Environmental Practitioner at Zutari

Introduction to the role

• The successful candidate will play a key role in helping Zutari to make an engineered impact. The successful candidate must be a self-starter and team player who can work under pressure whilst maintaining attention to detail, cost, and quality controls. The successful candidate will be responsible for the management and implementation of a range of projects or substantial tasks within broader projects. In fulfilling this responsibility, the candidate will be responsible for assisting clients to manage and mitigate their environmental and social statutory risk through providing advice and preparing regulatory impact assessment reports to obtain approval for new developments or demonstrate compliance with already permitted projects.
• The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of project management (methodology, proposal/ report compilation, budget control, timely completing of project, presentation skills etc.), and have the ability to network with clients, problem solve where appropriate, work as part of a team, an independently. Expertise in public and stakeholder participation, authority consultation, and project administration is also required. The candidate will report on a project-to-project basis to a manager.

Minimum requirements, and role responsibilities

• Recognized Hons or Master’s degree in Environmental Science/ Management.
• EAPASA registered (proof must be provided).
• Minimum 8+ years relevant working experience in an environmental consultancy environment where the candidate has acted in a lead role in at least (2) two Full Scoping/Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and at least (5) five Basic Assessments of a project.
• Must be able to proactively define and articulate environmental impacts through well-written screening studies, Basic Assessment Reports, Scoping Reports, Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and EMPRs. Experience in environmental compliance auditing, environmental control officer responsibilities and compilation of Water Use License Applications and e-WULAAS system is considered an advantage. Advanced knowledge of relevant environmental policies, legislation, regulations, guidelines and standards must be demonstrated.
• Must be able to manage projects or components of projects, take responsibility for resource allocation, liaise with clients, specialists, stakeholders and authorities, manage quality assurance/client feedback and ensure he/she meets budgetary, quality, safety and timeframe targets, while exceeding client expectations.
• Must have worked on projects across various sectors within South Africa and preferably the Western Cape. Experience with public sector infrastructure development (WWTW, bulk water services, pipelines, transportation developments and road upgrades) is essential.
• Must have a working understanding of the linkages and feedback loops between the environmental and planning issues and other non-E&P issues, such as engineering, economic, social, political etc.
• Must be fully conversant in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Experience with graphics software as tools, such as Geographic Information Systems and Power BI, to communicate project findings is considered an advantage.
• Must have a proven ability to manage project finances.
• Must have the ability to source new work and demonstrate experience in developing and compiling technical and financial proposals for screening studies, Basic Assessments, Scoping & EIA and Amendment Applications, amongst other.
• Proven experience in managing and coordinating specialists and quality review of specialist study reports.
• Must have excellent communication and report writing skills and be confident to liaise with clients, stakeholders, and authorities. Fluency in English (reading, writing and speaking) is required. Competency in other African languages is considered an advantage.
• LinkedIn profile fully populated and kept up to date.
• Applicants must be willing to travel and have a driver’s licence.