ENGINEER PRODUCTION GRADE A-C REF NO: 301026/15 Branch: Infrastructure Management: Eastern Operations Cd: Water Resource Infrastructure Operations and Maintenance Dir: Operations Eastern Sd: Mechanical Engineering Services

This position is for a Production Engineer at Grade A to C within the Department of Water and Sanitation, placed in the Infrastructure Management branch for Eastern Operations. The incumbent will be based at Midmar Dam and will form part of the Mechanical Engineering Services unit under the Director: Operations Eastern, within the broader Water Resource Infrastructure Operations and Maintenance division. The role centres on the full lifecycle management of bulk raw water infrastructure, from planning and design through to installation, operation and maintenance. It is an OSD-graded engineering post, meaning the offer is structured according to the Occupation Specific Dispensation and will depend on the candidate's years of relevant experience.

Applicants must hold a four-year engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent recognised qualification, and must have at least three years of post-qualification engineering experience specifically in water infrastructure maintenance. Compulsory registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa as a Professional Engineer is required, as is possession of a valid, unexpired driver's licence. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong working knowledge of project, asset and financial management principles, as well as a sound understanding of engineering design and analysis, particularly in relation to pumps and pump stations, dam outlet works and mechanical structural designs. Familiarity with integrated water resource management, water resource protection, and the operation and maintenance of bulk raw water infrastructure is essential. Knowledge of relevant legislation including the National Water Act, Water Services Act, Government Immovable Asset Management Act, National Environmental Management Act, Public Service Regulations and the PFMA is also required. Additional competencies include computer literacy, strong technical report writing, analytical and communication skills, supply chain management knowledge, contractual and legal awareness, and the ability to exercise professional judgement. The department expects professional and ethical conduct and the ability to foster a high-performance culture.

The duties are broad and technically demanding. The engineer will plan, design, install, operate and maintain bulk raw water infrastructure assets, and manage all aspects of maintenance projects for such infrastructure. This includes developing and implementing both short-term and long-term maintenance plans, guiding project planning and monitoring in line with project management methodology, and interpreting and customising technical norms and standards from an engineering perspective. The role also requires reviewing and compiling operations and maintenance manuals, preparing briefing documentation and tender specifications, inspecting and testing mechanical installations, and implementing corrective measures to ensure operational efficiency and compliance. The engineer will oversee the commissioning of mechanical installations, manage resources and budget planning, and develop cost-effective solutions in line with standards. A key responsibility is the training and development of technicians, technologists and candidate engineers to support skills transfer and adherence to sound engineering principles. The position involves compulsory and extensive travel within KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces.

The Department of Water and Sanitation is an equal opportunity employer, and appointments will consider the employment equity imperatives of the Constitution and the Employment Equity Act. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to suitability checks including SAQA verification, reference, criminal and credit checks. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by a SAQA evaluation certificate when shortlisted, and foreign nationals or dual citizens must provide a police clearance from their country of origin. All shortlisted candidates will undergo pre-entry assessments, including a practical exercise and an integrity assessment, and may be required to complete a financial disclosure form and security clearance. For SMS posts, additional psychometric assessments and a National School of Government pre-entry certificate are required. Applications must be submitted online through the departmental e-recruitment system, and candidates should note that the Z83 form's professional registration fields are compulsory. No late applications will be accepted. For further details, the contact person is Mr Tahir Jasat.