ENVIRONMENTAL AND WASTE COMPLIANCE OFFICER

The Environmental and Waste Compliance Officer position is a municipal role based in Graaff-Reinet, focused on ensuring effective refuse removal and the proper management of illegally dumped waste. Operating within the local government framework, the officer works under the direction of a Superintendent and is responsible for translating service delivery priorities into practical operational plans. The role is central to maintaining clean residential and commercial areas, responding to illegal dumping complaints, and ensuring that waste collection and disposal activities comply with municipal standards and procedures.

A major part of the job involves operational control and resource planning. The officer plans, prioritises and schedules the removal of refuse and the clearing of illegally dumped materials. This includes analysing resource requirements against work scope and time frames, providing input into the procurement or purchasing of tools and equipment, and preparing resource allocation schedules that cover cost, material and time spread. The officer also develops priority programmes for execution, briefs personnel on their requirements, and responds to urgent or unscheduled work requests by allocating resources and giving clear direction on expected outputs. This demands strong organisational skills and the ability to keep operations cost-effective and uninterrupted.

The role also carries significant administrative and supervisory responsibilities. The officer completes internal transactional documentation such as tally sheets, log sheets, progress reports and vehicle checklists, forwarding these for processing and correcting any deviations from work schedules and registers. Supervision is a daily duty: the officer monitors attendance, conduct, output and productivity, addresses poor performance through meetings, counselling or other approved methods, and motivates for additional resources when needed. Handling workplace conflict through consultative processes and implementing disciplinary procedures are also part of the role, as is overseeing immediate subordinates to ensure effective service delivery.

Fieldwork and vehicle operations are central to the position. The officer operates and monitors vehicles involved in refuse collection, drives to disposal or landfill sites, and oversees the offloading of waste, providing guidance on waste separation where necessary. They monitor the collection of waste from illegal dump sites, conduct site and area checks, and verify service satisfaction among commercial and residential customers. The officer also attends to customer needs such as additional waste bins and recommends alternative refuse management solutions. Communication is essential throughout, as the officer interacts with the immediate superior to confirm priorities, instructs subordinates on collection routes, and provides materials to support the refuse services function.

Candidates for this role need practical experience in refuse removal and illegal dumping activities, along with a solid understanding of municipal waste operations. The position requires the ability to plan resources, supervise a team, complete documentation accurately, and engage confidently with both staff and the public. While no formal qualifications are listed, the role demands hands-on knowledge of waste compliance, operational control and personnel management. This is an operational, field-based municipal position, and the successful applicant should be prepared to work in Graaff-Reinet, drive to landfill sites, and respond to unscheduled service requests as they arise.