FREE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT VACANCIES

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NOTE : Applications must be submitted on form Z.83, obtainable from any Public Service Department. Only shortlisted candidates will submit transcript of results, Qualification certificates, driver's license, identity document and a C.V. Shortlisted candidates who possess foreign qualifications and/or short courses certificates must take it upon themselves to have their qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and must please attach proof of the level of their qualifications after evaluation on all applications. Applicants are requested to complete the Z83 form properly and in full. Applications received after the closing date and those that do not comply with these instructions will not be considered. The onus is on the applicants to ensure that their applications are posted or hand delivered timeously. Applicants are respectfully informed that if no notification of appointment is received within 4 months of the closing date, they must accept that their application was unsuccessful. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record check, citizenship verification, financial / asset record check, qualification / study verification and previous employment verification). Successful candidates will also be subjected to security clearance processes. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment (in compliance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency based assessments). The competency assessment will be testing generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools. 
 
 
 

​OTHER POSTS
 
 
STATE VETERINARIAN REF NO: SV (X2 POSTS) 
SALARY : R896 436 per annum (Level 11). The remuneration package consists of the basic salary, the Government's contribution to the Government Employee Pension Fund and flexible portion, which may be structured in terms of the rules for the structuring of the flexible portion and which may include a 13th cheque, motor car allowance, home owner's allowance and medical aid assistance 
CENTRE : Kroonstad Veterinary Laboratory and Welkom State VET Office 
 
REQUIREMENTS : BVSc Degree or equivalent Qualification recognised by the South African Veterinary Council. Registration with the South African Veterinary Council. Valid driver’s licence (code B). 1-2 years post qualification experience. 
 
DUTIES : Develop, analyse and audit policies, norms, standards and legislation for Veterinary Services, which would, inter alia, entail the following: Scan local and international environment to inform policy needs, updates and impact; Collection of data and stakeholder consultation; Compile and provide inputs for policy development, norms and standards; Dissemination, implementation and auditing of policies, norms and standards. Render Veterinary Services through the implementation of the relevant legislation, which would, inter alia, entail the following: Plan, implement, maintain and coordinate disease surveillance measures (e.g. Early warning systems), identify controlled and non-controlled diseases and take appropriate corrective actions; Management of animals identification and traceability; Issuing of permits and health certificates for the movement of animals across borders / diseases free and infected zones; Identification of prevalent animal diseases, development and implementation of appropriate intervention strategies (e.g. Primary Health Care); Design and implementation of herd health programs to promote productivity of livestock; Implement disease surveillance and other epidemiologic studies; Facilitate the development of a practical Early Warning System for all relevant diseases including disease modelling, simulation and scenario mappings; Contribute to the development of emergency diseases control preparedness systems; Liaising with the public, animal owners, organized agriculture and international organizations on the prevention and treatment of diseases; Manage and control the importation and exportation of animals and animal products; Implementation and management of the prescribed official veterinary management systems including the implementation of the National Monitoring Residue Program; Conduct veterinary risk assessments; Ensure that slaughter and other import/export facilities comply with the registration requirements with the relevant authorities; Performance of abattoir ante and post mortem inspections as required; Audit the hygiene management systems at the import / export establishment (e.g. Implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Hygiene Assessment System (HAS); Certification of products in accordance with International norms and standards; Management of meat inspection and disposal of condemned material in accordance with the relevant legislation; Identify illegal slaughter practices and take corrective action with assistance when necessary; Undertake post mortem, farm disease outbreak investigations and other examinations to identify causes of morbidity and mortality; Implement new procedures techniques and / or equipment to ensure that an efficient and effective Veterinary Diagnostic and Research service is rendered; Ensure animal owners and para veterinary staff follow the correct procedures and methods to collect and dispatch samples; Inspect slaughter and sterilization facilities to ensure the maintenance of essential national hygiene standards; Evaluate safety, efficacy and quality of stock remedies registration dossier applications, imports permits, labels, advertisements and make recommendations. Provision of training, development and awareness programs (extension and outreach services) to communities with regards to Veterinary Services, which would include, inter alia, the following:- Determine needs of communities through liaison with community leaders and other stakeholders; Determine interventions required to address the needs; Plan, implement and coordinate the appropriate interventions; Render veterinary advice to stock farmers and animal owners with regard to prevention of animal diseases and promotion of animal health care; Provide support to other line functionaries, i.e. extension, engineering with regard to veterinary related issues. Perform administrative and related functions which would include, inter alia, the following: Provide inputs for the Operational Plan of the Veterinary unit; Comply with the Public Service prescripts; Comply with Financial Management prescripts; Contribute to the maintenance of databases; Compile and submit reports as required; Oversee and supervise the relevant staff i.e. Compulsory community service veterinarians. Keep abreast of National and international trends with regard to the applicable prescripts, policies, procedures, technologies and new developments to be able to render an efficient and effective Veterinary Service, through: Studying the Veterinary legal and policy frameworks continuously to enable optimum performance of the Veterinary functions according to the required standards; Studying professional journals, publications and attend relevant continuous professional development interventions to ensure that cognisance is taken of new developments and technologies. 
 
