Job Opportunities at The South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Job Summary:
The Manager: Regional Centres for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring shall be responsible for
facilitating and leading the implementation and maintenance of the requirements for the international standards ISO 17025 (E) with the aim of achieving and maintaining certification in terms of the standard. The position requires a seasoned professional with a proven trackrecord in the management of laboratory quality systems and ambient air quality monitoring.
The Manager: Regional Centres for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring is expected to:

• ensure that all operations are conducted safely and that persons undertaking the work do so according to SAWS policies and procedures.
• conduct themselves professionally at all times.
• stay abreast/at forefront of trends in the ambient air quality monitoring and laboratory quality management. be innovative and solution orientated. ensure a high level of customer service and satisfaction.

Key Performance Areas:

• Strategic, Business Management and Organisational Support.
• Full life cycle management of ambient air quality and related monitoring infrastructure.
• Laboratory Quality Management – Quality System Development, Implementation,
• Maintenance, Support, Participation in Quality Management System Auditing and Continuous System Improvement
• Financial and Logistics Management.
• Human Resources Management.

Minimum Requirements:

• Four (4) Year Degree in Air Quality Management or Atmospheric Sciences OR an equivalent or higher qualification in Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Physics or Engineering.
• Minimum of 4 years scientific experience in environmental data collection/management/reporting, research and environmental information dissemination.
• Good knowledge of information systems used in air quality data management and laboratory quality management.
• Expert knowledge of laboratory quality systems.
• Knowledge of air quality and other related environmental legislation.
• Good/expert knowledge of air quality and meteorological monitoring.
• Expert knowledge and demonstrable experience in full life cycle management of environmental monitoring infrastructure.
• Knowledge and experience in good corporate governance practices.
• Ability to work independently and without direct supervision delivering commercialand/or public good services by inter alia coordinating/conducting instrument testing, proficiency testing, inter-lab comparisons, instrument repair, network maintenance, data management and reporting.
• 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.
• Ability to manage a diverse team with varying skill levels.
• Demonstrable project management skills and experience.

go to method of application »

Job Summary:

• This position is responsible for matters pertaining to the availability and quality control of near realtime and historical air quality data managed by the South African Weather Service. The incumbent will assist in the provision of quality data to local clients and will be expected to be involved in and contribute to various projects including air quality related research and the development, installation, maintenance and upgrading of existing systems utilized by SAWS.

Key Performance Areas:
The Scientist: Air Quality Information is expected to deliver on the following key goals and strategicobjectives 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 technical as well as scientific and ICT fields, with respect to operational and other associated assistance.
• Strict adherence to national and internationally prescribed standards in respect of the air quality infrastructure maintenance and management of 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.
• 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, equipment installation, upgrading or maintenance of systems, etc.
• 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 SAWS clients.
• Conducting administrative functions related to the post.
• Participation in Quality Management System Auditing and Continuous Improvement programmes and activities.
• Conducting administrative functions related to the post.

Minimum Requirements:

• A Masters degree in air quality sciences OR an equivalent or higher qualification in
• Environmental Sciences, atmospheric Chemistry, Chemistry, Physics etc.
• Minimum of 4 years scientific experience in data management, research and information management activities.
• Good knowledge of 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 written and verbal communication skills.
• 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 »

Job Summary:

• This position is responsible for the operation, maintenance, development, improvement and expansion of the national ambient air quality monitoring infrastructure and other peripheral equipment of the South African Weather Service to meet the SAWS-DFFE MoU and requirements of the 2017 National Framework for Air Quality Management in the Republic of South Africa.

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 monitoringinfrastructure.
• 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 aswell 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.4
• 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 candidate will be required to:

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership to the Marine Research Unit.
• Actively initiate and lead or participate in programmes, projects or activities related to commercial services and public good including those of national and/or international scale.
• Have a strong understanding of coastal modelling dynamics such as utilizing and operating coastal modelling software tools (ROMS, Delft-3D).
• Develop and/or compile new operational products and establish new methodologies and processes that will improve the service delivery to clients.
• Provide guidance to build focus on national (and regional) marine services.
• Nurture external collaboration with national and international institutions relevant to the marine related data and information in line with strategic directions of SAWS.
• Represent SAWS where appropriate and serve on national or international scientific panels/committees or specialist groups in an expert capacity.
• Participate in support of relevant operational meteorological systems.
• Carry out all administrative functions attached to the post including the supervision of subordinates and the scientific mentoring of colleagues.
• Assist in managing all island / marine activities in a cost effective manner while conforming to prescribed standards.
• Assisting in annual financial planning activities including budgeting and expenditure control
• Supervise the adequate stock levels required for the marine and islands.
• Perform routine office administration practices including lodging claims, leave processing, transport administration, periodic reporting and administration of registers.
• Perform functions/duties as delegated by Chief Scientist and/or Senior Manager.
• Execute collaboration with all marine related stakeholders.
• Represent the South African Weather Service at meetings as requested by clients, Chief Scientist, Senior Manager or the Executive.
• Ensure efficient managing of TQM standards.
• Provide/coordinate training as instructed/requested.
• Sharing knowledge and skills with appropriate stakeholders and promoting the strategy of SAWS being a learning organization.
• Ascertaining training and development requirements for marine employees.
• Develop new techniques and establishment new methodologies and processes in field to improve on the efficiency in marine.
• Conduct marine and coastal metocean research.
• Add value to the organization through self-driven initiatives contributing to SAWS Strategic Objectives.
• Continue self-development and stay current/relevant with new developments in the field of Oceanography and marine Meteorology.
• Coordinate all activities and functions within the marine community such DEAT, SAMSA, Islands teams, buoys etc.
• Oversee and manage all marine-related assets.
• Ensure that all project deliverables as outlined in the performance agreement are timely met.
• Conduct performance contracting and assessments with Senior Scientist and Junior Scientists.
• Have an understanding and application of SAWS policies, PFMA, and any other applicable regulatory frameworks.

Minimum Requirements:

• The ideal candidate should have at least a PhD in Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences.
• Minimum 5- 10 years’ experience in building and running numerical models such as Delft 3D, SWAN, Wave Watch III, ROMS, NEMO.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Ability to work in a team.
• Candidate should have adequate experience working on successful projects and writing quality research proposals for funding.
• Substantial applied experience with scientific computing using languages such as MATLAB and Python.
• Experience in a Linux computing and scripting environment.
• Experience in the Linux operating environment and scripting within this system
• Proven project management skills in a team leader capacity.
• Evidence of relevant peer reviewed publications, lead/co-author in at least 3 scientific papers.

Competency Requirements

• Innovation leading to implementation
• Analytical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Strategic planning
• Emotional intelligence
• Leadership
• Mentorship