Job Description

The Department of Agriculture is inviting applications for the Auxiliary Services Officer position in Pretoria, Gauteng.

This opportunity falls under the Directorate: Genetics Resources and is based at Roodeplaat: Variety Control. The role is suited to a candidate who can support plant variety evaluation activities, seed processing, trial administration, and general farm maintenance.

The successful candidate will assist with planting, trial monitoring, measurements, labelling, seed handling, irrigation, and routine crop production activities.

Responsibilities

• Plant seeds and seedlings for evaluation of new plant varieties in terms of the Plant Breeders Rights Act and Plant Improvement Act.
• Plant seeds and seedlings in seedling trays, plant bags, and pots in the greenhouse and field.
• Group seedling trays according to randomization.
• Spray insecticide and fungicide in the greenhouse.
• Apply fertilizers in the field.
• Plant seeds in identified rows in the field.
• Re-insert plant markers in the trial field.
• Label plant markers for trade and post control, seedling trays, and field trials.
• Provide administrative and technical services for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) evaluations.
• Monitor trials and provide reports.
• Count the number of plants per row in trials.
• Take measurements of plants and plant parts on selected varieties.
• Record measurements in the relevant UPOV datasheet.
• Maintain the filing system.
• Mark labels and packets, harvest and thrash selected material.
• Operate the irrigation system.
• Process seed of standard varieties.
• Retrieve seeds of identified varieties from cold storage.
• Weigh seed and divide seed into seed packets.
• Label seed packets with variety denomination, trial number, and row number.
• Randomize seeds.
• Distribute seed packets as required for cold room, greenhouse, and field trials.
• Assist with general maintenance of the farm.
• Carry out routine crop production activities.
• Clean buildings and stores.
• Maintain irrigation systems.
• Maintain the farmyard.

Requirements

• Grade 12 Certificate.
• No experience required.

Skills

• Basic planting and crop handling
• Trial monitoring
• Seed processing
• Record keeping
• Filing
• Measuring and data recording
• Irrigation system operation
• General farm maintenance
• Attention to detail
• Ability to follow instructions

Additional Information

• Reference number: 3/3/1/22/2026
• Number of posts: 2
• Directorate: Genetics Resources
• Salary level: Level 04
• Centre: Pretoria (Roodeplaat: Variety Control), Gauteng
• Enquiries: Mr S.J Ndlazi Tel No: (012) 319 6086 / 076 460 4582

Employment Equity Note

EE Target: Coloured and White Males, African Females, and Persons with disability.