CONTROL SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN GRADE A: CRUSTACEANS (SOUTH COAST ROCK LOBSTER AND KZN CRUSTACEAN TRAWL FISHERIES) is a South African government vacancy at Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). This job is part of Circular 16 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Cape Town (Foretrust Building) | closing date: 15 June 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Salary
R573 552 per annum, (OSD)
Centre
Cape Town (Foretrust Building)
Requirements
- A Diploma in Natural Science or a relevant qualification;
- Compulsory registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) as a Certificated Natural Scientist.
- A minimum of six (6) years of post-qualification technical scientific experience in marine living resources or fisheries research.
- All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments.
- One must be a practical exercise, and the other must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment.
- Sound knowledge of scientific methodologies applicable to fisheries research;
- Knowledge of crustacean fisheries, particularly the South Coast Rock Lobster and KZN crustacean trawl fisheries;
- Knowledge and experience in data collection, data management and data analysis of scientific datasets;
- Experience in the development, operation and maintenance of scientific and technical equipment;
- Sea-going and fieldwork experience;
- Knowledge of relevant legislative and compliance requirements applicable to fisheries research and monitoring;
- Computer literacy, including the use of standard data management and office software;
- Good communication, planning and organisational skills;
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
- Willingness to work extended hours, undertake field deployments, and conduct work at sea as required;
- Valid South African driving license.
Duties
- The successful candidate will provide technical and operational support to the crustacean research programme, with specific focus on the South Coast Rock Lobster and KZN Crustacean Trawl fisheries.
- Key responsibilities include: Provide technical leadership in the collection, verification, management and analysis of fisheries-dependent and fisheries-independent data to support scientific assessments and management advice;
- Develop, maintain and update fisheries databases and data systems in support of monitoring and research programmes;
- Coordinate and support field surveys, sampling programmes and monitoring activities, including logistical arrangements, equipment preparation and quality control of collected data;
- Participate in seagoing and field trips as required;
- Participate in Scientific and Management Working Group meetings and contribute technical inputs, data updates and progress reports;
- Compile and disseminate technical reports, summaries and data products for management, stakeholders and scientific forums;
- Liaise with research institutions, universities, industry partners and regulatory bodies on matters relating to crustacean research and monitoring;
- Support the administration of research and monitoring projects, including planning, scheduling, documentation and record-keeping;
- Assist with the management and monitoring of project and operational budgets in line with departmental financial procedures;
- Supervise and coordinate technical and scientific work processes and support the mentoring and development of staff, interns and students
Enquiries
Mr. Qayiso Mketsu at 082 782 9674
Applications
Where to send your application.
Must be submitted to the Director-General, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, The Director: Integrated Human Resource Management, Private Bag X4390, Cape Town, 8000 or hand-deliver to 14 Loop Street, Cape Town or can be emailed to the respective email address quoting the reference number on the subject email. Email: FIM17-2026@dffe.gov.za
Closing Date
15 June 2026, 16:00. No late applications will be accepted
Department Notes
Application must be submitted on a New signed Z83 form obtainable from any Public Service Department accompanied by a recent detailed Curriculum Vitae only, to be considered. All attachments for online application must include an application form (Z83) and CV only, in PDF and as one (1) document or attachment, indicate the correct job title and the reference number of the post on the subject line of the email. Use the correct email address associated with the post. JPEG (picture/snapshot) application will not be accepted. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications, Senior Certificate, identity document and driver’s license on or before the day of the interview. It is the applicant’s responsibility to have foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). The National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the Department’s equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Correspondence will be limited to successful candidates only. Short-listed candidates will be subjected to screening and security vetting to determine their suitability for employment, including but not limited to: Criminal records; Citizenship status; Credit worthiness; Previous employment (reference checks); and Qualification verification. Short-listed candidates will be expected to avail themselves at the Department’s convenience. Entry level requirements for SMS posts: In terms of the Directive on Compulsory Capacity Development, Mandatory Training Days & Minimum Entry Requirements for SMS that was introduced on 1 April 2015, a requirement for all applicants for SMS posts from 1 April 2020 is a successful completion of the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme as endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG) prior to appointment. The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into SMS and the full details can be obtained by following the below link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entryprogramme. Furthermore, Shortlisted candidates must provide proof of successful completion of the course. All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. Following the interview and technical passement for all SMS posts, the Selection Panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment in compliance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency-based assessments. Persons appointed will be subjected to a security clearance, the signing of performance agreement and employment contract. The Department reserves the right not to make an appointment. If you have not been contacted within three 3 months after the closing date of the advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. By submitting the employment application form, you agree and consent in terms of Section 11(1) of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), 2013 (Act 4 of 2013), for your personal information which you provide to the DFFE to being processed by the department and its employees, agents, Cabinet committees, and subcontractors for recruitment purposes, in accordance with the POPIA of 2013. ERRATUM: Kindly note that the post of Assistant Director: Forest Resource Protection (X2 Posts) with Ref No: Western Cape: FOM23/2026 and Limpopo / Mpumalanga: Ref No: FOM24/2026 advertised in the Public Service Vacancy Circular 15 dated 08 May 2026 with the closing date of 25 March 2026 has been withdrawn.
