The Department of Transport invites interested and suitably qualified candidates to apply for the advertised positions. Applicants who meet the stated requirements are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date. The positions are suitable for candidates with an NQF Level 1 or 2 qualification, ABET Level 2 Certificate or equivalent qualification who are interested in road maintenance, construction and related infrastructure work.
Successful candidates will be appointed at Salary Level 03, with a salary of R170,226 per annum.
The vacancies are available across the Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Ladysmith Regions, with the largest number of positions located at the Estcourt and Dundee Cost Centres.
Road Worker Vacancies
Position: Road Worker
Number of Posts: 99
Salary: R170,226 per annum
Salary Level: Level 03
Province: KwaZulu-Natal
Closing Date: 28 August 2026 at 16:00
Employment Sector: Government / Public Sector
Available Positions and Reference Numbers
Applicants should carefully select the location and reference number that corresponds with the position being applied for.
Durban Region
Cost Centre: Metro – Blacktop Team, St Helier
Reference Number: DOT 214/2026
Number of Posts: 1
Cost Centre: Metro – Drainage Team, Northdene
Reference Number: DOT 215/2026
Number of Posts: 1
Cost Centre: Metro – Periodical Maintenance Gravel Team, Northdene
Reference Number: DOT 216/2026
Number of Posts: 1
Cost Centre: Port Shepstone – Grader Team, Port Shepstone South
Reference Number: DOT 217/2026
Number of Posts: 1
Pietermaritzburg Region
Cost Centre: Ixopo – Grader Team 2
Reference Number: DOT 218/2026
Number of Posts: 1
Cost Centre: Umzimkhulu – Signs Team
Reference Number: DOT 219/2026
Number of Posts: 1
Cost Centre: Matatiele – Maintenance Team
Reference Number: DOT 220/2026
Number of Posts: 1
Ladysmith Region
Regional Office, Ladysmith
Reference Number: DOT 221/2026
Number of Posts: 1
Cost Centre: Estcourt
Reference Number: DOT 222/2026
Number of Posts: 70
Cost Centre: Dundee
Reference Number: DOT 223/2026
Number of Posts: 19
Cost Centre: Newcastle
Reference Number: DOT 224/2026
Number of Posts: 2
This represents a total of 99 Road Worker vacancies.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 1 or NQF Level 2 qualification, such as an ABET Level 2 Certificate or equivalent qualification.
Candidates should carefully check that the qualification meets the minimum requirement before submitting an application.
Although the position is focused on practical road maintenance and construction duties, applicants are also expected to demonstrate suitable workplace skills and competencies.
Required Skills and Competencies
The Department of Transport has identified several skills and competencies required for the Road Worker position.
These include:
- Job knowledge
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal relationship skills
- Flexibility
- Teamwork
- Accuracy
- Aptitude for figures
- Computer literacy
- Planning and organising skills
- Good verbal communication
- Good written communication
Candidates should be able to work effectively as part of a team and follow instructions provided by supervisors or managers. The ability to work in different environments and adapt to changing work requirements is also important.
Road maintenance can involve physically demanding outdoor work and practical activities. Applicants should therefore be prepared to perform duties associated with road construction, maintenance, cleaning, repairs and infrastructure support.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidates will perform routine activities relating to road maintenance and construction.
Responsibilities may include the construction of culverts and side drains. These structures are important for managing water drainage around roads and helping to protect road infrastructure from water-related damage.
Road Workers may also be responsible for erecting and maintaining steel guardrails and gabions. These activities contribute to road safety and the protection of road infrastructure.
Other duties include construction of road earthworks and layer works. This involves assisting with the preparation and construction of road surfaces and related infrastructure.
Employees may be required to clean and maintain roads, sidewalks and resting areas. Regular maintenance helps ensure that roads and surrounding public areas remain safe and accessible.
The position also includes surfacing and pothole patching. Road Workers may assist with repairing damaged road surfaces and carrying out maintenance work to improve road conditions.
Additional duties may include fencing and pipe laying, depending on the requirements of the relevant team and cost centre.
Employees may also be required to assist with the setting of road markings and studs. Proper road markings and studs are important for road visibility and safety.
Other responsibilities include the installation of road signs, distance markers and barricading of work areas. Barricading work areas is particularly important during maintenance and construction activities to help protect workers and road users.
Road Workers may also be involved in crushing road material, as well as brush clearing and grass cutting along roads and related areas.
