CONTROL ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER GRADE A REF NO: PUCMA 46 Branch: Pongola-Mzimkulu Catchment Management Agency Div: Water Resource Planning and Management

The Pongola-Mzimkulu Catchment Management Agency (PUCMA), a public water resource management entity established under the National Water Act and operating as a component of the national Department of Water and Sanitation, is seeking a Control Environmental Officer Grade A to join its Water Resource Planning and Management division in Durban. This is an OSD-graded professional post that carries significant technical and supervisory responsibility within the agency’s core mandate of protecting and managing water resources across the Pongola-Mtamvuna Water Management Area. The successful candidate will be expected to provide scientific leadership, coordinate complex environmental programmes, and support the agency’s broader regulatory and planning functions.

Applicants must hold a four-year degree or an equivalent qualification in Natural or Environmental Sciences, together with at least six years of post-qualification experience. A valid, unexpired driver’s licence must be disclosed as a condition of employment. The role demands a thorough working knowledge of the National Water Act and all related water and environmental management legislation and policies, as well as a sound grasp of Resource Directed Measures and Integrated Water Resource Management. Practical experience in river health monitoring and indices, an understanding of the tools developed for Reserve determination, and the proven ability to write and interpret technical and scientific reports are essential. Strong project management, negotiation, interpersonal, and communication skills are also required, along with computer literacy and the capacity to work productively within a multidisciplinary team of internal staff and external stakeholders. The ability to mentor and supervise junior staff, provide technical and scientific support to other PUCMA functions, and interact effectively with communities and stakeholder groups is equally important.

The core duties centre on implementing the National Water Act, with particular focus on Resource Directed Measures. This includes executing the Reserve within the water management area, coordinating the Adopt-a-River Initiative, conducting river health monitoring, and undertaking low-confidence reserve determinations, which may involve running hydrological and other relevant models. The role also requires organising field trips, preparing technical information, and writing technical and other reports. The incumbent will liaise closely with the Department of Water and Sanitation on Adopt-a-River, Reserve determination, and River Health Programme matters, as well as with internal and external stakeholders on RDM initiatives. Integration of reserve determinations with water use licence applications and other PUCMA functions is a key responsibility, as is developing terms of reference and managing professional service providers. Additional duties include participating in capacity building and mentorship programmes, preparing monthly and quarterly reports, adhering to submission deadlines under standard operating procedures, managing financial planning for water resource management, and supervising staff in line with agency policies. This position offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to water resource governance in South Africa while working within a dedicated public entity.