Current Jobs at The South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Responsibilities:

• Maintenance and improvement of existing infrastructure and development/expansion of air quality monitoring networks. 
• Electronic, electrical and mechanical maintenance of the country wide air quality monitoring infrastructure on a continuous 24 hours per day, 365 days a year basis. 
• Ensure data transmission and accuracy of data from the ambient air quality monitoring infrastructure. 
• Perform equipment maintenance procedures as per schedule or when required so as to limit down time of infrastructure to a minimum. 
• Assembly and installation of monitoring systems and associated peripheral equipment according to prescribed guidelines installation manuals. 
• Commissioning and installation of new technical applications and solutions. 
• Perform major and minor repairs to monitoring equipment as and when required. 
• Problem solving and other routine functions pertaining to the monitoring infrastructure. 
• Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reporting on the availability and quality of data from the monitoring network in line with applicable SOPS and templates.
• Interaction with technical staff in the SAWS Regional and Head offices in technical as well as scientific and ICT fields. 
• Strict adherence to/implementation of national and internationally prescribed standards and SOPs in respect of the air quality monitoring infrastructure maintenance and data management and reporting. 
• Provision of technical support to remote locations (Background stations and Regional offices). 
• Provide guidance to and assist junior staff in the solving of problems, scheduled tasks, and other routine functions pertaining to the monitoring infrastructure.
• Ensure that the requirements for preventative and corrective maintenance as well as infrastructure recapitalization are estimated, motivated for and communicated to management and included in Departmental budgets. 
• Maintain good/productive stakeholder and client relationships and ensure > 80% client satisfaction. 
• Assist with the management and implementation of the Regional Centers for air quality and meteorological monitoring. 
• Ensure adherence to ISO 9001 and ISO 17025. 
• Keep abreast of the latest developments in ambient air quality monitoring technologies and techniques. 
• Ability to work independently to solve problems and perform tasks and other routine functions pertaining to the monitoring infrastructure. 
• Contribute to the strategic direction and business plan of the South African Weather Service, and pay special attention to targets, transformation and recapitalization. 
• Act as a mentor to junior staff and provide support to the Regional offices and remote locations. 
• Manage air quality workshop and the job card system. 
• Ensure equipment and consumables are purchased timeously and maintain operating stock.
• Ensure project expenditure within time and budget. 

Minimum Requirements: 

• A 4-year qualification related to Electronic or Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or Environmental Management. 
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in ambient air quality monitoring or other environmental monitoring that involved equipment/instrument commissioning (including siting), instrument operation, maintenance, calibration, repair and data transmission. 
• Advanced or expert skills in ambient air quality monitoring instrument operation, maintenance and repair. 
• Advanced knowledge of ambient air quality monitoring instruments and measurement technics. 
• Good knowledge of computer and information systems as well as database management systems. 
• Knowledge of air quality legislation, laboratory quality systems, monitoring equipment maintenance and repair. 
• Code 8 driver’s license for a gear shift vehicle (manual). 
• Ability to work under pressure and within time constraints. 
• Ability and willingness to work over-time (weekends included) as and when needed. 
• Ability to travel long distance and sleep-over away from home as per maintenance schedules when required. 
• Project management skills and experience. 

go to method of application »

Key Performance Areas: 
The Scientist: Air Quality Information is expected to deliver on the following key goals and strategic objectives of the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS) as per the SAWS Strategic and Business Plan: 

• Quality control and quality assurance of air quality data; 
• Active involvement in the commissioning and installation of new technical applications and solutions; 
• Report on the availability and quality of data from the monitoring network; 
• Interaction with technical staff in the Regions and head office in technical as well as scientific and ICT fields, with respect to operational and other associated assistance; 
• Adhere to/implement national and internationally prescribed standards in respect of the air quality infrastructure maintenance and the derived data; 
• Keep abreast of the latest air quality monitoring systems and infrastructures and related developments, technologies and techniques; 
• Provision of near real-time, quality controlled and assured ambient air quality data and information gathered by ambient air quality monitoring stations reporting to the SAAQIS through the SAAQIS web site to government, business and industry, academia, research institutes and the general public; 
• Publication of research, air quality newsletters, official publications, legislation, Gazettes and other documents related to air quality and air quality management in South Africa on the SAAQIS web site; 
• Development and presentation of Air Quality Monitoring Reports; 
• Delivery of commercial and/or public good services through various projects including client liaison, research, development, installation, upgrading or maintenance of the scientific systems relevant to specific AQ research field; 
• Participation in programs, projects or activities related to commercial and/or public good services; 
• Development of new products and establishment of new processes that will improve the service delivery to clients; 
• Participation in Quality Management System Auditing and Continuous Improvement programmes and activities; 
• Conducting administrative functions related to the post. 