The specific duties performed may depend on the team, cost centre and operational requirements of the Department.
Work Locations
The vacancies are distributed across various areas of KwaZulu-Natal. These include Durban, Northdene, St Helier, Port Shepstone, Ixopo, Umzimkhulu, Matatiele, Ladysmith, Estcourt, Dundee and Newcastle.
Estcourt has the highest number of vacancies, with 70 Road Worker positions, followed by Dundee with 19 positions.
Candidates should consider the location carefully before applying, particularly because the successful candidate may be required to report to the relevant cost centre or team.
How to Apply
Applications are encouraged through the KwaZulu-Natal online e-Recruitment system.
Applicants can access the recruitment system at: www.kznonline.gov.za/kznjobs
Applicants may also visit a Designated Online Application Centre (DOAC) where assistance is available with applications on the KZN online e-Recruitment system or with receiving hardcopy applications.
The list of Designated Online Application Centres is available through the KZN e-Recruitment website.
Candidates who choose to submit a hardcopy application may forward the application, quoting the relevant reference number, to:
Recruitment & Selection Section
Human Resource Administration Directorate
Private Bag X9043
Pietermaritzburg
3200
Applications may alternatively be hand-delivered to:
Office of the Department of Transport
Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House
172 Burger Street
Pietermaritzburg
The closing date for applications is: 28 August 2026 at 16:00
Late applications will not be considered.
Application Instructions and Important Notes
Applications must be submitted on the new Application for Employment Form, Z83, which is obtainable from the DPSA website at www.dpsa.gov.za-vacancies. The Z83 form must be completed in accordance with DPSA Circular 03 of 2025. The completed and signed Z83 form must be accompanied by a detailed CV.
Applicants must provide the dates of starting and leaving employment on the application in the DD/MM/YYYY format. Only shortlisted candidates will be required to provide certified copies of the required supporting documents. These documents must be submitted on or before the date of the interview, following communication from Human Resources.
Where a Senior Certificate is required for a position, a statement of results will not be accepted. Where a tertiary qualification is required, applicants must provide the relevant certificate. However, where a certificate will only be issued at a future graduation ceremony, a statement of results accompanied by a letter from the educational institution confirming the scheduled graduation date will be accepted.
Failure to comply with the application instructions may result in the application being disqualified.
Applicants who wish to apply for more than one advertised position must submit a separate application for each post. Each application should clearly indicate the relevant position and reference number.
Non-RSA citizens or applicants holding Permanent Residence Permits must provide a copy of their Permanent Residence Permit if shortlisted for an interview. Applicants with foreign qualifications are responsible for having their qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and must provide proof of the evaluation if shortlisted.
Under no circumstances will faxed applications be accepted. Due to the high volume of applications received, receipt of applications will not be acknowledged. Applicants who do not receive an invitation to attend an interview within three months of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.
Where previous work experience is a requirement for the advertised position, the successful candidate will be required to provide documentary proof of the relevant work experience before assuming duty.
A personnel suitability check will be conducted before employment. The check may include verification of criminal records, citizenship, credit records, qualifications and previous employment.
For positions at the Senior Management Service (SMS) level, successful applicants must have completed the required Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme and must be in possession of the relevant pre-entry certificate before taking up the appointment. The programme is a public-service-specific training programme designed for applicants aspiring to join the SMS and provides background on processes and procedures associated with SMS positions.
The online Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme has a duration of 120 notional hours. Further information is available through the National School of Government website at https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entryprogramme/.
All shortlisted candidates applying for SMS positions will be required to undergo a technical exercise designed to assess relevant technical aspects of the advertised position. Details regarding the arrangements and logistics of the technical exercise will be communicated by the Department.
Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel may recommend candidates to undergo a generic managerial competency assessment in accordance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency-based assessments. The assessment will evaluate generic managerial competencies using the prescribed DPSA SMS competency assessment tools.
Candidates must be available to attend selection interviews at the date, time and place determined by the Department.
The Department of Transport reserves the right not to fill any of the advertised posts at any stage of the recruitment process.
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and other designated groups are encouraged to apply.
All shortlisted candidates, including candidates applying for SMS positions, will be required to undertake two pre-entry assessments. One assessment will consist of a practical exercise designed to determine the candidate’s suitability based on the technical and generic requirements of the position. The second assessment will be an integrity assessment focusing on ethical conduct.