SOUTH AFRICAN FORESTRY COMPANY (SAFCOL)

SENIOR DRIVER OPERATOR: HARVESTER X2 

Status: Permanent

Location: Mechanised Harvesting 

Grade: B4 

Reporting line: Senior Forester: Harvesting 

Role Mandate 

Operate a Harvester machine on a shift basis within high-production harvesting environments (clear-fell and thinning operations) across various plantations, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production 

Key Accountabilities 

·       Comply with all applicable Harvesting Best Operating Practices (BOP), forest management procedures, and company standards 

·       Operate a harvester machine accordance with the approved harvesting operational plan 

·       Achieve and maintain planned shift production targets consistently 

·       Operate machinery at optimal speeds to maximize productivity while minimizing operational costs 

·       Maintain high operational quality standards to prevent tree damage and product mixing 

·       Perform harvester head calibration as prescribed by management to ensure log quality compliance 

·       Perform daily preventative maintenance, including: greasing and completion of preventative maintenance checklists 

·       Conduct weekly servicing in accordance with company standards and maintenance schedules

·       Identify, report, assist with fault findings, breakdowns and planned maintenance activities 

·       Attend to minor breakdowns and record all actions taken 

·       Strictly adhere to safety standards, environmental practices, and procedures at all times

·       Complete all required documentation accurately, including: daily Production Asset Card (DPAC), equipment checklists and mechanised harvesting production sheets 

·       Perform ad-hoc duties as assigned by management 

Minimum Requirements 

·       Grade 8 

·       2-3 Years’ experience in forest operations 

·       Harvester Machine certificate 

·       Previous experience in both thinning and clear-felling operations will be an added advantage 

·       Mechanical background will be an added advantage 

Technical Competencies 

·       Computer literacy and smart device proficiency 

·       Numeracy

·       Decision making 

·       Good hand-eye coordination 

·       Production orientated 

·       Safety management 

·       Harvesting operations Knowledge 

Behavioural Competencies 

·       Production orientated 

·       Ability to work in an adverse condition 

·       Self-motivated

·       Reliable

·       Ability to Work independently 

·       Ability to Work under pressure 

·       Communication skills 

SAFCOL Group is an equal opportunity company with the focus on gender equality and people with disabilities. 

Employment Equity will be taken into consideration in terms of all appointments within SAFCOL. 

By submitting your Application form to SAFCOL, you hereby give permission to circulate your information to the interview panel members for this vacancy only. Your information will not be used for any other position/purpose and will be disregarded after an offer has been made. 

Interested qualified individuals can e-mail an application form and must submit relevant copies of qualifications in confidence 

Mr. Obert Mashabane, Human Capital Practitioner, obertrecruitment@safcol.co.za

Tel no: 013 754 2700 

Closing date: 15 October 2026 

Should you not have received a response within 30 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.