Environmental Officer (Specialised Production): Specialisation in wetlands or biodiversity at Western Cape Government

Minimum Requirements    

• 4-year Degree or equivalent qualification in Natural or Environmental Sciences; A valid driving licence.

Recommendation    

• Registration with the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner; Experience in environmental impact assesssment.

Key Performance Areas    

Management of EIA Applications and Directives, including the development of Environmental Authorisations, conditions of authorisations/directives and exemptions, which would include the following:

• Implement the administration (process) of applications submitted by Organs of State in terms of the NEMA: EIA Regulations, Section 30A Regulations and ECA: OSCA Regulations;
• Administer (process), implement and recommend decisions on applications that require authorisation in terms of NEMA and the NEMA: EIA regulations;
• Take responsibility for the management of EIA process assigned applications for environmental authorisation;
• Ensure quality and productivity of work produced;
• Facilitate coordination and cooperation between organs of state in the consideration of environmental impact assessment applications;
• Manage and resolve conflict in EIA regulatory processes where required;

Management and provision of technical /procedural advice relating to non-applications, which would include:

• Provide support and technical / procedural advice to Organs of State with regards to environmental impact management;
• Assess and provide written comment to Organs of State in terms of assigned non-applications to determine the applicability of NEMA EIA Regulations;
• Assist with promoting pro-active environmental impact management, including but not limited to the assessment of applications or advice relating to the adoption of ad-hoc urban areas /development set back lines and the like;

Support, advice and capacity building:

• Provide specialist advice to external clients and staff in terms of NEMA and the EIA Regulations; Conduct engagements with assigned municipalities as per the Directorate's Municipal Outreach Programme (MOP); Support engagements to build capacity within government departments.

Competencies    
Knowledge of the following:

• The integrated environmental management process;
• Applicable environmental legislation, National and Provincial policies;
• Biophysical, social, cultural and heritage and the economic environments;
• The functioning of comparative ecosystems, social interactions and other environmental aspects;
• Methodologies and techniques for the evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessments;
• Methodologies and techniques for the evaluation of environmental management plans, as well as environmental monitoring and auditing;
• Policies, environmental related legislation and ennvironmental matters in the region;
• Related sectors/ fields e.g. mining, agriculture, water industry, forward planning,town and regional planning;
• Ability assess the condition of wetlands/biodiversity on site in order to provide a specialist’s opinion.