Environmental Officer (Specialised Production) Grade A REF NO: 090224/05 at Department of Water and Sanitation

REQUIREMENTS : 

• A relevant Honours Degree in Environmental sciences or related Environmental fields. Three (3) year post qualification experience in any of the following fields will serve as an advantage: Water Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Law, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, Resource Management Plans for dams and management of activities around dam basins. 
• Knowledge in water and wastewater quality management and understanding of the principles of integrated water resource management and conservation will serve as an advantage. Computer literacy.
•  A valid unexpired driver’s license. 
• Working knowledge of National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998), Water Services Act (No.108 of 1997), related policies and guidelines. Understanding of relevant Environmental legislations (NWA, CARA, NEMA and MPRD etc.,) together with related policies, regulations, principles, guidelines, tools, and procedures, policy development, implementation, and monitoring. Knowledge of PFMA and Treasury Regulations 16. Knowledge of Safety at Sport and Recreational Events Act. 
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act. 
• Ability to review technical and scientific reports and provide recommendations.
• Exposure to construction environment management. 
• Technical report writing skills with proven ability and experience to write and interpret technical and scientific reports and documents. 
• Ability to provide technical and scientific support to Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) units and other government departments. 
• Professional Judgment. Good communication, presentation, and networking skills. People management skills. Planning, organizing, conflict management and change management. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinking capability. The ability to work independently, to interact with communities, Professional Service Providers (PSPs) and planning partners in and around the water sector. Willingness to travel extensively all over the country and work irregular hours.

DUTIES :

• Provide integrated environmental services towards the development, maintenance, rehabilitation, and refurbishment of bulk water infrastructure projects. 
• This includes amongst others, the undertaking of environmental legislative screening investigations, application for Environmental Authorizations and other EIA related requirements. 
• Compilation and monitoring of Environmental Management Programmes that address issues of waste management, pollution control and alien invasive species management. 
• Provide technical inputs to DWS environmental projects.
•  Resolve social and ecological issues that arise during the pre-construction, construction, upgrading or refurbishment of infrastructure, and conducting environmental audits for compliance monitoring. 
• Coordinate the development of the operation plan to ensure monitoring and compliance of drinking water quality and wastewater infrastructure and effluent discharge management.
•  Provide technical environmental and scientific support to policy development. 
• Assist in developing and implementation of recreational water use policies and guidelines as well as the Leasing Policy. 
• Provide assistance to Land Right Administration in matters of lease agreements and State land management. 
• Implementation of other related legislation dealing with access and use of state dams for recreational purposes.
•  Advise on applications for commercial recreational water use at state dams especially with regards to PFMA and Treasury Regulation 16 requirements. Give Environmental support and guidance to other DWS Sections including the DWS Infrastructure Management cluster offices.
•  Provide technical support to land use management within state dams. Evaluate and review scientific data in support of the compilation and implementation of the Resource Management Plans at state dams.
•  Provide technical support to Cluster Offices on Public Private Partnership projects. Represent the Department in various fora including participation in the Project Coordination Committee / technical committee meetings for projects. 
• Develop terms of reference and assist in the management of PSPs where required. Attend meetings and managing conflict among various stakeholders during the relocation and settlement negotiation process.