Heritage officer (Built Environment Unit) at South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra)

About the position

JOB TITLE: Heritage Officer - Built Environment Unit
DEPARTMENT: Heritage Resource Management
LOCATION: Head Office, Cape Town
APPROVED GRADE: C3
ANNUAL PACKAGE: R277 983.00
CLOSING DATE: Wednesday , 30 October 2024 at 5pm

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
To take leadership in managing heritage resources in relation to the built environment, to provide assistance to the Unit Manager, as well as to provide administrative and technical support to the unit.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS
KPA 1: Identification and Management of Heritage Sites
KPA 2: Stakeholder Management
KPA 3: Research
KPA 4: Policy Development

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPA)

Note: The following list of Key Performance Areas and job activities are not exhaustive. SANSA may instruct the employee at any time to carry out additional duties or responsibilities, which fall reasonably within the ambit of the job, or in accordance with operational requirements.

Identification and Management of Heritage Sites

• Conduct site visits.
• Compilation of nomination dossiers.
• Submit to relevant committee for grading of sites.
• Submit to relevant committee for declaring of sites
• Draft letters for formal declaration (as per National Heritage Resources Act, Sections 27, 28 & 29). In addition, should have a good understanding of Section 34 of the Act
• Application processing for permitting of National Heritage Sites.
• Professional and timeous communication (telephonic & email) with colleagues, applicants, site owners and other relevant parties

Stakeholder Management

• Facilitate and engage in public participation.
• Liaise with heritage bodies in both the public and private sectors.
• Engage with communities via meetings (online or in person) and facilitate ongoing engagement.
• Identify gaps and initiate contact with interested and affected parties.
• Respond to queries timeously.
• Participate in media engagement when directed.
• Create awareness and provide input on heritage related issues to inter-governmental departments.
• Facilitate ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders and communities on a regular basis/as or when required.

Research

• Conduct background research on heritage sites, prior to engaging with interested and affected parties.
• Initiate new research to add to existing theory and data relating to the Built Environment.
• Work together with other employees in the unit to produce at least one research paper per annum.
• Conduct research into integrated heritage management.
• Conduct historical mapping.
• Stay abreast of current trends and changes within the related environment.
• Contribute to regular updating and compilation of the heritage inventory of the National Estate.
• Provide information to the Marketing and Communications Unit relating to Heritage Sites.

Policy Development

• Set up/update/review standard operating procedures (SOPs) relating to the unit, division and larger organization.
• Manage the development of Conservation Management Plans (CMPs).
• Develop new policies and guidelines, in line with changes within the sector.
• Participate in critiquing draft policies and guidelines from other organizations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

At least a bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in the spatial fields of architecture, geography, town and regional planning or urban design.
A bachelor's degree in another related field will also be considered. A minimum of one (1) years' work experience in the relevant field.

Work experience in conservation management, architecture, landscape architecture, town planning, environmental studies, construction management or geography.

Other skills required:
Heritage Conservation Management.
Heritage Legislation.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
Graphics Skills.
Project Management Skills.
Interpersonal Skills.
Good time management skills.
Ability to work independently and show initiative.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyse, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public

NUMERICALSKILLS:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LICENSES:
A valid Code EB (08) driver's licence.

Computer Skill:
Computer literacy with regard to the use of Excel, Word and Power Point. Experience with Geographical Information Systems is favorable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is:

• Regularly required to stand and walk.
• Regularly required to sit.
• Often to talk and hear.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Desired Skills:

• Urban planning
• Town planning
• Architecture
• Landscape Architecture
• Urban Design
• Heritage Resource Management