ARTISAN FOREMAN GRADE A REF NO: 131126/23 Branch: Infrastructure Management: Southern Operations CD: Water Resource Infrastructure Operations and Maintenance Dir: Operations Southern SD: Civil Maintenance

This position offers an experienced civil artisan the opportunity to step into a supervisory foreman role within the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Infrastructure Management branch, specifically under the Southern Operations directorate. Based at the Breede/Gouritz area in Worcester, Western Cape, the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing construction, maintenance, and repair work on critical water resource infrastructure including canals, weirs, dams, and other departmental structures across the region. As an Artisan Foreman Grade A, the incumbent will lead a team of artisans and general workers, ensuring that all civil technical services are delivered to specification, on schedule, and in full compliance with safety and legal standards. This is an OSD-graded post, reflecting a structured career path for qualified artisans moving into management.

To be considered, applicants must hold an appropriate Civil Trade Test Certificate in one of the recognised civil trades—carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, or general construction—and have at least five years of post-trade-test experience as a qualified artisan. A valid driver’s licence is essential, with a minimum Code B required, though a Code C1 or higher is preferred due to the extensive travel demands of the role. The position also demands a solid understanding of legal compliance, technical analysis, the Public Finance Management Act, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills are vital, as is computer literacy and the ability to produce technical reports. The role requires sound decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and organisational abilities, along with the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team. Analytical and creative thinking are also important for addressing maintenance challenges.

The core duties are wide-ranging. The foreman will supervise the construction of civil technical services and structures, ensuring they meet specifications and production limits. This includes producing objects from materials and equipment according to recognised standards, as well as overseeing the maintenance, repair, and servicing of civil structures and facilities. Administrative responsibilities include updating registers of faults and repairs, compiling and submitting reports, and providing input to the civil maintenance plan. The foreman must also plan and schedule maintenance work, allocate resources, and ensure adherence to safety regulations, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Building Regulations. People management is a key component: identifying training needs, managing leave, conducting performance assessments, and supervising and mentoring staff. The incumbent must be willing to travel extensively throughout South Africa and work away from home and office, as duties will be performed at all water schemes across the Western Cape.

Preference will be given to candidates from the geographical area, in line with departmental equity and local employment objectives. This is a permanent, full-time position offering a competitive OSD salary. Enquiries can be directed to the contact person listed in the original advertisement. This role is ideal for a seasoned civil artisan seeking to advance into a leadership position while contributing directly to the maintenance and safety of vital water infrastructure.