About The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS)

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is the primary custodian of South Africa’s water resources. As of 2026, it is responsible for formulating and implementing national policy to ensure all citizens have access to clean water and dignified sanitation.

Minimum Requirements

1. Applicants must be in possession of Grade 12 Certificate and a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Survey / Geomatics.
2. Compulsory registration with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC) as a Professional Surveyor on appointment.
3. Compulsory registration with SAGC as a Professional Surveyor to perform cadastral Surveys.
4. Minimum of 6 years post-qualification survey experience required.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and perform surveys to solve practical survey problems (challenges), improve efficiency and enhance safety.
• Manage projects on the application of new and existing survey technologies. Manage and plan surveys of a varied and complex nature.
• Develop cost-effective solutions and approve surveys according to prescribed requirements / standards.
• Promote safety in line with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate existing technical manuals, standard drawings and procedures to incorporate new technology. Provide expert advisory and support services. Maintain survey operational effectiveness.
• Manage the execution of maintenance strategy through the provision of appropriate structures, systems and resources.
• Set survey maintenance standards, specifications and service levels according to organisational objectives.
• Monitor maintenance efficiencies according to organisational goals to direct or redirect survey services.
• Governance. Allocate, control, monitor and report on all resources.
• Compile risk logs and manage significant risk according to sound risk management practice and organisational requirements.
• Provide technical consulting services for the operation on survey-related matters to minimise possible survey risks.
• Manage and implement knowledge sharing initiatives e.g. short-term assignments and secondments within and across operations, in support of individual development plans, operational requirements and return on investment.
• Monitor the exchange and protection of information between operations and individuals to ensure effective knowledge management according to departmental objectives.
• Financial management.
• Ensure the availability of and management of funds to meet the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) objectives within the survey environment / services.
• Manage the operational capital project portfolio for the operation to ensure effectiveresourcing according to organisational needs and objectives.
• Manage the commercial value add of the discipline-related programmes and projects.
• Facilitate the compilation of innovation proposals to ensure validity and adherence to organisational principles.
• Allocate, control and monitor expenditure according to budget to ensure efficient cash flow management.
• People management.
• Manage the development, motivation and utilisation of human resources for the discipline to ensure a competent knowledge base for the continued success of the survey services according to the organisational needs and requirements.
• Manage subordinates’ key performance areas by setting and monitoring performance standards and taking actions to correct deviations to achieve departmental objectives