Chief Meteorological Technician at The South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Job summary:

• To supervise observations and collection of Meteorological and climate data in support of research and forecasting purposes and act as first line of support in the installation, maintenance, and where possible, repair and upgrade of meteorological equipment. In addition, the Chief Meteorological Technician supervises junior and Senior Meteorological Technicians. 

Key Performance Areas: 

Products, Service Delivery / Infrastructure maintenance: 

• Supervise and perform timely visual weather Observations as determined by the relevant Weather Office. 
• Develop, implement and review SOPs for departmental operations. 
• Supervise and collect Meteorological and climate data and reports to the relevant stakeholders.
• Perform quality control of meteorological data before submitting to SAWS database. 
• Perform quality control of aeronautical information from the African region before submitting to OPMET databank. 
• Install, maintain, and where possible, repair as well as assist with upgrades of weather observation equipment. 
• Continuously monitor the performance of equipment and perform routine and non-routine maintenance. 
• Supervise and performs maintenance planning and monitoring of maintenance schedule. 

Innovation, Process Improvement & Revenue Generation: 

• Analysis of available meteorological and climatological data. 
• Introduced measures to improve data quality and or availability. 
• Analyse current techniques and technologies used in the collection and processing of data to ensure the best practices are used and applied consistently across the board. 
• Perform routine office administration practices including lodging claims, leave processing, overtime, transport administration, reporting (including MRep), administration of registers, etc. 
• Ensure the availability of the relevant Standard Operating Procedures, and that the junior personnel are well inducted on these, have easy access to them and comply accordingly. 
• Ensure Compliance with designated national and international standards. 
• Analyse and Interpret office performance through monitoring, and evaluation and where applicable implement corrective actions. 
• Oversee the data collection function of the Office to ensure conformance to standard operating procedures, regulations and quality controls. 
• Maintain the SHEQ (Safety, Health Environment and Quality) system. 
• Monitor the Risk Register and ensure the implementation of identified risks mitigation actions. 
• Participate in various regional audits and ensure that all audit findings are addressed. 
• Participates in budget planning and procurement process in line with approved SCM policies. 

People, Culture and Values: 

• Promote a culture and practices that reflect the SAWS values and manage the team’s performance. 
• Develop Capacity and capability required to sustain/ maintain observations section operation. 
• Takes ownership of own development activities to ensure performance against agreed standards. 
• Contributes to team success by contribution and commitment to the team. 
• Mentoring and training of new employees (including on-job training). 

Stakeholder Management: 

• Collaborate with the other regional Team in an effort to deliver the SAWS mandate 
• Implement public awareness programmes for the local communities. (Office outreach activities). 

Minimum Requirements and Attributes: 

• NQF Level 4 or Senior Certificate (with Mathematics and Physical Science) and Weather Observers Certificate (NQF Level 5) 
• ICAO AMO competency certificate 
• WMO BIP-T requirements 
• A valid code 08 driver’s license or higher 
• At least 5 years’ experience within the Meteorological Environment, 2 of which must have been at supervisory level. 
• Ability to read, analyse and interpret written request for weather data and information. 
• Knowledge of international standards such as WMO and ICAO. Advanced knowledge of observation tools.

Closing Date: 07 September 2026 ​​​​​​​