Job Description

To provide specialist environmental, Alien Invasive plants, biodiversity and ecological management, work and reporting on the Vaal Barrage River and Vaal Orange River Systems. This includes specialist technical input with monitoring and control, addressing clients and stakeholder matters, resulting in improved ecological outputs and relationships. Manage and co-ordinate interventions aimed at ensuring compliance with amongst others, NWA (Specifically Section 39), NEMBA and CARA legislations and to Protect all environmental aspects of projects. Stakeholder management is crucial to addressing to ensure compliance and successful project execution.
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 DutiesPRIMARY 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.

Skills

• Sound finance management.
• Sound administrative ability.
• Sound Best Practice skills.
• Quick learner able to create and apply ideas.
• Manage multiple relationships
• Manage multiple project types simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal, negotiation and adaptability skills
• Able to lead a team.

Attitude

• Customer service
• Innovative
• Team Player
• Professional
• Self-motivated
• Practical
• Creative
• Very organised
• Focussed on service delivery

Rand Water