Dual Trade Millwright (Electromechanical) (P11) at Sol Plaatje University

Purpose

• The main purpose of this position is to render maintenance support through Electromechanical and electrical-related installations and repairs, routine and scheduled maintenance and callouts.

Minimum Requirement

• Qualified Artisan Certificate (Red Seal) with Mechanical and Electrical trade competencies, 
• Minimum of three (3) years' post-trade experience in electrical and electromechanical maintenance within the built environment.

Recommended requirements

• Experience in electrical and mechanical maintenance within a higher education or facilities management environment would be an added advantage.

Duties

Maintenance and repairs of electrical and electromechanical breakdowns reported on campus

• Electric motors and motor control systems;
• Pumps and pumping systems;
• Generators and standby power equipment;
• Transformers and electrical distribution equipment;
• Mechanical drives and rotating equipment;
• Automation and control systems;
• Assemble, install, test and maintain electrical equipment and malfunctioning systems through fault finding
• Pressure systems and associated plant equipment
• Preventative and corrective maintenance of electromechanical infrastructure
• Connect wires to circuit breakers, lights, plugs and other components
• Inspect electrical systems to identify defects and make necessary repairs
• Evaluate jobs and projects, determine material requirements and order

Routine Maintenance

• Perform routine maintenance on electrical and electromechanical systems in university buildings, lecture halls, offices, residences, and associated facilities.
• Conduct planned preventative and corrective maintenance on electrical installations, motors, pumps, control panels, distribution boards, generators, mechanical drives, and related electromechanical infrastructure.
• Locate and identify existing electrical wiring, cables, conduits, isolation points, and equipment before commencing repairs, alterations, or new installations.
• Ensure that all work complies with Occupational Health and Safety requirements, applicable building regulations, electrical standards, and University procedures.
• Inspect, test, repair, replace, and maintain electrical and electromechanical equipment and fixtures according to approved maintenance schedules and allocated job numbers.
• Conduct fault-finding, testing, isolation, repair, and commissioning of electrical and electromechanical systems.
• Perform physically demanding work, including. drilling, chasing, grinding, cutting, and breaking walls to install electrical plugs, lighting, conduits, cables, and related equipment.
• Apply the required Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and Lockout-Tagout procedures before working on energised or potentially hazardous equipment.
• Ensure that work areas are made safe, debris is removed, and affected walls, ceilings, floors, and finishes are properly reinstated after completion.
• Record all maintenance activities, test results, materials used, defects identified, and outstanding work against the relevant job number.

Scheduled maintenance

• Scheduled maintenance of frequently used locations such as lecture halls, office and administrative
• Scheduled maintenance of Plant and equipment
• Scheduled maintenance of residences.

Mechanical Scheduled Maintenance

• Lubrication Management: Checking oil levels, draining and flushing gearboxes, and greasing high­speed bearings using specified grease types and quantities.
• Precision Realignment Checks: Conducting scheduled laser or dial indicator checks on motor-to­gearbox couplings to prevent vibration-induced failures.
• Vibration Analysis: Using handheld vibration pens or sensors on bearing housings to detect early signs of internal fatigue, imbalance, or wear.
• Fluid Power Service (Hydraulics & Pneumatics): Replacing system oil filters, testing accumulator gas charges, checking for hydraulic hose wear, and draining pneumatic moisture traps.
• Drive Component Adjustments: Inspecting, tensioning, and replacing worn V-belts, drive chains, sprockets, and pulleys to maximize power transmission efficiency.
• Seals and Packings Inspection: Checking centrifugal pumps, valves, and actuators for fluid leaks, and replacing mechanical seals or gland packings before failure.

Electrical Scheduled Maintenance

• Thermal Imaging (Thermography): Using infrared cameras on live electrical distribution boards and control panels to look for hot spots caused by loose connections.
• Panel Cleaning and Tightening: Isolating panels to vacuum out dust/debris and torquing terminal screws to specification to prevent arcing and electrical fires.
• Insulation Resistance Testing (Meggin): Performing scheduled insulation tests on electric motor windings to catch internal breakdown before a short circuit occurs.
• Motor Current Overload Testing: Measuring running amperage on all three phases of a motor using a clamp meter to ensure it stays within nameplate limits.
• Safety Interlock Inspections: Testing emergencies stop buttons, safety light curtains, pull-switches, and door limit switches to ensure immediate system shutdown.
• PLC and Automation Backups: Checking PLC battery status lights, swapping backup batteries while the system is powered, and ensuring automation panels are cooling properly.
• VSD Filter and Fan Service: Cleaning or replacing the ventilation filters and cooling fans on Variable Speed Drives to prevent overheating trips.

Breakdown callouts

• Attend call-outs both over weekends and after hours
• Ensure availability and response when on standby duty
• When emergency repairs are conducted, ensure that permanent repairs are done according to electrical standards.
• Record all breakdowns, actions taken, materials used, and outstanding permanent repairs against the relevant job card.

Administration

• Collect Job cards from Senior Officer: Maintenance (Foremen), discuss requirements if necessary
• Keep record of material utilised on each job
• Have department sign off the job card before returning the completed job card to the Foreman for inspection of completed work

Maintenance and safekeeping of equipment and machinery

• Ensure that all equipment and machinery are regularly inspected, maintained, and serviced according to the prescribed schedules and manufacturer requirements.
• Ensure that all equipment and machinery are stored safely and securely to prevent damage, misuse, theft, or unauthorised access.
• Maintain accurate service, maintenance, and equipment-control records.

Safety, health and environmental management

• Identify and report unsafe circumstances
• Ensure compliance with SHE policies and procedures.
• Use prescribed personal protective equipment.

Risk Assessments (HIRA)

• Conduct and document a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) for each job before work commences.
• Identify all potential hazards associated with the task, equipment, work area, and personnel involved.
• Determine the level of risk and implement appropriate control measures to eliminate or reduce the risk.
• Communicate the identified hazards and control measures to all employees and contractors involved.
• Review and update the HIRA whenever the scope of work, conditions, equipment, or risks change.
• Ensure that the completed HIRA is approved and available at the work site for the duration of the job.

Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) Permits

• Identify the specific jobs that require Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) permits before work commences.
• Ensure that all relevant electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, or other hazardous energy sources are isolated.
• Verify that the correct isolation points are identified, locked, tagged, and tested before any maintenance or repair work begins.
• Ensure that LOTO permits are completed, authorised, and linked to the applicable job card.
• Communicate the isolation procedure to all employees and contractors involved in the work.
• Maintain a record of all locks, tags, permits, authorised people, and isolation points.

Closing Date 03 September 2026