Forestry, Fisheries And The Environment Environmental Officer Specialised Production: Licensing Vacancy 2026

Opportunity Overview

The National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is inviting applications for an Environmental Officer position, specialising in Production and Licensing. This role is based in Pretoria and offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to environmental management in South Africa.

This is a key position focused on processing and managing waste management licences, registrations, and exclusion authorisations. The successful candidate will play a vital part in ensuring compliance with environmental policies and legislation, making a tangible difference to the country's environmental protection efforts.

Minimum Requirements

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Education: An appropriate Honours degree (NQF8) in Natural/Environmental Sciences or a relevant qualification as recognised by SAQA.
• Experience: A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in the relevant environmental field.
• Knowledge:
• Environmental policies, legislation, and regulation development, including waste and pollution policies.
• Licensing processes and the National Waste Management Strategy.
• Registration processes in terms of National Norms and Standards for Waste.
• EIA regulations and Waste Information Regulations.
• Skills:
• Ability to apply environmental policies effectively.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to lead a multidisciplinary team.
• Good interpersonal relations skills.
• Ability to work under extreme pressure.
• Conflict management and resolution skills.
• Ability to organise and plan effectively under pressure.
• Ability to collect and interpret information and reports.

Key Responsibilities

The Environmental Officer will be responsible for a range of critical duties, including:

• Processing and managing waste management licences and associated applications, registrations, and exclusion authorisations.
• Ensuring that licences, associated decisions, exclusion authorisations, and registrations are uploaded to the EDMS, SAWIC, and other designated platforms.
• Reporting on the performance of the directorate.
• Screening licence applications, registration requests in terms of National Norms and Standards, and exclusion applications.
• Maintaining comprehensive records of all registration requests, exclusions, licence applications, and associated reports.
• Maintaining records of decisions and correspondence related to the licensing system.
• Supporting the directorate in implementing Standard Operating Procedures for managing applications.
• Managing schedules for reviews, site visits, Monitoring Committee Meetings, pre-application meetings, PAIA requests, and 24G Fine Committee meetings.
• Developing and implementing tracking tools for waste applications.

How to Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted online.

• Online Portal: Visit the e-recruitment portal at: https://erecruitment.environment.gov.za/
• Complete Z83: Ensure all sections on the online Z83 form are fully completed.
• Attach CV: Attach a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) that includes at least three (3) contactable references.
• Important Note: Failure to complete or disclose all required information will automatically disqualify the applicant.
• Foreign Qualifications: If you possess foreign qualifications, it is your responsibility to have them evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Application Deadline: 24 August 2026. No late applications will be accepted.