Environmental Specialist Vaal River Barrage Systems (3 Years Fixed Term Contract) at Rand Water

Minimum Requirements

• Degree in Natural/Environmental/Biological Sciences (includes botany and Zoology) or equivalent qualification within the related field plus 3-4 years appropriate experience
• Honours degree in botany, aquatic flora, biocontrol, zoology with 2-3 years relevant experience.
• MSc on botany with knowledge of macrophytes with 2 years experience
• Demonstration of leadership, business management skills and supervision.
• Excellent computer literacy & practice in MS word, Excel, Power point (Office).
• Excellent communication skills: able to research and write articles, create presentations and able to speak publicly.
• A valid code EB driver's licence (code 8).
• Valid skippers licence-category R.
• The position requires extensive working in the field, including amongst others project management, monitoring, gathering data, reporting and client/stakeholder liaison.
• Desirable -Knowledge in, education training, microclimates, rehabilitation, ecology/environment (eg. Water cycle), biodiversity, AI species management (integrated management) and basic environmental law. Basic to intermediate knowledge of GIS/GPS and Map reading. SAP systems

Primary Duties

• Project management of all official and unofficial projects relating to this work. Completion of projects as required and within set time & budget constraints.
• Monitor research and where required undertake desktop research.
• Provide technical advice and specialist service throughout the fields of Alien Invasive Plant management, water quality (based of reports received), biocontrol and other related technical fields.
• Effective budget and financial management of the main and sub projects, and work.
• Develop a range of appropriate educational material and opportunities aimed at stakeholders along the Vaal River Barrage.
• To comply with all legislative aspects related to the General Authorisation (GA), NEMBA, Act 36 of 1947, including SHE Acts/regulations in managing projects/work effectively.
• Able to work across a broad range of stakeholders to arrange meetings, address concerns, obtain buy-in, provide information and support.
• Must be able to implement and manage (practically) physical removal, biocontrol, chemical application and curtaining of Alien Invasive Plant species on the Vaal River Barrage.
• Assessment of the current Vaal Orange Strategy for the control of Alien Invasive Plant species (AIP) and assist in producing a new revised strategy with input from a range of specialists and stakeholders.
• Effective gathering, storing and processing of data for all work done for the project.
• Provide information on improved methods of physical, biocontrol and chemical application for AIP management.
• All administrative duties linked to the project and execution of the project for the Vaal Orange.
• Assist with limited biodiversity monitoring.
• Assist with advice and implementation of rehabilitation of disturbed areas where required.
• Coordinate and assist in developing a strategic plan for the AIPs of the Vaal Orange system.

Knowledge

• Biodiversity compliance.
• Legislation e.g. NEMBA, NWA, CARA etc.
• Biocontrol management.
• Methods of physical control, chemical control of AIPs
• Biocontrol of macrophyte AIPs
• Project management.