SKA Mid- Site Environmental Officer at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The SKA-Mid Site Environmental Officer (EO) will form part of the SKA-Mid Site Management Team reporting to the SKA- Mid Environment & Sustainability Specialist. The SKA- Mid Site Environmental Officer will be based on the SKA-Mid Site in the town of Carnarvon on a full-time basis (The SKA-Mid Site is 85km outside the town of Carnarvon in the Northern Cape). The SKA-Mid Site Environmental Officer will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of Contractor Environmental Management Plans (EMPrs) and all construction licence compliance requirements during construction and operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Reviewing Contractor Environmental Management Plans and Method Statements to ensure compliance to the SKA-Mid Integrated Environmental Management Plan and construction licences
• Responding to Contractor queries regarding environmental and construction licence requirements
• Undertaking weekly inspections to ensure SKAO and contractor compliance, compiling reports and updating compliance software platform
• Conducting monthly audits with Environmental Control Officer (ECO) and updating compliances/non-compliance on software platform
• Addressing non-conformances with Contractors and providing reports on close-out of non-conformances
• Completing a daily environmental incident log and complaints record sheet which are available for inspection at any time
• Notifying ECO of any incidents or complaints
• Recording all visits and environmental control reports including photographic evidence
• Undertaking heritage inductions and ongoing environment, licencing and heritage toolbox talks to contractors and SKA- Mid staff;Representing the SKAO in environmental visits or investigations by government departments, statutory authorities and insurance agencies
• Developing continuous improvement environmental observations and recommendations
• Liaison with SANParks to ensure SKAO and contractor compliance to SANParks rules & regulations and applicable legislation
• Provide support to the SKA-Mid Environment and Sustainability Specialist in terms of compliance reporting to SARAO and SKAO and ensuring implementation of the SKA-Mid Environmental Management Plan and SKA-Mid Integrated Environmental Management PlanEnsuring contractor compliance to their EMPrs and the SKA-Mid Integrated Environmental Management Plan and construction licencesOngoing environmental training & reporting and maintaining environmental aspect/incident report log & complaints registerExternal and Internal Coordination and Interface Management

Minimum Qualification:

• Diploma / Advanced Certificate / NQF 6

Minimum Experience:

• 3-3 years

• A recognised National Diploma in Environmental Science, Environmental Management or equivalent with a minimum of 3 years experience on a construction site;

Experience:

• A recognised National Diploma in Environmental Science, Environmental Management or equivalent with a minimum of 3 years experience on a construction site;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;Environmental Auditing and inspection training;Experience in building strong people relationships, general management practices and experience in managing and leading contractor environmental teams;Valid driver's licence;Ability and willingness to travel

Knowledge:

• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills;A flexible team player who is adaptable to change;Familiarity with the formalism for, and requirements of, quality control environments such as ISO[Phone Number Removed]; and 45001;Knowledge of the South African construction industry legislation and regulations
• Environment, (Health and Safety), Construction;Proven track record in working with contractors on construction sites;Environmental Risk Management;Quality management
• Knowledge and experience of environmental auditing as per ISO 14001 standards;

Additional Notes:
Ability toSolve 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 constructionOrganisational Values The SKA-Mid Environmental Officer will be expected to demonstrate the SARAO and SKAO’s values, and to work actively to instill those behaviours in all SKA-Mid staff in South Africa. SKAO’s values are:Diversity and Inclusion ExcellenceCollaborationCreativity and InnovationSustainability SARAO’s values are:Passion for ExcellenceWorld-class servicePeople-centeredRespectIntegrity and EthicsAccountability Both SARAO and SKAO value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life [URL Removed] roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you, please raise this during your interview, as we are open to discussing flexible working oppertunities during the hiring [URL Removed] NRF website provides more details on the initiatives and activities Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by registering and apply online through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant·s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.

Desired Skills:

• Skilled in applied field of position
• Knowledge to be relevant
• Responsible in performing duties

About The Employer:

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Telescope is an international effort by more than a dozen countries to build the world’s largest, most advanced radio telescopes in South Africa and Australia. Both South Africa and Australia are co-host members of the SKA Observatory (SKAO), a UK-based intergovernmental organisation responsible for the construction and operation of the SKA telescopes. The first phase of the SKA will consist of two telescopes: South Africa will host the mid-frequency telescope (SKA-Mid). SKA-Mid will comprise up to 197 dishes spread along spiral arms spanning 150 km in the Karoo, Northern Cape. The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), a facility of the National Research Foundation, is responsible for managing all radio astronomy initiatives and facilities in South Africa, including the MeerKAT Radio Telescope, a precursor to the SKA telescope. Australia will host the SKA’s low-frequency telescope (SKA-Low). SKA-Low will comprise up to 131,072 antennas in clusters along spiral arms spanning 65 km at CSIRO’s Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) in WA.