SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN PRODCUTION GRADE A ( is a South African government vacancy at Department of Agriculture (DoA). This job is part of Circular 18 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Gauteng: Pretoria: (Roodeplaat: Genebank) | closing date: 12 June 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Directorate
Genetic Resources
Salary
R407 337 per annum (OSD)
Centre
Gauteng: Pretoria: (Roodeplaat: Genebank)
Requirements
- Applicant must be in possession of a Grade 12 certificate and BSc or National Diploma with Botany, Agronomy, Horticulture, Agriculture as a major subject or relevant qualification.
- Compulsory registration with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) as a Certified Natural Scientist.
- Job Related Work Experience: Minimum of 3 years post qualification in the field of botany, horticulture, agronomy, agriculture or conservation of plant genetic resources.
- Job Related Knowledge: Conservation and sustainable use principles.
- Plant methodology, Plant collection strategies.
- Seed storage.
- Seed processing.
- Data management.
- Job Related Skills: Planning.
- Problem Solving.
- Research.
- Computer literacy.
- Communication skills.
- Driver’s license.
- Organising skills.
- National and regional travelling.
Duties
- Perform procedures and functions relevant to ex situ conservation activities relevant to conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
- Process collected and harvested material, including accessions in active collection (cleaning, fumigation, counting, packaging, labelling and storage).
- Maintain material planted in shade house/field trials (includes application of fertilizer and pesticides, weeding, irrigation, where applicable etc.) Assist with characterization activities pertaining to gene bank accessions.
- Perform procedures and functions relevant to in-situ/on-farm conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
- Assist with establishment and monitoring of in situ/on-farm conservation projects and community seed banks.
- Process and register harvested materials collected from on-farm conservation projects.
- Assist in identification and preparation of gene bank material for repatriation.
- Assist with activities pertaining to plant collection missions.
- Perform technical scientific analysis and regulatory functions relevant to conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
- Plant and monitor gene bank accessions identified for multiplication and characterisation.
- Conduct germination testing of identified/selected accessions.
- Package and label accessions with acceptable germination percentages.
- Conduct moisture content analysis.
- Assist with preparation of material identified for safe duplication at the SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC).
- Assist in preparation of material requested under the Material Transfer Agreement.
- Assess the needs and status of Gene bank facilities and equipment.
- Conduct Research and Development to conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
- Collect and record data on accessions planted, using recognised descriptors.
- Contribute to development of research outputs on conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
- Assist on collecting and analysing information/data on sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
- Provision of inputs/information for reports required by relevant national/regional/international bodies.
Enquiries
Ms ML Mokoena Tel: (060) 972 9702
Applications
Where to send your application.
Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, ARCADIA, Pretoria, 0002 or by email STPrecruit37@nda.gov.za.
Department Notes
To apply, submit a completed Z83 form and detailed Curriculum Vitae (PDF document to a maximum of 10 megabytes) via e-mail or hand delivery. The Department will not be held responsible for server delays. Late applications due to technical issues will not be considered. Shortlisted candidates must provide certified copies of required documents (Identity Document, qualifications, etc) where necessary and service certificates to support senior management experience to Human Resources before the interviews, including South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation reports for foreign qualifications. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. To be appointed at Senior Management Service (SMS) level, you must complete the SMS Preentry programme offered by the National School of Government (NSG). Find course details here: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entryprogramme/ appointment is subject to successful competition of the Nyukela Programme: Pre-entry Certificate to SMS and submission of proof. 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. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process. NB: Please note that false or fraudulent qualifications submitted by applicants will be reported to the South African Police Services (SAPS), and a criminal case
Notes
EE Target: Coloured and White Males and Persons with disability.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Closing Date
12 June 2026 at 16:00
Original Text
Directorate: Genetic Resources
SALARY : R407 337 per annum (OSD)
CENTRE : Gauteng: Pretoria: (Roodeplaat: Genebank)
REQUIREMENTS : Applicant must be in possession of a Grade 12 certificate and BSc or National Diploma with Botany, Agronomy, Horticulture, Agriculture as a major subject or
relevant qualification. Compulsory registration with South African Council for
Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) as a Certified Natural Scientist. Job
Related Work Experience: Minimum of 3 years post qualification in the field of botany, horticulture, agronomy, agriculture or conservation of plant genetic
resources. Job Related Knowledge: Conservation and sustainable use
principles. Plant methodology, Plant collection strategies. Seed storage. Seed processing. Data management. Job Related Skills: Planning. Problem Solving.
Research. Computer literacy. Communication skills. Driver’s license.
Organising skills. National and regional travelling.
DUTIES : Perform procedures and functions relevant to ex situ conservation activities relevant to conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for
food and agriculture. Process collected and harvested material, including accessions in active collection (cleaning, fumigation, counting, packaging,
labelling and storage). Maintain material planted in shade house/field trials
(includes application of fertilizer and pesticides, weeding, irrigation, where applicable etc.) Assist with characterization activities pertaining to gene bank
accessions. Perform procedures and functions relevant to in-situ/on-farm conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and
agriculture. Assist with establishment and monitoring of in situ/on-farm conservation projects and community seed banks. Process and register
harvested materials collected from on-farm conservation projects. Assist in identification and preparation of gene bank material for repatriation. Assist with
activities pertaining to plant collection missions. Perform technical scientific analysis and regulatory functions relevant to conservation and sustainable use
of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Plant and monitor gene bank accessions identified for multiplication and characterisation. Conduct
germination testing of identified/selected accessions. Package and label accessions with acceptable germination percentages. Conduct moisture
content analysis. Assist with preparation of material identified for safe duplication at the SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC). Assist in
preparation of material requested under the Material Transfer Agreement.
Assess the needs and status of Gene bank facilities and equipment. Conduct
Research and Development to conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Collect and record data on
accessions planted, using recognised descriptors. Contribute to development of research outputs on conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic
resources for food and agriculture. Assist on collecting and analysing information/data on sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and
agriculture. Provision of inputs/information for reports required by relevant national/regional/international bodies.
ENQUIRIES : Ms ML Mokoena Tel: (060) 972 9702
APPLICATIONS : Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, ARCADIA, Pretoria, 0002 or by email
STPrecruit37@nda.gov.za.
NOTE : EE Target: Coloured and White Males and Persons with disability.
CLOSING DATE : 12 June 2026 at 16:00
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 18 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.