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Requirements

A Science Degree (BSc Hons) in Hydrology, Water Resources Management, Environmental Science or relevant natural science qualification.

Three (3) years post-qualification scientific experience in hydrological modelling, water balance assessments, reconciliation studies or allocation planning.

Compulsory registration with SACNASP as a Professional Natural Scientist.

The disclosure of a valid unexpired driver’s license.

Knowledge of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998), including provisions relating to water use authorization, allocation reform, stream-flow reduction activities and integrated water resource management.

Sound understanding of drought management principles and climate variability impacts on water systems.

Demonstrated quantitative modelling and analytical capability with the ability to develop and maintain decision-support tools.

Knowledge of national water resource information systems will be advantageous.

Strong reporting and organizational skills.

Ability and willingness to travel frequently within the Water Management Area and conduct field investigations.

Duties

Undertake hydrological and allocation modelling to support reconciliation strategies, allocation reform and catchment resilience planning.

Conduct water balance and yield analyses to assess system performance, abstraction pressures and allocation risk under variable climatic conditions.

Maintain and quality-assure hydrological datasets, water-use information, and decision- support tools to strengthen allocation governance and planning integrity.

Conduct site verification visits and field investigations to validate modelling assumptions, assess abstraction impacts and confirm system conditions.

Provide technical inputs during pollution incidents on flow regimes, dilution capacity, and downstream system vulnerability.

Review and comment on environmental submissions, including Scoping Reports and Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, with a specific focus on hydrological impacts, cumulative abstraction, water availability, streamflow reduction and infrastructure implications.

Provide technical inputs into licensing and allocation processes, including assessment of water availability and system sustainability.

Provide evidence-based scientific support to compliance directorates on quantity-related matters where required.

Contribute to the technical development of the Catchment Management Strategy and work collaboratively across quantity and quality functions to address cross-cutting water resource management challenges.

Ensure scientific integrity and documentation of modelling methodologies and datasets.

Engage in 126 stakeholder and technical forums to communicate scientific findings and promote integrated catchment management.

How to apply

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Notes

The Pongola-Umzimkulu Catchment Management Agency is a Public Water Resource Management Agency, established in line with the provisions of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act no 36 of 1998) (NWA) and National Water Policy for South Africa.

It is an entity of the National Department of Water and Sanitation.

Employees appointed in the CMA have similar employment terms and conditions as those of employees appointed in terms of the Public Service Act, though not employed in terms of the Public Service Act.