The South African Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainable management of the nation’s water resources. As part of its ongoing efforts to bolster its team with skilled professionals, the DWS has announced several vacancies across various disciplines. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these opportunities, detailing the available positions, requirements, and application procedures.
List of the Department of Water and Sanitation Vacancies
The DWS has advertised multiple positions, each contributing uniquely to the department’s mission. Below is a detailed list of the current vacancies:
1. Chief Engineer Grade A (Ref No: 110425/01)
- Branch: Water Resource Management
- Directorate: Water Resource Development Planning
- Salary: R1,200,426 – R1,371,489 per annum (all-inclusive OSD salary package)
- Location: Pretoria Head Office
- Requirements:
- Civil/Agricultural Engineering degree (B Eng/BSc (Eng))
- Six years post-qualification experience
- Compulsory registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer
- Valid driver’s license
- Experience in Water Engineering or Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
- Strong communication skills and policy development abilities
- Duties:
- Optimize and plan water resource utilization and development
- Conduct multidisciplinary studies to identify available water resources and development needs
- Develop water management strategies
- Evaluate technical options and associated social, economic, and environmental impacts
- Coordinate inputs from various disciplines
- Mentor young engineers and supervise production engineers
- Liaise with organizations on water resource-related matters
- Analyze financial, legal, and institutional aspects of water resource projects
- Manage human resources and ensure effective administration
- Enquiries: Ms. C Fourie at 082 809 2355
- Applications: Email your application quoting the reference number to: RecruitHO11@dws.gov.za or hand deliver to Delta Continental Building, Corner of Visagie and Bosman Street, Pretoria, 0001.
2. Scientist Manager Grade A (Ref No: 110425/02)
- Branch: Infrastructure Management Head Office
- Directorate: Environmental Impact Monitoring
- Salary: R1,042,170 per annum (all-inclusive OSD salary package)
- Location: Pretoria Head Office
- Requirements:
- MSc Degree in Applied Geology, Geological Sciences, or relevant science qualification
- Six years post-BSc natural scientific experience
- Compulsory registration with the South African Council of Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) as a Professional Natural Scientist
- Valid driver’s license
- Experience in Engineering Geology, Soil Mechanics, or Rock Mechanics is advantageous
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies
- Technical report writing skills and ability to provide technical support
- Strong communication and people management skills
- Duties:
- Lead and manage the sub-directorate’s geotechnical and geological services
- Provide geological services for the development, maintenance, and rehabilitation of bulk water infrastructure projects
- Develop and manage geological and geotechnical investigation programs
- Supervise soil and rock laboratory testing programs
- Compile Environmental Management Programs for geotechnical investigations
- Offer technical inputs to DWS civil engineering projects
- Provide technical support to regional and cluster offices
- Represent the department in various forums and manage stakeholder relationships
- Enquiries: Dr. J Maluleke at (012) 336 8875
- Applications: Email your application quoting the reference number to: RecruitHO11@dws.gov.za or hand deliver to Delta Continental Building, Corner of Visagie and Bosman Street, Pretoria, 0001.
3. Control Engineering Technologist Grade A (Electrical) (Ref No: 110425/03)
- Branch: Infrastructure Management Northern Operations
- Directorate: Operations Northern (Technical Services)
- Salary: R873,840 per annum (all-inclusive OSD salary package)
- Location: Hartbeespoort: Northern Operations Cluster Office
- Requirements:
- Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) in Electrical Engineering or relevant qualification
- Six years post-qualification Engineering Technologist experience
- Compulsory registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineering Technologist
- Valid driver’s license
- Knowledge and experience in Works Management and SAP PM is advantageous
- Advanced experience in budgeting and expenditure control
- Knowledge of operations and maintenance management, project management, contracts management, and procurement processes
- Familiarity with legal compliance and technical report writing
- Duties:
- Manage water infrastructure operations and maintenance (O&M) projects.
- Lead teams of engineers, technologists, technicians, artisans, and associates in technical operations.
- Ensure safety compliance according to statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Evaluate technical procedures, manuals, and standard drawings to integrate new technologies.
- Execute capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects using term contractors.
- Provide leadership in quality assurance, budget planning, and procurement.
- Participate in performance committees and ensure mentorship of junior personnel.
- Enquiries: Mr IR Mmutloane at 087 943 3702
- Applications: Email your application to: NOPSRecruitHBP@dws.gov.za or hand deliver to Old Rustenburg Road, 8 Forrel Street, Hartbeespoort, 0216.
