seedlings including irrigation, propagation, plant care 
  • Handle pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers in a safe manner as and when required

Removal of exotics and rehabilitation

  • Exotic seedlings reaching juvenile status to be removed systematically and in accordance with instruction from management 
  • Removal of adult exotic trees as appropriate and in accordance with instructions from management

Water management

  • Maintenance of the water catchments area
  • Maintenance of water pipes
  • Ensuring the area around the waterfall is cleared and maintained in an appropriate manner
  •  Regular cleaning and maintenance of the water tanks

Maintenance of infrastructure and facilities

  • General maintenance of the outs including: cleaning, painting, fixing gutters, repairing damage, etc …  as appropriate
  • Ensuring the “green” areas are maintained, including grass cutting, weeding, mulching, sweeping, removal of vegetation, bins disposal etc
  • Ensure that the bins located in the car par are kept in a respectable state at all times
  • Upkeep and repair of the seating and shelters within the Vallée de Mai forest

Reporting of damage and/or other instances whereby external contractors will be involved in repair and/or maintenance

Assist the Statistical Technicians as and when required

Any other activities as arise and requested either by the Supervisor or the Site Manager.

 

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Minimum S5 Level of Education with at least 2 Years Working Experience in a Relevant Field OR

Basic knowledge in conservation/horticulture

OR

Graduate of the School of Agriculture/Horticulture

 

Skills and Attributes:

• Physically fit and able to undertake hard physical work

• Able to work under pressure and harsh conditions (sun/rain)

• Teamwork

• Hard working and motivated

• Committed 

To apply kindly send us your CV and completed employee application form to hr@sif.sc or info@sif.sc before the closing date.