Requirements:

• A Masters Degree in Air Quality Sciences OR an equivalent or higher qualification in Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Physics; 
• Minimum of 4 years scientific experience in data, research and information activities; 
• Good knowledge in computer and information systems, and database management systems;
• Knowledge of air quality and other environmental legislation, 
• Code 8 driver’s license for a gear shift vehicle (manual); 
• Administrative and organizational skills for varied tasks; 
• Ability to work under pressure and within time constraints; 
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal; 
• Knowledge and skills in formulating and writing of reports and scientific papers, with specific reference to air quality related topics; 
• Ability to read, analyse and interpret air quality data and information; 
• Skills and experience (at least 1 year) in project management.

go to method of application »

Key Performance Areas: 

• Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) 
• To develop, implement and monitor the SAWS SHEQ strategy and programmes in support of the SAWS strategic goals. 
• To ensure the SHEQ environment is governed by the required and relevant updated Policies and Procedures, aligned to market practice. Monitor, manage and report on compliance to the SHEQ Policies and Procedures. 
• Ensure the provision of healthy and safe working environments for SAWS Head Office as well as Regional Offices that are fit for purpose. 
• Ensure that the SAWS Healthy and Safety representatives are appointed and trained accordingly. 
• To ensure that the organisation complies with the ISO 9001 standard and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. 
• Perform internal audits on the Total Quality Management systems to identify and correct areas of non-compliance. 
• To establish, implement and maintain a Records Management System and File Plan in compliance with the National Archiving Act (Act 43 of 1996 as amended) 
• Train employees on the Records Management Policies and File Plan and monitor and report on compliance. 
• Implement and maintain a Knowledge Management System in SAWS, with easy access for all staff in accordance with the approved access rights.  

Facilities and Security Management 

• To provide, manage and maintain safe and secure office environments for SAWS Head Office as well as Regional Offices 
• To ensure the Facilities and Security Management environment is governed by the required and relevant updated Policies and Procedures, aligned to market practice. Monitor, manage and report on compliance to the Facilities and Security Management Policies and Procedures. 
• Oversee the maintenance and protection of the SAWS buildings and facilities/grounds in consultation with the relevant stakeholders at the Head Office as well as regional offices. 
• Ensure that the lease agreements are reviewed annually and where applicable, the Supply Chain Management process is followed in time to renew the leases or conclude new agreements. 
• Provide general maintenance and cleaning services to all SAWS offices, within budget and in compliance with the relevant lease agreements. 
• Constantly liaise with the regional managers to ensure all relevant service providers and landlords meet their contractual obligations.

Fleet and travel 

• Oversee the management of the SAWS travel office, including fleet management. 
• To ensure the Travel Office is governed by the required and relevant updated Policies and 
• Procedures, aligned to market practice. Monitor, manage and report on compliance to the Travel Management Policies and Procedures. 
• Provide cost efficient travelling management services to SAWS Employees through the management of Service Providers, in line with Service Level Agreements. 
• Ensure the SAWS fleet is used to support SAWS business activities through monitoring, education and training of employees. 
• Oversee the SAWS travel activities to ensure these comply with SAWS finance, risk management and OHS requirements. 

Risk, Governance and Compliance 

• Work with the Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC) department to identify risk control measures and ensure implementation of these across SAWS. 
• Ensure all the relevant statutory training is conducted as legally prescribed and that records are safely stored for audit purposes. 
• Coordinate all the mandated audits and make sure that the relevant SAWS employees cooperate with the auditors and submit all requested documents. 
• Ensure audit findings are addressed by implementing proper controls to avoid recurrence and repeat audit findings. 
• Ensure that all SAWS SHEQSF compliance certificates are up to date and safely stored. 
• Make sure that all management and statutory reports are drafted, approved, and submitted at the prescribed intervals. 

Stakeholder Management 

• Facilitate regular stakeholder engagements to determine their needs and levels of satisfaction with the services provided by the department. 
• Manage the service level agreements of the relevant service providers and address all issues raised by SAWS stakeholders. 
• Effectively lead and manage the SHEQSF team to ensure that they deliver on the department’s objectives within the allocated resources. 
• Ensure the training and development of the SHEQSF team. 

Required Minimum Education/Training: 

• Relevant Honours Degree (Business Management / Records Management / Health & Safety) Certificate in ISO 9001/OHS systems lead auditing. 
• Financial acumen will be an added advantage. 

Required Minimum Work Experience: 

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in SHEQ/Security and Facilities management, with at least 3 years on Senior Management level. 
• 5 years SHEQ systems auditing experience. 
• Experience in the project management for relocating office environments. 
• Knowledge of the PFMA and Treasury Regulations as it relates to procurement. 
• Stakeholder engagement and proven track record in ability to engage at all occupational levels. 
• Contract management.