Chief Technician at The South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Job Summary:

• This position is responsible for the operation, maintenance, development, improvement and expansion of the national ambient air quality monitoring infrastructure and other peripheral equipment of the South African Weather Service to meet the SAWS-DFFE MoU and requirements of the 2017 National Framework for Air Quality Management in the Republic of South Africa.

Responsibilities:

• Maintenance and improvement of existing infrastructure and development/expansion of air quality monitoring networks.
• Electronic, electrical and mechanical maintenance of the country wide air quality monitoring infrastructure on a continuous 24 hours per day, 365 days a year basis.
• Ensure data transmission and accuracy of data from the ambient air quality monitoring infrastructure.
• Perform equipment maintenance procedures as per schedule or when required so as to limit down time of infrastructure to a minimum.
• Assembly and installation of monitoring systems and associated peripheral equipment according to prescribed guidelines installation manuals.
• Commissioning and installation of new technical applications and solutions.
• Perform major and minor repairs to monitoring equipment as and when required.
• Problem solving and other routine functions pertaining to the monitoringinfrastructure.
• Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reporting on the availability and quality of data from the monitoring network in line with applicable SOPS and templates.
• Interaction with technical staff in the SAWS Regional and Head offices in technical aswell as scientific and ICT fields.
• Strict adherence to/implementation of national and internationally prescribed standards and SOPs in respect of the air quality monitoring infrastructure maintenance and data management and reporting.
• Provision of technical support to remote locations (Background stations and Regional offices).
• Provide guidance to and assist junior staff in the solving of problems, scheduled tasks, and other routine functions pertaining to the monitoring infrastructure.
• Ensure that the requirements for preventative and corrective maintenance as well as infrastructure recapitalization are estimated, motivated for and communicated to management and included in Departmental budgets.
• Maintain good/productive stakeholder and client relationships and ensure > 80% client satisfaction.
• Assist with the management and implementation of the Regional Centers for air quality and meteorological monitoring.
• Ensure adherence to ISO 9001 and ISO 17025.
• Keep abreast of the latest developments in ambient air quality monitoring technologies and techniques.4
• Ability to work independently to solve problems, and perform tasks and other routine functions pertaining to the monitoring infrastructure.
• Contribute to the strategic direction and business plan of the South African Weather
• Service, and pay special attention to targets, transformation and recapitalization.
• Act as a mentor to junior staff and provide support to the Regional offices and remote locations.
• Manage air quality workshop and the job card system.
• Ensure equipment and consumables are purchased timeously and maintain operating stock.
• Ensure project expenditure within time and budget.

Minimum Requirements:

• A 4-year qualification related to Electronic or Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or Environmental Management.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in ambient air quality monitoring or other environmental monitoring that involved equipment/instrument commissioning (including siting), instrument operation, maintenance, calibration, repair and data transmission.
• Advanced or expert skills in ambient air quality monitoring instrument operation,maintenance and repair.
• Advanced knowledge of ambient air quality monitoring instruments and measurement technics.
• Good knowledge of computer and information systems as well as database management systems.
• Knowledge of air quality legislation, laboratory quality systems, monitoring equipment maintenance and repair.
• Code 8 driver’s license for a gear shift vehicle (manual).
• Ability to work under pressure and within time constraints.
• Ability and willingness to work over-time (weekends included) as and when needed.
• Ability to travel long distance and sleep-over away from home as per maintenance schedules when required.
• Project management skills and experience.