SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT is a South African government vacancy at Department of Agriculture (DoA). This job is part of Circular 26 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Western Cape: Stellenbosch | closing date: 07 August 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Directorate
Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Salary
R237 453 per annum (Level 05)
Centre
Western Cape: Stellenbosch
Requirements
- Applicant must be in possession of a Grade 12 certificate.
- Job Related Work Experience: Three (03) years appropriate experience.
- Job related knowledge: Knowledge of Public Service and Departmental prescripts/ policies.
- Agricultural Product Standards Act, Act 119 of 1990.
- Liquor Products Act, Act 60 of 1989.
- Job related skills: Knowledge and application of the laboratory quality system.
- Knowledge of work-related policies and procedures.
- Laboratory techniques and safety.
- Problem solving techniques.
- Effective communication.
- Provisioning Administrative system (chemicals, equipment etc.).
- Data processing.
- Applicable relevant analytical techniques.
- Effective managing of stores and ordering of miscellaneous stores.
- Use of relevant laboratory and office equipment.
- Manual dexterity.
- Communication capabilities.
- Insight capabilities in the application of quality assurance documentation.
- Accuracy, thoroughness and timeousness.
- Computer skills, application/usage of computer software.
- Code 08 Drivers license.
- Alert and troubleshooting skills.
- Administrative and organisational skills.
- Language capabilities with regard to the understating of quality system documentation.
- Planning skills.
- Self-developmental inclined, Ability to work in a team.
- Training skills/give guidance.
- Willingness to work extended hours.
- Handling of hazardous chemicals.
Duties
- Prepare samples and perform routine analysis for the determination of chemical residues / liquor products composition components (quality control): Labelling of samples.
- Collecting/taking samples for preparation (fruits, vegetables and or other agricultural products).
- Preparations of sample material by weighing, drying, cutting etc.
- Preparation of stains, buffets and reagents.
- Visual inspection and collection of infected material if possible.
- Perform extractions and basic analyses of samples.
- Record analyses results.
- Storage of samples.
- Packing and / or transport samples.
- Assist in decontamination and disposal of used samples.
- Removal of waste.
- Perform basic maintenance on selected equipment and instrumentation.
- Report all faulty equipment and instrumentation.
- Perform verification and calibration on selected equipment and instrumentation.
- Maintain tidiness of laboratories, clean/sterilize glassware and equipment.
- Clean laboratory facilities.
- Clean glassware and laboratory equipment.
- Perform administrative and related functions.
- Inventory control of equipment and consumables of equipment.
- Record keeping and updating of identified registers (registration book, samples referral, samples received, records of results, inventory of standards, reagents, chemicals, waste removal).
- Assist with invoicing of analyses.
- Comply with health and safety regulations, Mentoring of Laboratory Assistants.
Enquiries
Ms Xoliswa Tlali Tel No: (021) 809 1643
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 SLArecruit61@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 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. All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two preentry 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 shall be opened. Applications: Please submit your application before the closing date as late applications will not be considered. Do not submit duplicate applications. If applying for multiple posts, submit separate applications for each post. Due to high volumes, the Department will not acknowledge receipt of applications. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you have not heard from us within 3 months, please consider your application to be unsuccessful. Should, during any stage of the recruitment process, a moratorium be placed on the filling of posts or the Department is affected by any process such as, but not limited to, restructuring or reorganisation of posts, the Department reserves the right to cancel the recruitment process and readvertise the post at any time in the future. Important: DOA is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting representivity and affirmative action. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates. The Department reserves the right not to fill vacancies. By applying you consent to the collection and processing of your personal information for recruitment purposes. Shortlisted candidates will be required to be available for assessments and interviews at a date and time as determined by the Department. Shortlisted candidates will undergo personnel suitability checks, security vetting and reference checks (including social media profiles). Applications must declare any pending criminal, disciplinary or any other allegations or investigations. Successful candidates must pass security clearance, sign an employment contract, sign an annual performance agreement and disclose financial interests. All applicants are required to declare any conflict or perceived conflict of interest, to disclose memberships of Boards and directorships that they may be associated with. Failure to disclose relevant information may result in disqualification or termination.
Notes
EE Target: African Males and Females and Persons with disability.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Original Text
SALARY : R237 453 per annum (Level 05)
CENTRE : Western Cape: Stellenbosch
REQUIREMENTS : Applicant must be in possession of a Grade 12 certificate. Job Related Work Experience: Three (03) years appropriate experience. Job related knowledge:
Knowledge of Public Service and Departmental prescripts/ policies. Agricultural
Product Standards Act, Act 119 of 1990. Liquor Products Act, Act 60 of 1989.
Job related skills: Knowledge and application of the laboratory quality system.
Knowledge of work-related policies and procedures. Laboratory techniques and safety. Problem solving techniques. Effective communication. Provisioning
Administrative system (chemicals, equipment etc.). Data processing.
Applicable relevant analytical techniques. Effective managing of stores and ordering of miscellaneous stores. Use of relevant laboratory and office
equipment. Manual dexterity. Communication capabilities. Insight capabilities
in the application of quality assurance documentation. Accuracy, thoroughness and timeousness. Computer skills, application/usage of computer software.
Code 08 Drivers license. Alert and troubleshooting skills. Administrative and organisational skills. Language capabilities with regard to the understating of
quality system documentation. Planning skills. Self-developmental inclined,
Ability to work in a team. Training skills/give guidance. Willingness to work extended hours. Handling of hazardous chemicals.
DUTIES : Prepare samples and perform routine analysis for the determination of chemical residues / liquor products composition components (quality control):
Labelling of samples. Collecting/taking samples for preparation (fruits, vegetables and or other agricultural products). Preparations of sample material
by weighing, drying, cutting etc. Preparation of stains, buffets and reagents.
Visual inspection and collection of infected material if possible. Perform extractions and basic analyses of samples. Record analyses results. Storage
of samples. Packing and / or transport samples. Assist in decontamination and disposal of used samples. Removal of waste. Perform basic maintenance on
selected equipment and instrumentation. Report all faulty equipment and instrumentation. Perform verification and calibration on selected equipment
and instrumentation. Maintain tidiness of laboratories, clean/sterilize glassware and equipment. Clean laboratory facilities. Clean glassware and laboratory
equipment. Perform administrative and related functions. Inventory control of equipment and consumables of equipment. Record keeping and updating of
identified registers (registration book, samples referral, samples received, records of results, inventory of standards, reagents, chemicals, waste
removal). Assist with invoicing of analyses. Comply with health and safety regulations, Mentoring of Laboratory Assistants.
ENQUIRIES : Ms Xoliswa Tlali Tel No: (021) 809 1643
APPLICATIONS : Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 or by email
SLArecruit61@nda.gov.za
NOTE : EE Target: African Males and Females and Persons with disability.
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 26 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.