SAFCOL Group invites interested and suitably qualified candidates to apply for the permanent Driver Operator position based at Uitsoek Plantation. The role involves operating tractors, skidders, three-wheelers and fire trucks in a safe and cost-effective manner to support road opening, grass cutting, fire belt preparation, labour transport and plantation fire-fighting activities.

The position is suitable for candidates with a Grade 7 qualification, a valid Code EC driver’s licence with PDP and at least three years of experience in a similar forestry or plantation environment. Responsibilities also include conducting daily inspections, maintaining equipment, reporting faults promptly and keeping vehicle logbooks up to date in accordance with operational safety standards.

Position Title: Driver Operator
Location: Uitsoek Plantation, Mpumalanga
Employment Type: Permanent
Grade: B3
Reporting Line: Forester / Plantation Manager
Closing Date: 08 May 2026
Application Email: [email protected]

Overview of the Driver Operator Position

The Driver Operator position at Uitsoek Plantation supports forestry operational activities through the safe and efficient operation of plantation vehicles, tractors and specialised forestry machinery used in road preparation, grass cutting, fire prevention and labour transportation. The role contributes to maintaining productivity within plantation environments by ensuring equipment is operated responsibly, maintained consistently and utilised in accordance with safety and environmental procedures governing forestry operations.

Responsibilities include operation of tractors for road opening and vegetation control, preparation of fire belts for wildfire prevention programmes, transportation of labour teams within plantation areas and operation of specialised equipment such as skidders, three-wheelers and fire trucks during controlled burning and emergency fire response situations. The role strengthens operational readiness across plantation environments through reliable equipment handling, preventive maintenance activities and accurate reporting of mechanical faults affecting forestry production workflows.

The position forms part of structured forestry production systems where safe machinery usage supports land preparation activities, fire management programmes and workforce mobility within plantation zones. Duties require adherence to safety regulations, operational planning requirements and maintenance procedures aligned with forestry equipment utilisation standards.

Purpose of the Role

The Driver Operator role exists to support plantation productivity through responsible operation of allocated vehicles and machinery within forestry environments requiring continuous maintenance of access roads, vegetation control areas and fire protection infrastructure.

Primary objectives associated with the role include:

• Operating plantation vehicles safely within forestry zones
• Supporting road opening activities using tractor equipment
• Performing vegetation cutting operations
• Preparing fire belts for wildfire prevention strategies
• Transporting labour teams within plantation environments
• Operating skidder equipment during forestry activities
• Operating three-wheeler vehicles where required
• Supporting fire truck operations during controlled burning activities
• Participating in plantation fire-fighting operations when required
• Maintaining machinery condition through daily inspection routines
• Supporting production continuity through equipment readiness

The role contributes directly to maintaining plantation infrastructure supporting forestry productivity and fire prevention readiness.

Core Vehicle Operation Responsibilities

Daily equipment operation duties include:

• Driving allocated plantation vehicles safely across operational zones
• Operating tractors for road opening within forestry areas
• Operating tractors for grass cutting activities
• Supporting vegetation management programmes
• Maintaining operational routes through plantation terrain
• Preparing plantation access roads for safe movement of forestry teams
• Supporting road maintenance programmes within forestry compartments
• Operating vehicles according to forestry safety guidelines
• Supporting operational transport requirements across plantation areas

Vehicle operation supports safe mobility across forestry production environments.

Tractor Operation Responsibilities

Specific tractor-related responsibilities include:

• Operating tractors to open plantation roads
• Performing grass cutting operations within plantation compartments
• Supporting vegetation clearance along access routes
• Preparing fire belts for wildfire prevention infrastructure
• Maintaining tractor equipment readiness for scheduled operations
• Supporting land preparation requirements aligned with plantation safety programmes
• Operating tractors during seasonal vegetation management activities

Tractor operation supports both production and fire prevention objectives.

Fire Belt Preparation Responsibilities

Fire prevention infrastructure preparation includes:

• Supporting construction of fire belts using tractor equipment
• Maintaining fire break routes within plantation compartments
• Supporting seasonal wildfire prevention planning activities
• Ensuring accessibility of emergency response routes
• Supporting maintenance of vegetation-free protection corridors
• Assisting with preparation of controlled burn zones

Fire belt preparation strengthens wildfire risk mitigation strategies within forestry environments.

Labour Transport Responsibilities

Transport-related duties include:

• Transporting labour teams safely within plantation areas
• Supporting movement of forestry personnel between operational zones
• Ensuring compliance with transport safety procedures
• Maintaining passenger safety during plantation transport activities
• Supporting logistical coordination of workforce deployment
• Ensuring vehicles remain suitable for labour transport operations

Transport responsibilities support workforce coordination within plantation production areas.

