Forestry, Fisheries and The Environment Assistant Director: Forest Land Management Vacancy 2026

Opportunity Overview

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and The Environment is offering an opportunity for an Assistant Director in Forest Land Management. This role is based in Pretoria and is central to the department's mandate of managing state forest land effectively and efficiently.

This position involves a range of responsibilities focused on the administration, legal compliance, and stakeholder engagement related to state-owned forest land. It's an opportunity for a skilled professional to contribute directly to the stewardship of South Africa's natural resources and land governance.

Minimum Requirements

• National Diploma (NQF 6) in Forestry / Natural Sciences or an equivalent qualification recognized by SAQA.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in Forestry or a related field.
• Knowledge of the National Forests Act, 1998 (Act No 84 of 1998) (NFA) and the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998 (Act No 101 of 1998) (NVFFA), Protected Areas, NEMA, and NEMBA.
• Understanding of Public Finance Regulations and Public Service Regulations.
• Knowledge of the Forestry and Environmental Management Sector.
• Knowledge of enumeration for collection of data.
• Experience in Project and Programme Management.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and computer literacy.
• Strong report writing, leadership, planning, and organizing skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, with a team, and voluntarily for long hours.
• Capability to gather and analyse information, develop and apply policies.
• Ability to work with difficult people and resolve conflicts.
• Good interpersonal relations skills and creativity.
• A valid driving license and willingness to travel.
• All shortlisted candidates will undertake two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise to determine suitability based on technical and generic requirements, and an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide state forest land management services.
• Update and record changes on the land register for State Forest Land.
• Release land no longer needed for forestry purposes.
• Evaluate applications for public works developments, servitudes, cessions, and other real rights on released state forest land.
• Establish and manage the land register.
• Facilitate registration of leases against title deeds.
• Provide support in the negotiations of terms and conditions for lease agreements.
• Develop specification terms for leases.
• Draft lease agreements and obtain legal opinions from legal services.
• Facilitate the signing of leases.
• Manage land reform issues affecting state forest land.
• Liaise and mediate disputes regarding land boundaries, land use, and access to state forest land.
• Liaise with other stakeholders regarding land issues.
• Manage the collection/calculation of rentals.
• Monitor forest lease and third-party agreements.
• Establish and implement systems for monitoring.
• Identify areas of non-compliance.
• Develop interventions to address any deviations.

What the Work Involves

Working as an Assistant Director in Forest Land Management, you will be based in Pretoria and focus on the practical administration and strategic oversight of state-owned forest land. Your day-to-day work will involve meticulous record-keeping, updating land registers, and processing various applications related to land use and development.

You will be instrumental in facilitating legal agreements, drafting leases, and ensuring compliance with relevant acts such as the National Forests Act. A key part of the role includes engaging with a range of stakeholders, including Public Works, Public Enterprise, and Rural Development and Land Reform, to resolve land-related disputes and mediate on access and boundary issues. The work also requires consistent monitoring of existing agreements and developing solutions for any identified non-compliance, often involving travel to various sites.