Chief Technician

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is a Section 3(a) public entity under the Ministry of

Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) and is governed by a Board. The organisation is an

authoritative voice for weather and climate related services in South Africa and is a member of the

World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to fulfil a range of international obligations of the

government. SAWS strives to be a Weather and Climate Centre of Excellence providing innovative

solutions to ensure a weather-smart region, sustainable development and economic growth. SAWS is

therefore seeking to appoint an efficient and enthusiastic person to undertake the role of:
**Chief Technician**

**Total salary package: Negotiable**

**(Ref.WS08/032023)**

**Centre: Centurion**

**Job Summary**:
This position is responsible for the operation, maintenance, development, improvement and

expansion of the national ambient air quality monitoring infrastructure and other peripheral

equipment of the South African Weather Service to meet the SAWS-DFFE MoU and

requirements of the 2017 National Framework for Air Quality Management in the Republic of

South Africa.

**Responsibilities**:

- Maintenance and improvement of existing infrastructure and

development/expansion of air quality monitoring networks.
- Electronic, electrical and mechanical maintenance of the country wide air quality

monitoring infrastructure on a continuous 24 hours per day, 365 days a year basis.
- Ensure data transmission and accuracy of data from the ambient air quality

monitoring infrastructure.
- Perform equipment maintenance procedures as per schedule or when required so as

to limit down time of infrastructure to a minimum.
- Assembly and installation of monitoring systems and associated peripheral equipment

according to prescribed guidelines installation manuals.
- Perform major and minor repairs to monitoring equipment as and when required.
- Problem solving and other routine functions pertaining to the monitoring

infrastructure.
- Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reporting on the availability and quality

of data from the monitoring network in line with applicable SOPS and templates.
- Interaction with technical staff in the SAWS Regional and Head offices in technical as

well as scientific and ICT fields.
- Strict adherence to/implementation of national and internationally prescribed

standards and SOPs in respect of the air quality monitoring infrastructure

maintenance and data management and reporting.
- Provision of technical support to remote locations (Background stations and Regional

offices).
- Provide guidance to and assist junior staff in the solving of problems, scheduled tasks,

and other routine functions pertaining to the monitoring infrastructure.
- Ensure that the requirements for preventative and corrective maintenance as well as

infrastructure recapitalization are estimated, motivated for and communicated to

management and included in Departmental budgets.
- Maintain good/productive stakeholder and client relationships and ensure > 80%

client satisfaction.
- Assist with the management and implementation of the Regional Centers for air

quality and meteorological monitoring.
- Ensure adherence to ISO 9001 and ISO 17025.
- Keep abreast of the latest developments in ambient air quality monitoring

technologies and techniques.
- Ability to work independently to solve problems, and perform tasks and other routine

functions pertaining to the monitoring infrastructure.
- Contribute to the strategic direction and business plan of the South African Weather

Service, and pay special attention to targets, transformation and recapitalization.
- Act as a mentor to junior staff and provide support to the Regional offices and remote

locations.
- Manage air quality workshop and the job card system.
- Ensure equipment and consumables are purchased timeously and maintain operating

stock.
- Ensure project expenditure within time and budget.

**Minimum Requirements**:

- A 4-year qualification related to Electronic or Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry

or Environmental Management.
- Minimum of 4 years’ experience in ambient air quality monitoring or other

environmental monitoring that involved equipment/instrument commissioning

(including siting), instrument operation, maintenance, calibration, repair and data

transmission.
- Advanced or expert skills in ambient air quality monitoring instrument operation,

maintenance and repair.
- Advanced knowledge of ambient air quality monitoring instruments and measurement

technics.
- Good knowledge of computer and information systems as well as database

management systems.
- Knowledge of air quality legislation, laboratory quality systems, monitoring equipment

maintenance and repair.
- Code 8 driver’s license for a gear shift vehicle (manual).
- Ability to work under pressure and within time constraints.
- Ability and willingness to work over-time (weekends includ