4. Scientist Production Grade A – C (Ref No: 110425/04)
- Branch: Water Resource Management
- Directorate: Water Resources Management Planning
- Sub-Directorate: Water Quality Planning
- Salary: R721,476 – R1,084,368 per annum (Offer based on experience)
- Location: Pretoria Head Office
- Requirements:
- BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, Biochemistry or Microbiology.
- 3 years post-qualification experience.
- Registration with SACNASP as a Professional Natural Scientist.
- Valid driver’s license and computer literacy.
- Strong knowledge of water quality and resource planning.
- Duties:
- Develop water quality planning strategies and modelling.
- Conduct assessments to address water quality data gaps.
- Formulate planning goals, limits, and intervention strategies.
- Provide national guidance and technical support on water quality management.
- Enquiries: Mr P Viljoen at (012) 336 7514
- Applications: Email to: RecruitHO11@dws.gov.za
5. Control Engineering Technician Grade A (Civil) (Ref No: 110425/05)
- Location: Hartbeespoort Area Office
- Salary: R522,741 per annum
- Requirements: National Diploma in Civil Engineering, 6 years post-qualification experience, ECSA registration.
- Duties:
- Lead operations section and provide technical support.
- Manage safety protocols and quality assurance.
- Budget planning and administrative reporting.
- Liaise with relevant bodies on civil engineering matters.
- Enquiries: Mr IR Mmutloane at 087 943 3702
- Applications: Email to: NOPSRecruitHBP@dws.gov.za
6. Control Engineering Technician Grade A (Mechanical) (Ref No: 110425/06)
- Location: Hartbeespoort Area Office
- Salary: R522,741 per annum
- Requirements: National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, 6 years of technical experience, ECSA registration.
- Duties:
- Oversee technical workshop operations.
- Manage and supervise mechanical, electrical, and civil maintenance projects.
- Budget planning and human resources management.
- Perform extensive travel and site inspections.
7. Control Survey Technician Grade A (Survey Services) (Ref No: 110425/07)
- Location: Levubu
- Salary: R522,741 per annum
- Requirements: Diploma in Surveying, 6 years experience, registration with SAGC, driver’s license.
- Duties:
- Conduct and supervise topographical, hydrographical and cadastral surveys.
- Train and supervise junior technicians.
- Use GPS, CAD, and Model Maker software for analysis.
8. Survey Technician Production Grade A–C (Survey Services) (Ref No: 110425/08)
- Location: Levubu
- Salary: R371,253 – R556,080
- Requirements: National Diploma in Surveying, 3 years experience, SAGC registration.
- Duties:
- Perform field surveys and prepare reports.
- Maintain technical survey equipment.
- Assist in project planning and mentoring.
9. Artisan Foreman Grade A (Mechanical) (Ref No: 110425/09)
- Location: Groblersdal Area Office
- Salary: R362,130
- Requirements: Trade Test Certificate in Fitting & Turning, 5 years’ experience, driver’s license.
- Duties:
- Supervise mechanical repairs on infrastructure.
- Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
- Manage technical teams and training.
10. Artisan Production Grade A–C (Electrical) (Ref No: 110425/10)
- Location: Groblersdal Area Office
- Salary: R230,898 – R386,775
- Requirements: Electrical Trade Test Certificate, 2 years Artisan Aid experience preferred.
- Duties:
- Maintain electrical systems in dams and pump stations.
- Update logs and supervise subordinates.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations.
11. Artisan Grade A–C (Civil) (Ref No: 110425/11)
- Location: Groblersdal Area Office
- Salary: R230,898 – R386,775
- Requirements: Trade Test Certificate in Carpentry, 2 years experience.
- Duties:
- Maintain and repair civil installations.
- Supervise Civil Foremen and general workers.
- Prepare reports and ensure adherence to OHS.
12. Artisan Grade A–C (Mechanical) (Ref No: 110425/12)
- Location: Groblersdal Area Office
- Salary: R230,898 – R386,775
- Requirements: Fitter and Turner Trade Test Certificate.
- Duties:
- Repair mechanical installations in key water infrastructure.
- Inspect and maintain machinery and pumps.
- Compile maintenance logs and technical reports.
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How to Apply
Interested candidates must:
- Use the new Z83 form available at DWS Careers or the DPSA website.
- Include a comprehensive CV and fill out all mandatory sections on the Z83 form.
- Submit supporting documents only when shortlisted.
- Applications must be submitted on or before 11 April 2025.
- Late or incomplete applications will be disqualified.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has opened its doors to a wide range of skilled professionals eager to contribute to South Africa’s sustainable water future. These Department of Social Department Vacancies present a valuable opportunity for engineers, scientists, artisans, and technicians to build a meaningful career in public service. With roles available at different levels and in various regions, there’s a place for individuals from diverse backgrounds and specialisations.
