Water Quality Technician – Source Water at Rand Water

Job Advert Summary    

• The incumbent will be responsible for Catchment monitoring, and management of the Vaal Dam and Vaal River Barrage Reservoirs for the protection of raw water quality. Additional support services to departmental activities for the total drinking water supply chain (catchment to tap) will also be required.

Minimum Requirements    

• Degree (NQF Level 7 or higher) in Natural Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Hydro-Sciences, or related disciplines.
• 3-5 years postgraduate work experience in water industry
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to undertake fieldwork.
• Experience engaging with multi-sector stakeholders (municipalities, industries, communities, forums).
• Understanding of surface and groundwater systems, water quality and water resource legislation and knowledge of catchment monitoring and management.
• Experience in water quality monitoring, and lab data evaluation.
• Understanding of water treatment processes and Water Safety Planning processes
• Computer literacy including statistical skills

Primary Duties    

• Monitoring water quality in Upper Vaal Catchment area through collection of samples in rivers as well as the Vaal Dam and Vaal Barrage Reservoirs.
• Identify risks and pressures (e.g. pollution sources, land use changes, over-abstraction etc., and lobby corrective action within available legal framework.
• Establish, implement and maintain a sustainable water resource management strategy within the Vaal Dam Catchment.
• Provide scientific and technical knowledge on water quality and quantity issues at all levels of Rand Water’s involvement in sustainable water resource management of the Catchment.
• Participate in the maintenance of catchment online water quality monitoring system.
• Interpret raw water quality data and flag water quality risks for drinking water operations.
• Participate in the source water quality risk assessments and water safety planning.
• Participate in alerting the Drinking Water Assurance team to upstream risks that may compromise drinking water quality.
• Support catchment-to-tap safety strategies.

Knowledge    

• Understanding of water quality management and catchment management principles, hydrology and GIS.
• Understanding of the drinking water supply chain
• Understanding of water treatment processes
• Understanding of water legislation and regulation

Skills    

• Technical report writing skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
• Ability to educate others on water quality assurance requirements
• Project management skills
• Problem investigation and solving skills

Attitude    

• Ability to interact with different groups of people
• Self-driven and internally motivated
• Good interpersonal skills
• Team worker and can work independently
• Attention to detail
• Customer service orientated
• Not averse to fieldwork and working remotely

Deadline:19th September,2025