ENGINEER PRODUCTION GRADE A – C REF NO: 301026/14 Branch: Water And Sanitation Services Management: NW Cd: Provincial Operations: Northwest

This position is for a Production Engineer at Grade A to C within the Department of Water and Sanitation, based in Mmabatho and operating under the Provincial Operations Northwest unit of the Water and Sanitation Services Management branch. The role is central to supporting municipalities and Water Services Authorities across the province to plan, prioritise and implement water and sanitation infrastructure and services. As an OSD-graded engineering post, it offers a structured career progression linked to experience, and the successful candidate will be expected to operate as a registered professional engineer, providing technical leadership and ensuring that planning and projects align with legislative and sector requirements.

Applicants must hold a B Eng or BSc (Eng) degree in Civil Engineering, have at least three years of relevant post-qualification experience in civil and water engineering, and be registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa as a Professional Engineer. A valid, unexpired driver's licence is essential because the role involves site visits and travel. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of municipal water services planning, including Water Services Development Plans, master plans and five-year reliability plans, as well as water demand, balances, backlogs, infrastructure capacity, performance and risk assessment. Familiarity with feasibility studies, business plans, project identification, prioritisation, packaging and implementation readiness is also required. Working knowledge of the Water Services Act, National Water Act, Municipal Systems Act and related environmental, public-finance, supply-chain and engineering prescripts is expected. Strong competence in programme, project, contract, risk and financial management, technical report writing, stakeholder coordination and Microsoft Office is necessary, while GIS, hydraulic modelling and engineering design software experience will be an advantage. The role demands analytical, problem-solving, planning, presentation, facilitation and communication skills, along with sound professional judgement, teamwork, client orientation, accountability and ethical conduct.

The main duties involve supporting Water Services Authorities to prepare, review and update WSDPs, master plans, reliability plans and aligned Integrated Development Plan inputs. The engineer will assess current and future service needs, backlogs, demand, water balances, infrastructure capacity, condition, performance and supply risks, and evaluate planning and operational scenarios. They will identify, prioritise and package projects, and quality-assure scoping, feasibility studies, business plans, engineering reports, designs, cost estimates, programmes, risk registers and implementation-readiness information. The role also provides engineering and project-management support to funding processes such as MIG, WSIG and RBIG. Site inspections and technical investigations are key, including verifying geo-referenced project and infrastructure information. The engineer will support the Comprehensive Infrastructure Plan, water conservation and water demand management, Free Basic Services, the Municipal Priority Action Plan, Municipal Strategic Self-Assessment and sector reporting. They will coordinate planning inputs with municipalities, sector departments, departmental programmes and service providers, prepare reports and Annual Performance Plan inputs, and promote compliance, value for money, safety and environmental responsibility. Mentoring Candidate Engineers, graduate interns and engineering technicians is also an important part of the role.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo technical and ethical assessments. This is a professional engineering post that offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on water services delivery in the North West province, working within a government department committed to sustainable and equitable water and sanitation services.