About SAFCOL (South African Forestry Company Limited)

SAFCOL (South African Forestry Company SOC Limited) is South Africa’s third-largest state-owned enterprise (SOE), specializing in sustainable forestry and commercial forest products. Established in 1992, it operates under the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

Key Accountabilities

• Monitor the transport of timber, ensuring timely collection and delivery
• Ensure Operating Harvesting Plan (OHP) is available for each active harvesting compartment
• Monitor production and Micro-forest reports on a daily basis
• Ensure compliance with internal audit requirements related to harvesting operations
• Ensure the Planning Section completes compartment enumeration prior to the commencement of harvesting operations.
• Complete volume reconciliations per compartment and submit to the Planning Department
• Report completed activities on Micro forest and review log quality audits on a daily basis
• Complete management checklists for all operations on a weekly basis
• Ensure supervisors complete Best Operating Practices (BOP) quality checklists daily for their respective operations
• Conduct regular toolbox talks and monitor compliance with forestry best practices
• Ensure post-harvesting audits are conducted with the Senior Forester/Plantation Manager immediately upon compartment completion
• Follow up on all customer complaints promptly
• Control contractor daily operations, ensuring adherence to production, quality, and safety standards
• Ensure compliance with Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) standards; report all incidents onto the data management system (DMS)
• Mark trees for thinning, ensure alignment with the thinning regime, and verify thinning controls are in place before operations commence
• Perform weekly checklists and post-harvesting audits on completion of operations
• Report volume variances greater than 10% to the Plantation Manager and Planning Manager
• Sign Goods Received Vouchers (GRVs) to confirm work completion and quality standards
• Ensure no damage occurs to remaining stands during operations
• Control plantation road team operations and perform road condition assessments as part of post-harvest monitoring
• Monitor maintenance schedules for vehicles and equipment to ensure timely servicing, licensing, and compliance without penalties
• Identify and address training needs for subordinates
• Complete field checklists and perform in-field quality checks for all operations as per BOPs
• Enforce safety standards in all aspects of work and control environmental management in the field according to the Environmental Management

System (EMS)

• Manage staff performance and productivity
• Monitor and control training programs to ensure compliance with safety standards; maintain and update all safety registers
• Supervise safety committee inspections, meetings, and reporting activities

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12
• National Diploma in Forestry (NQF level 6)
• B-Tech or BSc Degree in Forestry (NQF level 7) will be added advantage
• 2 Years’ experience as a Field Forester or similar level
• Previous experience in harvesting operations will be an added advantage