Job Description

The Department of Agriculture is inviting applications for the Tradesman Aid position in Hectorspruit, Mpumalanga.

This opportunity falls under the Directorate: Animal Health and is suited to a candidate who can support fence maintenance, patrol road upkeep, firefighting, animal disease control activities, and general maintenance duties in the field.

The successful candidate will assist with daily patrols, repairs, quarantine support, reporting of illegal activities, and the safeguarding of departmental assets and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Repair breakages and replace stolen sections of fence.
• Remove trees, weeds, and tall grass along the fence and patrol roads.
• Apply herbicides as required.
• Maintain and repair patrol roads and drainage trenches.
• Assist with firefighting and fire prevention along the fence.
• Help prevent and deter transboundary movement of animal diseases.
• Conduct daily patrols and inspections of disease control fences for breakages.
• Quarantine illegal animals.
• Safely dispose of carcasses found along the fence.
• Conduct daily patrols of gates on disease control fences.
• Care for quarantined livestock.
• Maintain and safeguard departmental assets and consumables.
• Safekeep fencing materials and equipment.
• Maintain fencing equipment.
• Clean the storeroom and office.
• Wash departmental vehicles.
• Communicate and report unwanted activities in the boundary area.
• Liaise with the local community, farmers, and the security cluster.
• Provide routine feedback to the supervisor.
• Immediately report illegal movement of animals or signs of animal disease to the supervisor.
• Report illegal non-animal-related activities to the security cluster.

Requirements

• ABET / Basic Education.
• No experience required.

Knowledge

• Repair and maintenance of patrol roads
• Firefighting
• Signs of animal disease
• Animal tracking

Skills

• Basic numeracy skills
• Basic literacy skills
• Ability to work overtime
• Ability to work during weekends
• Ability to work in extreme weather conditions
• Ability to work in an environment with wild animals

Additional Information

• Reference number: 3/3/1/24/2026
• Number of posts: 2
• Directorate: Animal Health
• Salary level: Level 02
• Centre: Hectorspruit, Mpumalanga
• Enquiries: Mr Thabo Motsisi at 072 198 5067

Employment Equity Note

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