Environmental Officer Production Grade A – C at Department of Water and Sanitation

Requirements

• A National Diploma in Environmental Management or Natural Science in any one of the following fields: Agriculture, Agricultural Integrated Water Resource Management, Hydrology (Surface or Ground), Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Water Utilization, Water Resource Engineering, and/or Geohydrology. Practical experience in the field of compliance monitoring and enforcement will be an added advantage. The disclosure of a valid unexpired driver’s license. Good computer literacy and writing skills. Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Knowledge and understanding of water sector-relevant legislation (National Water Act 1998, Water Services Act 1997, and related environmental legislation, e.g., NEMA, Waste Act). Knowledge of industrial, agricultural, afforestation, municipal, and mining processes. Knowledge of compliance monitoring and enforcement with an understanding of prevailing principles of integrated water resource management, water resource protection, and catchment management. Knowledge of GIS. Willingness to travel extensively and work irregular hours.

Duties

• Compliance monitoring of water users across all sectors (mines, afforestation, municipal, industrial, and agroprocessing) against issued authorizations and other regulatory requirements. Notification of audit to water user. Compilation of audit reports through NCIMS. Communicate audit findings to water users. Investigation of non-compliant cases (queries, complaints, pollution incidents, etc.). Ensure administrative enforcement by issuing notices/directives.
• Follow-ups on notices/directives issued. Monitor compliance on sites issued with notices/directives by conducting follow-up site inspections. – Institute legal actions where legal notices do not achieve the desired outcome. Compilation of investigation reports through the ECMS. Facilitate representation / action plan review on non-compliant cases / sites and attend representation committee meetings. Adherence to deadlines on submissions as per the Standard Operating Procedures.