Area Engineer: Renewable Control and Special Projects at Kouga Municipality

REQUIREMENTS:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering obtained through an accredited Training Institute – NQF level 7.
• Code EB driver’s license.
• Wireman’s license
• Registered as a Professional Engineer/Technologist with ECSA.
• At least 5 years’ relevant experience in a municipal environment.
• Strong understanding of electrical power systems, including distribution networks and municipal grid infrastructure.
• Knowledge of renewable energy systems.
• Familiarity with electrical design standards, codes, and regulations (e.g., IEC, IEEE, local standards).
• Experience with network upgrade and electrification projects.
• an added advantage will be proficiency in using electrical design and simulation software (e.g., ETAP, MATLAB, AutoCAD Electrical).
• Understanding of metering technologies and systems, including smart meters and revenue metering.
• Ability to manage quality control and ensure project deliverables meet specifications.
• Ability to perform project management from inception to close-out.
• Sound report writing and presentation skills.
• Good supervisory skills.
• Good communication and negotiation skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Must be able to speak, read and write in at least two of the official languages in Kouga Municipality (Afrikaans, English, and Xhosa).

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: 

• Required to be on standby during emergency power supply shut downs.

SALARY:

• R724 838.46 Per Annum (Excluding Vehicle Allowance)

TASK: 

• 16

DUTIES:

