Environmental Specialist x2 at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose

• To provide advice and expertise on environmental matters, ensuring that SARS complies with applicable legislation, regulations, policies and procedures. Design and lead implementation of programmes across the organization to raise awareness and protect the environment within which it operates, proactively identify risks and promote sustainability. Acts as a key liaison between SARS and external stakeholders, including environmental regulatory bodies.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required 

• Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Environmental management / Science /Health/ Biological / Natural sciences AND 8 - 10 years' experience in a Safety, Health, and Environment, of which 3 - 4 years is at a junior specialist level

ALTERNATIVE

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 15 years related experience in a Safety, Health & Environment of which 3 - 4 years is at a junior specialist level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Knowledge of Environmental Impact Assessments.
• Knowledge of legislation and other governance rules and requirements regarding environmental issues such as waste management disposal, radiation safety management, air quality management, occupational hygiene etc.
• Knowledge of Air quality management and sampling techniques
• Knowledge of Occupational Hygiene Surveillance

Job Outputs:

Process

• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies and practices. (I)
• Contribute to the optimum utilisation of organisational resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans. (I)
• Develop a single practice area in alignment with operational activity and procedural frameworks and ensure tactical implementation. (I)
• Draw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices. (I)
• Integrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies for decision making purposes. (I)
• Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy implementation and optimisation of practises, processes and systems across an internal value chain. (I)
• Plan for value-added, continuous practice and system improvements to deliver on objectives to enhance tactical implementation and excellence. (I)
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives, best practice implementation solutions. (I)
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, practice areas and associated procedures and execute the implementation of change and innovation. (I)
• Translate top-down policy, apply modification in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders. (I)
• Advice the employer regarding environmental legal compliance and programmes to ensure compliance.
• Conduct environmental compliance audits against the National Environmental Management Act and all other environmental legislation designed to protect the environment.
• Develop and implement environmental awareness campaigns.
• Develop and implement Environmental Risk Management Systems across the organisation in line with relevant applicable legislation.
• Develop policies, procedures and guidelines for environmental management, practices and principles enterprise-wide across SARS. 
• Develop presentations and submissions to leadership on environmental management systems.
• Participate and provide input in internal and external committees.
• Interpret scientific reports (water tests, air quality, radiation dosimeter reports, etc.) and provide recommendations.
• Keep abreast of changes in environmental matters, understand and interpret applicable legislation, advise the organisation on impact and put mitigation plans in place.
• Lead the implementation of recommendations arising from compliance audits.
• Plan for roll-out of water testing, coordinate Occupational Hygiene surveys and implement a radiation Safety Program.
• Provide advice and guide the organisation to comply with licensing with statutory bodies, where necessary/applicable.

Governance

• Develop and /or align governance and compliance policies for own practice area to identify and manage risk exposure liability. (I)

People

• Integrate new knowledge and transfer skills attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job. (I)
• Provide specialist know-how, support, advice and practice thought leadership in area of expertise. (I)

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of specialisation. (I)

Client

• Develop and ensure implementation of a practice that builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional stakeholder service. (I)
• Participate in the specialist practice community and contribute positively to organisation knowledge management. (I)
• Provide authoritative, specialist expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders. (I)

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability (V)
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Expertise in Context
• External Awareness
• Fairness and Transparency (V)
• Honesty and Integrity (V)
• Organisational Awareness
• Respect (V)
• Stakeholder Engagement and Management
• Trust (V)

Technical competencies

• Business Knowledge
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Efficiency improvement
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Legislative and regulatory compliance
• Occupational Health and Safety

Deadline:29th August,2025