BOILER OPERATOR

The Boiler Operator position sits within the Maintenance Directorate at the Tulisa Park Discovery Facility Maintenance Hub, under the broader Department of Community Safety. This is a hands-on technical role focused on the safe, efficient and compliant operation of boiler systems that support the facility’s maintenance functions. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that all boiler-related equipment functions optimally, while also maintaining the surrounding environment to a high standard of cleanliness, safety and operational readiness.

Applicants must hold at least a Grade 10 certificate together with a recognised National Steam Certificate, and should have a minimum of one year of relevant hands-on boiler operating experience. The role requires solid knowledge of low-pressure norms and standards, maintenance works norms, maintenance tools and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Essential competencies include strong interpersonal relations, the ability to use maintenance tools, planning and organising, staff supervision, and effective written and verbal communication. The ideal candidate will be people-centred, professional, honest and ethical, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to Batho Pele principles, transformation and collective responsibility.

The day-to-day duties are varied and technically demanding. The operator will be expected to request chemicals from stores, test water quality in softeners and condensate return flows, fill chemical tanks as prescribed, and top up salt in brine tanks. They must check the working condition of chemical pumps, test total dissolved solids and carry out blow-down procedures according to prescripts, monitor steam pressure constantly, and verify the correct temperature of hot well tanks. Adjusting the stoker for efficient steam delivery, controlling fuel flow, and reporting all defects immediately are central to the role. The operator must also check feed water pump levels and hot well tanks to guarantee a sufficient water supply, ensure standby boilers and funnels are always charged with water and chemicals, and keep the boiler environment clean, safe and well maintained. Additional responsibilities include proper use of protective clothing, cleaning the brine tank and water filter, removing ash from boilers, grit arresters and smoke boxes, logging all recordings in the logbook, supervising staff, receiving and signing off coal deliveries, providing shift reports, maintaining shift and overtime registers, and performing any related ad hoc duties.

This post offers a competitive annual salary with benefits. The department is committed to employment equity and specifically encourages youth, people with disabilities, and candidates from the coloured, Indian and white population groups to apply. A confirmation of disability from a registered medical practitioner must accompany applications from persons with disabilities. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo two pre-entry assessments, one practical and one integrity-based, and all successful applicants will be subject to personnel suitability checks including vetting, criminal record, citizenship, credit, qualification and employment verification. Only a completed new Z83 form and a comprehensive CV are required at the application stage; certified documents are only needed for shortlisted applicants. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by a SAQA evaluation certificate. Applicants should note that late, posted, emailed or hand-delivered applications will not be accepted, and correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates.