The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), is recruiting a SKA-mid site environmental officer on a long term contract, spanning for six years. The SKA-mid site environmental officer will work at its facility in Carnarvon, Northern Cape and will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of Contractor Environmental Management Plans (EMPrs) during construction and ensuring SKAO compliance during operations. In addition, the SKA-mid site environmental officer will be responsible for the environmental compliance and best practice involved with the construction, operation, and decommissioning phases of the SKA project, while reporting to the SKAO HSE manager.
Key Responsibilities
- Reporting directly to SKAO HSE Manager
- Responding to contractors’ environmental communications and escalating, where necessary, to the SKAO HSE Manager
- Will be required to reside in Carnarvon, and be based on the SKA site at Carnarvon in the Karoo, Northern Cape on a full-time basis
- Coordinating the efforts with site environmental procedures
- Maintaining surveillance and compliance with contractor EMPrs and the SKA Integrated Environmental Management Plan (IEMP)
- In liaison with NEC Supervisor/NEC Project Manager, monitoring environmental practice and compliance on site
- In liaison with NEC Supervisor/NEC Project Manager, receiving environmental incident and near-miss reports as required
- Completing a daily environmental incident log and complaints record sheet which are available for inspection at any time
- Notifying externally appointed Environmental Control Officer (ECO) of any incidents or complaints
- Notifying Contractor EOs of any serious environmental non-compliance issues immediately
- Regularly visiting construction areas, site facilities and installations and report all environmental deficiencies
- Recording all visits and site environmental control reports
- Administering the environmental/heritage policies and procedures and new employee environmental induction training, including contractor and sub-contractor employees
- Attending all relevant site environmental meetings
- Assisting in the preparation and review of environmental management plans
- Controlling the maintenance of site-specific environmental requirements
- If required, representing the SKAO in environmental visits or investigations by government departments, statutory authorities and insurance agencies
- Participating in all relevant environmental training
- Reporting to the HSE Manager all specific or critical environmental issues
- In liaison with NEC Supervisor, advising the NEC Project Manager and SKAO HSE Manager if a contractor has substantially broken an environmental regulation and monitor subsequent rectification
- In liaison with relevant third parties, contributing and developing continuous improvement environmental observations and recommendations
Key Requirements
Qualification
- A recognised Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science or Environmental Management with a minimum of 5 years’ experience on a construction site; or
- A recognised National Diploma in Environmental Science or Environmental Management with a minimum of 7 years’ experience on a construction site
- Registration with a legally recognised professional registration organisation such as the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) or the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA)
- Valid driver’s licence
Experience
- Proven knowledge of National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and regulations
- Proven knowledge of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act
- Proven knowledge of environmental aspect Hazard Identification and Risk Management Processes
- Sound knowledge of environmental incident investigation processes and their causation phenomena
- Knowledge and experience in the development and/or implementation of environmental management systems
- Knowledge and experience of environmental auditing as per ISO 14001 standards
- Environmental Auditing and inspection training
- Experience in building strong people relationships, general management practices and experience in managing and leading contractor environmental teams
- Extensive knowledge and interpretation of HSE Management Systems, procedures and policies including document control
- Valid driver’s licence
- Environment, (Health and Safety), Construction
- Proven track record in working with contractors on construction sites
- Environmental Risk Management
- Quality management
Knowledge
- Project processes
Additional notes
Ability of
- Solve problems and resolve conflict
- Provide solutions that are practical and pragmatic
- Ability to operate alone and within a team under pressure
- Self-motivating with a positive attitude
- Ability to learn new software packages used during construction (e.g. ALIM, CEMAR, Incident and Accident Reporting tools)
- Ability and willingness to travel between various Northern Cape locations and be prepared to reside in Carnarvon and be based on site on a permanent basis.
Organisational Values
The SKA-Senior HSE Officer will be expected to demonstrate the SARAO and SKAO’s values, and to work actively to instil those behaviours in all SKA-Mid staff in South Africa.
SKAO’s values are
- Diversity and inclusion
- Excellence
- Collaboration
- Creativity and innovation
- Sustainability
SARAO’s values are
- Passion for excellence
- World-class service
- People-centered
- Respect
- Integrity and ethics
- Accountability
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by loggin here no later than 14 June 2022. Furthermore, applicants should include a letter of motivation indicating their suitability for the position in their applications. In addition, the applicants must provide the names and contact details of at least three referees.
South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience. Also, the NRF is committed to employment equity and redress, and appointments to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan. In addition, the NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment and will send correspondence to short-listed candidates only.
You can get more information regarding the opening here.
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