Original Text
REF NO: FIM17/2026
SALARY : R573 552 per annum, (OSD)
CENTRE : Cape Town (Foretrust Building)
REQUIREMENTS : A Diploma in Natural Science or a relevant qualification; Compulsory registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions
(SACNASP) as a Certificated Natural Scientist. A minimum of six (6) years of post-qualification technical scientific experience in marine living resources or
fisheries research. All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One must be a practical exercise, and the other
must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment. Sound knowledge of scientific methodologies applicable to fisheries research; Knowledge of
crustacean fisheries, particularly the South Coast Rock Lobster and KZN crustacean trawl fisheries; Knowledge and experience in data collection, data
management and data analysis of scientific datasets; Experience in the development, operation and maintenance of scientific and technical
equipment; Sea-going and fieldwork experience; Knowledge of relevant legislative and compliance requirements applicable to fisheries research and
monitoring; Computer literacy, including the use of standard data management and office software; Good communication, planning and organisational skills;
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
Willingness to work extended hours, undertake field deployments, and conduct work at sea as required; Valid South African driving license.
DUTIES : The successful candidate will provide technical and operational support to the crustacean research programme, with specific focus on the South Coast Rock
Lobster and KZN Crustacean Trawl fisheries. Key responsibilities include:
Provide technical leadership in the collection, verification, management and analysis of fisheries-dependent and fisheries-independent data to support
scientific assessments and management advice; Develop, maintain and update fisheries databases and data systems in support of monitoring and
research programmes; Coordinate and support field surveys, sampling programmes and monitoring activities, including logistical arrangements,
equipment preparation and quality control of collected data; Participate in seagoing and field trips as required; Participate in Scientific and Management
Working Group meetings and contribute technical inputs, data updates and progress reports; Compile and disseminate technical reports, summaries and
data products for management, stakeholders and scientific forums; Liaise with research institutions, universities, industry partners and regulatory bodies on
matters relating to crustacean research and monitoring; Support the administration of research and monitoring projects, including planning,
scheduling, documentation and record-keeping; Assist with the management and monitoring of project and operational budgets in line with departmental
financial procedures; Supervise and coordinate technical and scientific work processes and support the mentoring and development of staff, interns and
students
ENQUIRIES : Mr. Qayiso Mketsu at 082 782 9674
APPLICATIONS : Must be submitted to the Director-General, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, The Director: Integrated Human Resource Management,
Private Bag X4390, Cape Town, 8000 or hand-deliver to 14 Loop Street, Cape
Town or can be emailed to the respective email address quoting the reference number on the subject email. Email: FIM17-2026@dffe.gov.za
CLOSING DATE : 15 June 2026, 16:00. No late applications will be accepted
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 16 of 2026 for reference.
Disclaimer: This vacancy was imported from the official DPSA circular PDF. Please confirm the reference number, closing date, and application instructions in the original circular before applying. View the official DPSA vacancy circulars.



