Environmental Officer Production Grade A–C (X3 Posts)
Job Overview
- Job Title: Environmental Officer Production Grade A–C (X3 Posts)
- Branch: Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency (VOCMA)
- Division: Water Use Authorisation and Registration
Reference Numbers: - VOCMA 36 – Bloemfontein (2 Posts)
- VOCMA 37 – Kimberley (1 Post)
- Locations: Bloemfontein and Kimberley, Free State
- Salary: R357 597 – R610 131 per annum (OSD)
- Employment Type: Government Position
Job Description
The Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency is seeking three Environmental Officers to support the assessment and processing of Water Use Licence Applications (WULAs) within the Water Use Authorisation and Registration division.
The successful candidates will assess water-use applications, conduct site inspections, engage with applicants and stakeholders, evaluate technical and environmental information, and contribute to decisions aimed at protecting and sustainably managing South Africa’s water resources.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess the completeness of Water Use Licence Applications (WULAs).
- Conduct site inspections as part of the water-use authorisation process.
- Liaise with applicants and other stakeholders to obtain outstanding information.
- Request scientific inputs from VOCMA and the Department of Water and Sanitation using prescribed templates.
- Access, assess and evaluate:
- Hydrological information.
- Environmental information.
- Technical information relating to licence applications.
- Assist with developing policies and guidelines for implementing the National Water Act (NWA), 36 of 1998, within the water-use sector.
- Conduct final assessments of information submitted by Water Use Licence Applicants.
- Consider and incorporate inputs from internal specialists.
- Draft Records of Recommendations (RoRs) and resulting decision documents.
- Draft licence conditions to control or mitigate negative impacts associated with authorised water uses.
- Assist with responding to queries from clients and stakeholders both within and outside the department.
- Contribute to effective water-resource protection and sustainable water-use management.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have:
- A National Diploma in Environmental Management or Natural Science in one of the following fields:
- Agriculture.
- Agricultural-related studies.
- Integrated Water Resource Management.
- Hydrology (Surface or Groundwater).
- Chemistry.
- Biochemistry.
- Microbiology.
- Water Utilisation.
- Water Resource Engineering.
- Geohydrology.
- A valid, unexpired driver’s licence.
Advantageous:
- Two years’ appropriate or recognisable experience in a relevant area after obtaining the required qualification.
Required Knowledge
Candidates should have sound knowledge of:
- Integrated water resource management.
- Water resource protection.
- The South African water sector.
- Relevant legislation, including:
- National Water Act (NWA).
- Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA).
- National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).
- Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA).
- Related policies, regulations, principles, guidelines, tools and procedures.
- Policy development, implementation and monitoring.
Key Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- Strong report-writing abilities.
- Good presentation skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong stakeholder liaison and networking abilities.
- Knowledge of cooperative governance and stakeholder engagement.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Willingness to work abnormal hours when required.
- Willingness to travel nationally.
Salary
R357 597 – R610 131 per annum (OSD)
The applicable salary will be determined according to the relevant OSD provisions and the candidate’s experience.
Available Posts
There are three positions available:
- VOCMA 36 – Bloemfontein: 2 Posts
- VOCMA 37 – Kimberley: 1 Post
Enquiries
Dr. Mmachaka
Telephone: 012 392 1300