Senior Specialist: Catchment Management & Water Quality

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant degree in one of the following: Natural Sciences, Environmental Management, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Engineering or closely related disciplines/programmes NQF level 7;
• 5 to 7 years' experience in the water resource field, ecology, surface and ground water quality management, Catchment management or similar disciplines;
• Experience in town planning procedures, water engineering and environmental engineering would be an advantage.

Primary Function

• To design, manage and implement surface and ground water monitoring programmes in order to promote best practice water quality management, the protection of water resources and improved environmental quality within the City, and to provide specialist professional input concerning water quality issues related to projects, programmes and rehabilitation initiatives for Johannesburg's catchments. To ensure the protection of water resources through compliance and enforcement in terms of relevant legislation.

Key Performance Areas

• Design, manage and implement surface and groundwater monitoring programmes within the City's catchments;
• Interpret and evaluate laboratory results and circulate to stakeholders;
• Oversee water sampling, coordinate training of samplers, and provide feedback on water quality results to all those concerned with taking or delivering water sampled from rivers or impoundments within the City;
• Implement and maintain a database of water quality results;
• Co-ordinate the activities of the Council in respect of Catchment Management, Water Quality Management and Agencies and Forums;
• Oversee the development and implementation of reporting of water quality trends and issues to internal and external stakeholders;
• Initiate and implement awareness programmes related to water quality, catchment management and River Health;
• Provide water quality input into the State of the Rivers report & State of the Environment Report;
• Provide specialist input in respect of water quality issues relating to Environmental Impact Assessment, projects, and development proposals within the City in order to minimise negative impacts and promote the application of best practice approaches;
• Liaise with the National and Provincial Governments in respect of legislative issues relating to water management of catchments and riparian zones;
• Formulation of policies and strategies relating to best practice in Catchment Management, protection and rehabilitation;
• Participate in projects and programmes for the improvement of River Health and the management of water resources within the City;
• Investigate complaints relating to water quality or water pollution;
• Monitor compliance with license conditions in respect of final effluents being discharged into the catchments/rivers, as negotiated with the DWS

Leading Competencies

• Financial Management;
• Project Management;
• Risk Management;
• Policy Development;
• Stakeholder Management;
• Computer literacy MS Office Packages, including Word, Excel;
• Good written and oral communication skills in English, and must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with other stakeholders;
• Attention to detail and high levels of accuracy, and excellent planning, organising, coordinating, and time management skills.

Core Competencies

• Knowledge and understanding of environmental issues and relevant legislation;
• Collaborative/Teamwork, Values and Integrity, Attention to detail, and quality-focused;
• Customer and Service Delivery Management Batho Pele Ethics, Professionalism;
• Impact and Influence according to the City's protocols, legislation, and standards.