CHIEF ENGINEER GRADE A is a South African government vacancy at Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). This job is part of Circular 21 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Usutu Vaal (Standerton) | closing date: 03 July 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Applications
Where to send your application.
All applications to be submitted online on the following link: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/
Branch
Infrastructure Management: Central Operations Dir: Operations Central
Salary
R1 317 108 – R1 504 797 per annum, (all-inclusive OSD salary package). Note: This appointment will be made on the minimum notch of the salary range, however, a higher notch within the salary range of Grade A/B will be considered based on experience and qualification in line with the provisions of the Public Service Regulations 2016, i.e. provision of the candidate’s current salary advice.
Centre
Usutu Vaal (Standerton)
Requirements
- An Engineering degree (B Eng or BSC Eng) or relevant qualification.
- Six (6) years post-qualification experience.
- Compulsory registration with Engineering Council South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer.
- The disclosure of a valid unexpired driver’s license.
- Maintenance and knowledge skills.
- Engineering design and analysis knowledge.
- Research and development.
- Computer-aided engineering applications.
- Technical consulting.
- Engineering and professional judgment and responsiveness.
- Good communication skills.
- Excellent computer skills.
- Planning and organising, people management, conflict management, negotiation, change management skills.
- Experience in programme and project management.
- Team leader and decision maker.
- Financial management skills.
Duties
- Manage the area office in the Central Operations Directorate.
- Implementation of Water Resource.
- Infrastructure operations.
- Medium-to-long term plans to ensure continuation of service delivery.
- Short term plan to schedule tasks for efficient operations and maintenance.
- Effective dam safety practices and emergency preparedness plans.
- Emergency plans for any emergency situation that may jeopardise lives and equipment in the area office.
- Maintenance and betterment plans, including general maintenance and related facilities.
- Provide leadership and directions as well as be responsible for facilities for financial management and corporate support in the Cluster Officer.
- Prepare and manage Area office budget.
- Manage and control state-owned land and facilities related to water resource infrastructure.
- Ensure monitoring and evaluation of Cluster Office activities as well as reporting thereon.
- Manage administration and technical staff.
- Promote good stakeholder relations and ensure a customer-focused service delivery related to water resources.
Enquiries
Mr N Buthelezi Tel No: (012) 741 7302
Department Notes
Other related documentation such as copies of qualifications, identity document, driver’s license etc need not to accompany the application when applying for a post as such documentation must only be produced by shortlisted candidates during the interview date in line with DPSA circular 19 of 2022. With reference to applicants bearing professional or occupational registration, fields provided in Part B on the online Z83 must be completed as these fields are regarded as compulsory. Failure to complete or disclose all required information will automatically disqualify the applicant. No late applications will be accepted. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to suitability checks (SAQA verification, reference checks criminal and credit checks). SAQA evaluation certificate must accompany foreign qualifications (only when shortlisted). Applications that do not comply with the abovementioned requirements will not be considered. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise and interview. Following the technical exercise and interview, a maximum of three (3) SMS candidates will undergo psychometric assessments to assess cognitive capabilities, behavioural preferences, emotional intelligence, and integrity. A pre-entry certificate obtained from the National School of government is required prior to the appointment. 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. Candidates will be required to complete a financial disclosure form and undergo security clearance. Foreigners or dual citizenship holders must provide a police clearance certificate from country of origin (only when shortlisted). The Department of Water Sanitation is an equal opportunity employer. In the filling of vacant posts, the objectives of section 195 (1) (i) of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (Act No: 108 of 1996) the Employment Equity imperatives as defined by the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No: 55 of 1998) and relevant Human Resources policies of the Department will be taken into consideration. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you do not hear from us within three (3) months of this advertisement, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful. Faxed applications will not be considered. The department reserves the right not to fill these positions. Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and preference will be given to the EE Targets.
Notes
Candidates may be subjected to a skills and knowledge test. Please be advised that the office will transition to an SANWRIA agency.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Original Text
Dir: Operations Central
SALARY : R1 317 108 – R1 504 797 per annum, (all-inclusive OSD salary package). Note: This appointment will be made on the minimum notch of the salary range,
however, a higher notch within the salary range of Grade A/B will be considered based on experience and qualification in line with the provisions of the Public
Service Regulations 2016, i.e. provision of the candidate’s current salary advice.
CENTRE : Usutu Vaal (Standerton)
REQUIREMENTS : An Engineering degree (B Eng or BSC Eng) or relevant qualification. Six (6) years post-qualification experience. Compulsory registration with Engineering
Council South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer. The disclosure of a valid unexpired driver’s license. Maintenance and knowledge skills.
Engineering design and analysis knowledge. Research and development.
Computer-aided engineering applications. Technical consulting. Engineering and professional judgment and responsiveness. Good communication skills.
Excellent computer skills. Planning and organising, people management, conflict management, negotiation, change management skills. Experience in
programme and project management. Team leader and decision maker.
Financial management skills.
DUTIES : Manage the area office in the Central Operations Directorate. Implementation of Water Resource. Infrastructure operations. Medium-to-long term plans to
ensure continuation of service delivery. Short term plan to schedule tasks for efficient operations and maintenance. Effective dam safety practices and
emergency preparedness plans. Emergency plans for any emergency situation that may jeopardise lives and equipment in the area office. Maintenance and
betterment plans, including general maintenance and related facilities. Provide leadership and directions as well as be responsible for facilities for financial
management and corporate support in the Cluster Officer. Prepare and manage Area office budget. Manage and control state-owned land and facilities
related to water resource infrastructure. Ensure monitoring and evaluation of
Cluster Office activities as well as reporting thereon. Manage administration and technical staff. Promote good stakeholder relations and ensure a
customer-focused service delivery related to water resources.
ENQUIRIES : Mr N Buthelezi Tel No: (012) 741 7302
NOTE : Candidates may be subjected to a skills and knowledge test. Please be advised that the office will transition to an SANWRIA agency.
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 21 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.