• Evaluating and commenting on the applicability of specific Electrical Engineering key performance indicators and measures against outcomes detailed in the departments Business and Strategic Plans and SDBIP.
• Mapping out specific electrical changes necessary to achieve alignment with development objectives in accordance with legislative imperatives and managing electrical supply assets and legal matters that fall within the jurisdiction of the Municipality.
• Planning, designing, and execution of municipal electrical infrastructure projects, including network upgrades and electrification programs.
• Aligning electricity systems and procedures to support administrative reporting and monitoring and/or developing guidelines to clarify functional requirements.
• Presenting a conceptual framework of current and future electricity/renewable energy systems interventions required in terms of the appointment to the Manager: Electrical Services for consideration and inclusion into the departments short/ long term performance and service delivery plans.
• Analyzing trends, operating requirements, and forward plans to establish/ determine funding/expenditure for the period.
• Evaluating the sections performance against budget and addressing deviations/variances with appropriate personnel.
• Monitoring and implementing corrective measures to rectify deviations/ acts contrary to financial regulations, audit requirements and departmental procedure.
• Monitoring attendance/conduct and output and addressing deviations from agreed performance indicators through meetings/counseling and/or other approved methods designed to improve and motivate personnel.
• Conducting quarterly evaluation of staff through individual performance appraisals.
• Establishing the adequacy and availability of personnel against agreed outcomes and motivating to the immediate superior for additional resources.
• Keeping staff informed of new developments, legislation, circulars and policies.
• Addressing workplace conflict/conduct through the initiation and coordination of consultative processes and implementation of specific disciplinary procedures.
• Defining skill gap and training needs and activates procedural sequences aimed at developing and capacitating individuals.
• Being responsible for the administration, project and financial management of projects and any other capital projects identified and prioritized by the Council.
• Coordinating project identification and prioritization process ensuring proper integration of the respective Infrastructure Investment Framework (IIF) and Integrated Development Planning (IDP’s) and SDBIP and updating annually.
• Aligning projects with municipal IDP as per the demands identified and prioritized by the Council.
• Keeping abreast with technological developments and alternatives in the delivery of services within the electrical engineering industry.
• Project Completion Rate: Percentage of projects delivered on schedule and within budget.
• Quality Compliance: Frequency of non-compliance incidents or rework identified during inspections.
• Safety Performance: Number of safety violations or incidents reported across project sites.
• Metering Accuracy: Reduction in metering discrepancies and energy losses impacting revenue.
• Tender Process Efficiency: Timeliness and accuracy of tender submissions and contractor evaluations.
• Stakeholder Satisfaction: Feedback scores from contractors, consultants, and municipal partners regarding project execution and communication.
• Development determinations: assessing plans and calculating augmentation.
• Planning and coordinate upcoming project activities, including resource and logistics planning; ensuring that all project activities comply with local codes, environmental regulations, and safety standards in a complex municipal environment.
• Liaising with municipal authorities to secure permits, ensuring regulatory compliance, and facilitating project approvals.
• Monitoring and assessing the progress of ongoing renewable energy and municipal electrical infrastructure projects by tracking project milestones, controlling budgets, and ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, codes, and municipal regulations.
• Guiding the drafting, adjudication and reporting processes with regards to contracts/tenders and verifying details, terms and conditions, specifications, etc comply with laid down policies, regulations and procedures.
• Participating in the appointment process and briefing parties (consultants/ contractors, etc) on the terms and scope of such appointments and, evaluating, investigating and approving submissions on progress, performance and costs.
• Monitoring Contractor performance against agreed terms and conditions though ongoing interaction with site personnel, on-site inspections, etc and alerting the Contractor to any acts of non-conformance.
• Controlling and monitoring special projects implemented i.e. SCADA to ensure data integrity, compilation, and support planning initiatives.
• Implementing procedures to administer contracts and the processing of completion certificates and, verifying outcomes prior to approving payment certificates.
• Resolving technical conflicts and contractual claims and preparing the necessary reports presenting councils arguments at arbitration.
• Establishing key performance indicators and measures for determining/ assessing the level and appropriateness of service delivery with respect to electrical network maintenance metering (routine, planned and unplanned) and electrical repair work.
• Supervising the metering division to ensure the accurate installation, maintenance, and data collection of metering systems, supporting revenue optimization efforts.
• Analyzing metering data to identify anomalies affecting revenue collection and implementing corrective measures.
• Oversee metering operations, including installation, testing, and maintenance of equipment to ensure data accuracy.
• Addressing complex technical issues and disseminating professional advice associated with the objectives and outcomes of the functionality.
• Preparing investigational and productivity reports referring to statistical data and qualitative information related to service delivery initiatives (electrical/renewable energy) of the Department for the attention of the Manager for consideration and inclusion into Council and Sub Committee reports.
• Controlling budget allocations for specific interventions and/or activities of the Section, accessing system information/ reports and making enquiries on deviations to facilitate correction to provisions/allocations and the availability of funds prior to preparing/ or approving requisitions.
• Maintaining schedules/records of Electrical/Renewable Energy assets and equipment, checking the accuracy of updated information against source documentation and/or audit reports and responses.
• Checking and approving instructional/ operational and procedural documentation/forms referring to supporting information from field reports/ activity lists and forwarding for processing.
• Maintaining the document and records system, checking conformity to filing and storage sequences with respect to designs, tenders, contracts, project reports and seeking/or approving the destruction of obsolete and aged records.
• Compiling investigational reports and/or responses to correspondences and queries, undertaking research or extracting information and records to support content, recommendations and/or opinion.
• Communicating with the Council’s Financial Section on audit findings and recommendations and institutes the necessary investigational or corrective measures.
• Communicating the Manager: Engineering/Electrical on matters pertaining to projects in jurisdiction.
• Ensuring continuous improvement of strategies in the reduction of electricity distribution losses by participating in the South African Revenue Protection Association at Provincial and National level.
• Monitoring Contractor performance against agreed terms and conditions though ongoing interaction with site personnel, on-site inspections, etc and alerting the Contractor to any acts of non-conformance.
• The engineer will frequently work on-site to supervise contractors and consultants, inspect progress, and resolve technical issues. This means spending a significant portion of time outdoors, often in varying weather conditions (heat, rain, dust).

Applicants must submit a formal application form and a comprehensive CV, certified copy of qualifications, identity document and driver’s license. Applications must be submitted electronically as one PDF document to [email protected]. Application forms can be obtained from the Municipal website, www.kouga.gov.za and must reach the Human Resource Manager on or before Wednesday, 04 Nov 2026 at 12:00.