Site Environmental Officer - Northern Cape

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

ENVIRONMENT:

Our client supports and advances research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities, and science outreach platforms and Programmes for the broader community across all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. They are seeking a Site Environmental Officer to join the Site Management Team, reporting to the Site Environment Specialist. This full-time role will be based at the project site, located 85km outside the town of Carnarvon in the Northern Cape. The Site Environmental Officer will be responsible for implementing the project’s Integrated Environmental Management Plan (EMP), ensuring adherence to the project-specific Environmental Management Plan, and monitoring compliance with Contractor Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and all construction license requirements throughout the construction and operational phases.

DUTIES:

• Ensuring contractor compliance with their Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), the project's Integrated Environmental Management Plan (EMP), the project-specific Environmental Management Plan, and all construction licenses.
• Conducting and documenting regular environmental inspections, monitoring, and audits.
• Conducting ongoing environmental training, reporting, and maintaining the environmental aspect/incident report log and complaints register.
• Coordinating environmental matters with internal project teams, contractors, stakeholder organizations, authorities, and other relevant parties as required.
• Monitoring and tracking corrective actions to ensure the timely closeout of findings, non-compliances, and incidents.
• Providing support to the Site Environment Specialist in compliance reporting to relevant stakeholder organizations and authorities.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualification:

• A recognised National Diploma in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, or equivalent, with a minimum of 3 years of experience on a construction site.
• Registration or eligibility for registration with SACNASP or EAPASA is advantageous.

Experience:

• Proven knowledge of the National Environmental Management Act, the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, and other construction-related environmental regulations.
• Proven knowledge and practical experience in implementing environmental management plans (EMP/EMPr) during construction.
• Proven knowledge of environmental aspect Hazard Identification and Risk Management Processes.
• Sound knowledge of environmental incident investigation processes and their causation phenomena.
• Training in Environmental Auditing and inspection.
• Experience in building strong people relationships, applying general management practices, and managing contractor environmental teams.
• A valid driver's licence.
• Ability and willingness to travel between various Northern Cape locations and to reside on-site on a permanent basis.

Knowledge:

• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Familiarity with the formalism and requirements of quality control environments such as ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001.
• Knowledge of South African construction industry legislation and regulations pertaining to Environment, Health, Safety, and Construction.
• A proven track record in working with contractors on construction sites.
• Knowledge of Environmental Risk Management and Quality Management principles.
• Knowledge and experience of environmental auditing as per ISO 14001 standards.

Additional Notes:

Competency - Essential:

• Inspections, Audits, and excellent report writing skills, including the use of relevant software platforms.
• Competency in using mapping tools such as Google Earth.
• Competency in basic environmental monitoring (e.g., Waste, water, erosion, heritage).
• Practical experience in ensuring construction site environmental compliance.

Competency - Desirable:

• Understanding of sustainability initiatives (energy, waste, water efficiency).
• Knowledge of biodiversity, ecology, and natural resource management principles.

Skills:

• Ability to solve problems and resolve conflict.
• Ability to provide practical and pragmatic solutions.
• Ability to operate independently and within a team under pressure.
• Self-motivating with a positive attitude.
• Ability to learn new software packages used during construction.