ENQUIRIES : Dr J J Barnard at 066 025 2229 
 
 
 
 
 
VETERINARY TECHNOLOGIST REF NO: VET (X2 POSTS) 
SALARY : R397 116 per annum (Level 08) 
CENTRE : Bloemfontein Veterinary Laboratory and Kroonstad Veterinary Laboratory 
 
REQUIREMENTS : National Diploma in Veterinary Technology. Registration with the South African Veterinary Council. Valid driver’s licence. 1 – 2 years’ experience post qualification. 
 
DUTIES : Render a Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostic service, which would, inter alia, entail the following: Receive, collect, register, and process specimens; Analyse and interpret laboratory diagnostic test readings; Use approved methods and techniques to carry out diagnostic tests. Review and verification of test results. Populate data bases (e.g. LIMS) to provide veterinary statistics for national and international planning, which would, inter alia, include the following: Generate, record, verify, manipulate and maintain diagnostic data; Report back on diagnostic and related data as and when required; Compile monthly and annual statistical reports. Keep up to date with regard to the applicable prescripts, policies, procedures, technologies and new developments to be able to render an efficient and effective Veterinary Diagnostic laboratory service. This would, inter alia, entail the following: Participate in compilation of SOP’s and implementation of approved SOP’s in accordance with applicable quality management system; Study professional journals and publications to ensure that cognisance is taken of new developments; Keep abreast of the latest developments in Veterinary Diagnostic technologies. To perform all administrative and related functions which would include, inter alia, the following: Supervise technical and related personnel and section budgets; Stock control of the relevant diagnostic section; Control and maintenance of laboratory equipment, including calibration; Ensure compliance with national prescriptions. 
 
ENQUIRIES : Dr H Bester-Cloete at 066 025 1955 
 
 
 
 
 
ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNICAN REF NO: AHT (X3 POSTS) 
SALARY : R397 116 per annum (Level 08) 
CENTRE : Xhariep District: Koffiefontein; Mangaung Metro: Botshabelo and Thabo Mofutsanyana District: Warden 
 
REQUIREMENTS : National Diploma in Animal Health. Registration with the SA Veterinary Council as Animal Health Technician. A valid driver’s licence Code 08 (EB). 1 – 2 years post-qualification experience. 
 
DUTIES : Plan and implement disease control measures, which would, inter alia, entail the following: Administer vaccinations for animal diseases (e.g. Rabies, Brucellocis, and Anthrax). Collect specimens, examine and dispatch samples with regard to animal diseases e.g. CA, Rabies, Sheep Scab and collection of census data regarding farm animals. Conduct inspections of livestock for the presence of notifiable diseases. Participate in campaigns and other activities aimed at eradicating the spread of animal diseases. Render a support service to the State Veterinarian with regard to animal disease control, reproduction advancement, sample collection and law enforcement, which would, inter alia, entail the following: Conducting inspections of animals, animal products, vaccine distribution points and installations where animal products are processed. Assisting the State Veterinarian with investigations relating to surveys, post mortems and animal diseases e.g. Sheep Scab and Rabies. Obtaining and processing of epidemiological and other data. Collection of samples for analysis by the State Veterinarian and laboratory. Enforce animal disease legislation at auctions, veterinary road blocks, border posts, etc. Provide extension services on animal health to animal owners, which would, inter alia, entail the following: Determine the needs of farmers, communities through liaison with them, Initiate meetings, gatherings and farmers days for the promotion of animal health and production. Do presentations at extension programs, farmers’ days, etc. Perform administrative and related functions which would entail the following: Populate databases and registers. Compile and submit monthly and quarterly reports. Provide inputs to the operational plan for Animal Health Unit. 
 