Specialised Equipment Operation Responsibilities

Specialised machinery duties include:

• Operating skidder equipment within forestry compartments
• Operating three-wheeler vehicles where required
• Supporting timber movement operations where applicable
• Supporting plantation logistics coordination activities
• Maintaining readiness of specialised forestry vehicles
• Ensuring safe operation of equipment within uneven terrain environments

Specialised equipment operation supports efficient forestry logistics activities.

Fire Truck Operation Responsibilities

Fire truck operation duties include:

• Operating fire trucks during burning of fire breaks
• Supporting plantation fire-fighting operations
• Maintaining readiness for emergency fire response activities
• Supporting wildfire containment procedures
• Ensuring fire response vehicles remain operationally prepared
• Assisting with controlled burning activities aligned with safety procedures

Fire truck responsibilities support plantation fire protection readiness.

Equipment Maintenance Responsibilities

Routine maintenance duties include:

• Conducting daily inspection of allocated machinery
• Performing cleaning of plantation vehicles
• Performing greasing of mechanical components
• Supporting scheduled servicing of forestry equipment
• Maintaining skidder operational readiness
• Maintaining three-wheeler equipment condition
• Maintaining labour transport vehicles
• Maintaining fire truck operational functionality
• Ensuring equipment remains safe for continued operation

Preventive maintenance supports reliability of plantation machinery.

Mechanical Inspection Responsibilities

Inspection-related duties include:

• Identifying mechanical faults during daily equipment checks
• Reporting faults immediately to supervisors
• Supporting early detection of maintenance requirements
• Maintaining safe operating conditions of machinery
• Supporting repair scheduling processes
• Ensuring machinery remains compliant with operational safety standards

Inspection routines contribute to safe and efficient equipment utilisation.

Logbook Management Responsibilities

Documentation duties include:

• Maintaining accurate vehicle logbook records
• Recording operational usage of machinery
• Supporting tracking of equipment deployment
• Maintaining service interval documentation
• Recording inspection activities
• Supporting compliance with fleet management procedures

Accurate documentation supports equipment accountability within plantation environments.

Ad Hoc Operational Support Responsibilities

Additional responsibilities include:

• Performing additional duties assigned by plantation supervisors
• Supporting operational readiness during peak production periods
• Assisting with seasonal forestry preparation activities
• Supporting emergency response readiness activities
• Maintaining flexibility in responding to operational requirements

Ad hoc duties support continuity of plantation operations.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Grade 7 qualification
• Valid driver’s licence Code EC
• Professional Driving Permit (PDP)
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in similar forestry or plantation environment

These requirements support readiness for safe machinery operation within forestry production settings.

Advantageous Requirements

The following background strengthens suitability for the position:

• Mechanical maintenance experience
• Exposure to forestry equipment servicing environments
• Experience operating plantation machinery
• Familiarity with wildfire prevention infrastructure operations

Mechanical awareness strengthens equipment reliability support capabilities.

Behavioural Competencies

Behavioural attributes supporting performance in the Driver Operator role include:

• Efficiency in completing assigned operational tasks
• Self-motivation within structured plantation environments
• Diligence when handling machinery and vehicles
• Reliability in maintaining operational schedules
• Consistency in following safety procedures
• Responsibility in maintaining equipment condition

Behavioural competencies strengthen operational performance within forestry environments.

Skills Competencies

Essential technical skills include:

• Basic safety awareness related to forestry equipment
• Communication ability within plantation teams
• Literacy skills supporting logbook documentation
• Accountability in machinery operation
• Production-oriented work approach
• Decision-making ability within operational environments

Skills competencies support effective participation in plantation production systems.

Workplace Environment Expectations

The Driver Operator role operates within forestry plantation environments requiring:

• Movement across outdoor operational terrain
• Operation of machinery in vegetation management zones
• Participation in wildfire prevention infrastructure preparation
• Coordination with forestry labour teams
• Operation within controlled burning environments
• Participation in emergency fire response activities

Environmental conditions require readiness for outdoor operational duties throughout plantation areas.

Employment Equity Considerations

SAFCOL Group applies employment equity principles supporting gender equality and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Appointment decisions align with organisational employment equity frameworks guiding workforce representation objectives.

Employment equity considerations support inclusive participation within forestry operational environments.

Application Process

Interested qualified individuals must submit:

• Concise Curriculum Vitae
• Copies of relevant qualifications
• Copies of driver’s licence documentation
• Supporting PDP certification documentation

Applications must be submitted via email to: [email protected]

Applications must be directed to:

• Ms Magdeline Selopyane
• Human Capital Practitioner

Additional Application Information

Applicants who do not receive a response within 30 days after the closing date should consider the application unsuccessful. Application review processes align with organisational recruitment procedures supporting fair and transparent appointment practices within forestry operational roles.