WORKS INSPECTOR: MECHANICAL

The Department of Community Safety is seeking a Works Inspector: Mechanical to join its Facilities Maintenance Services directorate, specifically within the Condition Assessment sub-directorate at Head Office. This role sits at the heart of ensuring that building and infrastructure projects within the health and community safety portfolio are planned, executed and completed to acceptable standards. The inspector serves as a technical authority on site, verifying that all new work, maintenance projects and contractor performance align with national legislation, municipal regulations and departmental policies. This is a field-oriented and office-based hybrid role, requiring a blend of technical knowledge, legal understanding and practical problem-solving.

To be considered for this position, applicants must hold a National Diploma in the T, N or S streams, or alternatively an N3 qualification combined with a passed trade test in the mechanical environment, or registration as an Engineering Technician. A valid driver's licence is essential. Candidates need working knowledge of key legislative frameworks including the National Building Standards Act of 1977, the Promotion of Access to Information Act of 2000, the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act of 2000, the Government Immovable Asset Management Act of 2007, the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993, the Public Finance Management Act of 1999, and all relevant regulations and guidelines pertaining to infrastructure matters in health. Strong communication, analytical, technical and problem-solving skills are required, along with personal attributes such as being a team worker, proactive, resourceful, responsive and responsible.

The core duties involve inspecting project sites to confirm that new and maintenance work complies with all relevant regulations and legislation. The inspector must conduct quality control inspections on completed and ongoing work, compile estimates of repairs and costs for minor new work, and maintain an electronic record system tracking work in progress and finalised. Other responsibilities include developing progress reports, interpreting plans and sketches, drafting quotation documents and specifications, and participating in adjudication processes by providing recommendations. The role also requires liaising with stakeholders on technical matters, inspecting contractor work against prescribed standards, advising contractors on legal requirements, compiling payment documents, and processing variation orders and extension requests. Effective contract administration, reporting on project problems, and gathering information for the Extended Public Works Programme are also part of the role.

Shortlisted candidates will undergo two pre-entry assessments, one practical and one integrity-based, with these exercises also scored during interviews. Personnel suitability checks including vetting, criminal record, citizenship, credit, qualification and employment verification will be conducted. The department encourages youth, people with disabilities, coloured, Indian and white applicants to apply, with a medical practitioner's confirmation required for disability disclosure. Candidates may be placed according to corridor coordination and departmental needs. The department reserves the right not to appoint or to use alternative recruitment processes. Only fully completed applications with the required Z83 form and comprehensive CV will be considered, and foreign qualifications must carry a SAQA evaluation certificate. Applicants who do not receive feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.