ENQUIRIES : Xhariep District: Ms M Dlanga at 072 711 1809 
Manguang Metro: Dr J J Barnard at 066 025 2229 
 
 
 
 
 
VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER REF NO: VPH (X1 POST) 
SALARY : R397 116 per annum (Level 08) 
CENTRE : Fezile Dabi District: Sasolburg 
 
REQUIREMENTS : Relevant National Diploma in Environmental Health / Animal Health / Veterinary Public Health. Registration with the relevant South African statutory board is recommended. Valid driver’s license (code EB). 1 – 2 years post-qualification experience. 
 
DUTIES : Ensure meat hygiene and food safety through inter alia: Monitor and inspect import and export products / animals and accompanying documentation to ensure that international standards are adhered to. Execute law enforcement in accordance with the Meat Safety Act. Abattoirs & sterilization plants: Auditing and monitoring abattoir hygiene through routine sampling and conducting of regular inspections. Making recommendations regarding the registration, upgrading and repair of existing facilities. Implementation and verification of the Hygiene Assessment System (HAS). Provide training to meat inspection staff, slaughter personnel and quality control officers. Ensure that game harvesting processes comply with national and international standards. Ensure legislative compliance through awareness campaigns, extension practices & law (to public, existing & proposed clients regarding food safety) through inter alia: Advise the public regarding informal slaughtering &exemptions; Determine slaughtering needs of communities and make recommendations; Assist with Departmental projects regard slaughtering of animals (culling); Provide training, technical assistance and health education to communities on food safety; Recommendations regarding the registration, upgrading and repair of existing facilities; Training of meat inspection staff, abattoir personnel and Food Safety Managers’ Serving of directives (reports, warning, notices, directives); Investigate and control illegal slaughtering in collaboration with the relevant authorities; Liaison with internal and external stake holders. Ensure compliance with legislation, national and international export requirement (individual export or district export facilities & international trade requirements) through inter alia: Auditing of export facilities for compliance (dairies, cutting plants, processing plants, sources for hides & skins, intermediate stores). Game harvesting – monitoring of harvesting procedures (compliance with local and international requirements. Collection of samples for surveillance projects of identified diseases in animal and animal products, i.e. BSE Sampling (Brain stem samples), bacteriological sampling (Water, effluent, surfaces, carcasses), Residue Sampling (Hormones, pesticides, Antibiotics). Perform administrative and related functions, which would, inter alia, entail the following: Collection of data, Populate database, Compile and submit monthly and quarterly reports, letters and notices. Provide inputs to the operational plan for veterinary public health. 
 
ENQUIRIES : Dr M Mundia at 066 025 4575 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LABORATORY ASSISTANT REF NO: LA (X2 POSTS) 
SALARY : R193 359 per annum (Level 04) 
CENTRE : Kroonstad Veterinary Laboratory 
REQUIREMENTS : Grade 12 or equivalent qualification. No experience needed. 
 
DUTIES : Prepare samples for the analysis and/or determination of causes of disease i.e. chemical residues, pH, EC, mycology etc. which would, inter alia, entail the following: Labelling of samples Collecting/taking samples for preparation (i.e. blood, water, soil, tissue). Preparation of sample material by e.g. weighing, drying, cutting etc. Preparation of media (ELIZA kits). Preparation and staining of smears. Preparation of stains, buffers and reagents. Storage of samples. Packing and/or transport samples. Assist in decontamination and disposal of used samples. Removal of waste. Perform routine analysis of samples under mentorship/supervision of senior personnel which would include inter alia the following: Visual inspection and collection of infected material if applicable. Perform extractions and basic analyses of samples. Perform bacterial isolations and confirmatory tests. Assist in routine identification of various types of pests/diseases (including bacteria, parasites etc.). Record analyses results. Perform basic maintenance on selected equipment and instrumentation. Report all faulty equipment and instrumentation. Maintain tidiness of laboratories, clean/sterilize glassware and equipment. Perform basic maintenance and control functions of animal production stock: Daily care of animals (i.e cleaning of water troughs and adding health treatments to feed). Moving animals between camps. Report unhealthy animals, mortalities and have post mortems done. Perform administrative and related functions, which would, inter alia, entail the following: Inventory control of equipment and consumables for equipment. Record keeping and updating of identified registers (i.e. Registration book, Sample referral; Samples received, records of results, inventory of standards, reagents and chemicals). Assist with invoicing of analyses. Comply with health and safety regulations. 
 
ENQUIRIES : Ms E Mokhobo at 073 581 9936