Forestry, Fisheries and The Environment Scientific Technician Production Grade A (Database Admin) Vacancy 2026

Opportunity Overview

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and The Environment is inviting applications for a Scientific Technician Production Grade A specialising in Database Administration. This role is based in Cape Town and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to environmental science through robust data management.

This position is critical for supporting the Marine Information Management System (MIMS) and the broader Oceans and Coast branch. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring scientific data related to marine processes and climate change is accurately managed, accessible, and reusable.

Minimum Requirements

• National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in science, or a relevant qualification within the related field as recognised by SAQA.
• Compulsory registration with SACNASP as a certificated natural scientist.
• At least three (3) years post-qualification technical (scientific) experience.
• Knowledge of Information Systems Engineering principles, scientific data formats, database design and entry.
• Experience with open-source database creation and management tools such as SQL.
• Proficiency in programming skills in at least one computing language, specifically Python or MATLAB.
• Basic knowledge of web development (HTML, PHP, or JavaScript) would be advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise professional judgment, conduct data analysis, and perform quality assessment and control.
• Possession of strong analytical and problem-solving skills, effective communication skills, and leadership qualities.
• Ability to take direction, demonstrate self-management, networking, planning, and organisational skills.
• Competence in conflict management and change management.

Key Responsibilities

• Transform data formats and perform routine operations on data.
• Maintain databases and distribute information through the Marine Information Management System (MIMS).
• Develop and customise operational software.
• Apply appropriate technical procedures and skills to generate information and knowledge.
• Compile reports and make recommendations.
• Routinely engage with research staff to identify needs and requirements.
• Provide technical support to research staff to promote data uploads on the MIMS.
• Provide technical support information and advice to organise scientific information to be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR).
• Adhere to international best practices in terms of metadata content and data format.
• Promote and advocate MIMS to stakeholders.
• Provide data management support to the Oceans and Coast branch to improve the monitoring of ocean processes and climate change.
• Support the digitisation of the Oceans and Coast historical dataset.
• Implement software to perform technical scientific functions and tasks.
• Design, develop, and maintain open-source databases for scientific data.
• Implement web-based tools for data visualisation and capture.
• Provide scientific support and advice.
• Access data from international data repositories and real-time systems.
• Maintain continuous professional development.

What the Work Involves

As a Scientific Technician specialising in Database Administration, you will be based in Cape Town, focusing on the critical management of scientific data. Your day-to-day tasks will involve transforming data formats, maintaining databases, and developing software to support the Marine Information Management System (MIMS). This includes ensuring the accuracy and accessibility of valuable scientific information, especially related to ocean processes and climate change around South Africa. You will regularly engage with research staff to understand their data needs, provide technical support for data uploads, and advise on organising information according to international best practices. This role will see you implementing and maintaining open-source databases, creating web-based tools for data visualisation, and contributing to the digitisation of historical datasets for the Oceans and Coast branch.