DIESEL MECHANIC: GOUGH ISLAND is a South African government vacancy at Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). This job is part of Circular 21 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Gough Island | closing date: 06 July 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Salary
R487 197 per annum, (plus 37% in lieu of Service Benefits)
Centre
Gough Island
Requirements
- A National NTC 3 certificate or equivalent qualification in related field, with a minimum of three years post trade experience.
- Competency in diesel engine and generator maintenance, diagnostics, repairs and overhaul, with knowledge of engine management systems, experience in operating electronic diagnostic tools as well as the ability to interpret results.
- The candidate must be familiar with good workshop practices, correct use of basic workshop tools and an understanding of current work, health and safety policies.
- The incumbent must be computer literate, have good verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work in a team.
- It would be an advantage if there is experience on earthmoving and material handling equipment.
Duties
- The incumbent will be responsible for maintenance and operation of the power generators and related equipment.
- Maintenance and repairs of airconditioning, refrigeration, water reticulation and wastewater systems.
- Replacement and repair of mechanical pumps and valves as well as pipe fitting.
- Maintenance and all repairs of forklift, telescopic cranes, portable generators and transfer pumps.
- Operate forklift and cargo handling equipment.
- Maintenance of field huts and field equipment.
- The incumbent will report to the base engineer and will be part of the technical team, led by the base engineer, which must perform any additional base-related technical functions.
- Prepare monthly and annual reports, do stock-takes to order spares and equipment and do other common “non-technical” duties performed by expedition members.
Enquiries
Mr Willem Boshoff Tel No: (021) 493 7379
Applications
Where to send your application.
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 your 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; Creditworthiness; 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-preentryprogramme.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 the technical exercise of 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 a performance agreement and an 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.
Notes
The incumbent will execute duties at a Sub/Antarctic Base and adhere to the health, safety and environmental requirements. The successful applicant will spend a full year (September 2026 to October 2027 at Gough Island. There is no option to return to South Africa before October 2027. The ability to work and live with small groups of people is thus essential. Although the base is wellequipped with e-mail, fax and satellite telephone facilities, the applicant must be self-sufficient and self-motivated. The location may affect both the physical and mental well-being of the incumbent, their family and close relationships. Candidates must be physically fit, mentally strong and prepared for physically challenging and satisfying work. In addition, the successful candidates may often be called upon to work long hours in extreme conditions on duties unrelated to their function. Short-listed candidates will be subjected to screening and security vetting to determine their suitability for employment. Appointment to these positions is subject to a rigorous medical examination as well as psychometric assessment, which will be arranged for at no cost to the applicants.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Original Text
SALARY : R487 197 per annum, (plus 37% in lieu of Service Benefits)
CENTRE : Gough Island
REQUIREMENTS : A National NTC 3 certificate or equivalent qualification in related field, with a minimum of three years post trade experience. Competency in diesel engine
and generator maintenance, diagnostics, repairs and overhaul, with knowledge of engine management systems, experience in operating electronic diagnostic
tools as well as the ability to interpret results. The candidate must be familiar with good workshop practices, correct use of basic workshop tools and an
understanding of current work, health and safety policies. The incumbent must be computer literate, have good verbal and written communication skills and
the ability to work in a team. It would be an advantage if there is experience on earthmoving and material handling equipment.
DUTIES : The incumbent will be responsible for maintenance and operation of the power generators and related equipment. Maintenance and repairs of airconditioning, refrigeration, water reticulation and wastewater systems.
Replacement and repair of mechanical pumps and valves as well as pipe fitting. Maintenance and all repairs of forklift, telescopic cranes, portable
generators and transfer pumps. Operate forklift and cargo handling equipment.
Maintenance of field huts and field equipment. The incumbent will report to the base engineer and will be part of the technical team, led by the base engineer,
which must perform any additional base-related technical functions. Prepare monthly and annual reports, do stock-takes to order spares and equipment and
do other common “non-technical” duties performed by expedition members.
ENQUIRIES : Mr Willem Boshoff Tel No: (021) 493 7379
APPLICATIONS : Recruitmentcoastal@dffe.gov.za
NOTE : The incumbent will execute duties at a Sub/Antarctic Base and adhere to the health, safety and environmental requirements. The successful applicant will
spend a full year (September 2026 to October 2027 at Gough Island. There is no option to return to South Africa before October 2027. The ability to work and
live with small groups of people is thus essential. Although the base is wellequipped with e-mail, fax and satellite telephone facilities, the applicant must be self-sufficient and self-motivated. The location may affect both the physical
and mental well-being of the incumbent, their family and close relationships.
Candidates must be physically fit, mentally strong and prepared for physically challenging and satisfying work. In addition, the successful candidates may
often be called upon to work long hours in extreme conditions on duties unrelated to their function. Short-listed candidates will be subjected to
screening and security vetting to determine their suitability for employment.
Appointment to these positions is subject to a rigorous medical examination as well as psychometric assessment, which will be arranged for at no cost to the
applicants.
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.