Sarah Baartman District Municipality is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates for a Temporary Control Room Operator position within Infrastructure Services & Community Services. The position is offered on a three-month contract and carries a salary of R26,166.25 per month.
The vacancy may suit candidates who have a Grade 12 qualification, computer literacy, good communication skills and an understanding of radio communication procedures. The successful candidate will be responsible for receiving and transmitting emergency communications, handling telephone calls, coordinating switchboard operations and completing administrative duties.
Applications must be submitted using the official Sarah Baartman District Municipality application form. Candidates are encouraged to carefully check the requirements and ensure that all required supporting documents are included before submitting an application.
Temporary Control Room Operator Vacancy
Department: Infrastructure Services & Community Services
Position: Temporary Control Room Operator
Task Grade: TK: 6
Contract: Three months
Salary: R26,166.25 per month
Closing Date: 28 August 2026
Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
The Temporary Control Room Operator will play an important role in supporting communication and emergency response functions within the municipality. The position requires someone who can communicate effectively, remain calm under pressure and work efficiently in a team environment.
Because the role involves emergency radio communication, telephone calls and switchboard operations, applicants should be comfortable handling different types of communication while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants interested in the Temporary Control Room Operator position must meet the requirements specified by Sarah Baartman District Municipality.
The minimum requirements include:
- Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.
- Computer literacy, particularly in MS Word packages.
- Word processing experience will be preferable.
- Good verbal communication skills.
- Good knowledge of radio communication techniques.
- Ability to communicate in English and at least two other official languages.
- Ability to work under pressure within a team environment.
- Willingness to work extended hours when required.
- Preparedness to work shifts, including public holidays.
Candidates should ensure that the information provided in the application form and CV clearly demonstrates how the requirements are met.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for performing several communication, control room and administrative functions.
Receiving and Handling Emergency Radio Communications
One of the main responsibilities will be receiving and handling emergency radio communications. The successful candidate will need to listen carefully to incoming communications and ensure that relevant information is handled appropriately.
Radio communication can involve urgent situations, which means accuracy and clear communication are important. Candidates should therefore have a good understanding of radio communication techniques and be able to remain focused when dealing with emergency-related messages.
Receiving and Transmitting Telephone Calls
The position also involves receiving and transmitting telephone calls. The successful candidate will serve as an important communication point and will need to handle telephone communication professionally.
Good verbal communication skills are essential because information may need to be received, recorded and passed on to the appropriate person or department.
Switchboard Operations
The Temporary Control Room Operator will also handle and coordinate switchboard operations.
This responsibility requires the ability to manage multiple communication requests and direct calls appropriately. Candidates should be organised, attentive and able to work efficiently when there are several calls or requests at the same time.
Preparing Monthly Statistical Reports
The successful candidate will be required to prepare and submit statistical reports on a monthly basis.
This responsibility may involve collecting information, recording data and presenting statistics accurately. Computer literacy and word processing skills will therefore be useful when preparing reports and maintaining administrative records.
Administrative and Filing Duties
The position also includes performing administrative and filing duties related to the control room functions.
The successful candidate may be required to maintain records, organise documentation and ensure that relevant information is properly filed and available when needed. Attention to detail and good organisational skills will be important for these responsibilities.
Skills That Can Strengthen an Application
Although the vacancy lists specific requirements, candidates can improve their applications by clearly highlighting relevant skills and experience.
Experience in a control room, call centre, switchboard, emergency communications, administration or a similar environment may be useful. Candidates with experience handling telephone calls, recording information, preparing reports or working with radio communication should clearly mention this experience in the CV.
Computer skills should also be presented clearly. Applicants who have experience using Microsoft Word and performing word processing duties should include this information in the skills and work experience sections of the CV.
Communication abilities are particularly important for this position. Candidates should indicate the official languages they can speak and communicate in, especially where they can communicate in English and at least two additional official languages.
The position also requires flexibility because the successful candidate must be prepared to work shifts and public holidays. Candidates should therefore understand the working conditions before applying.
Contract and Salary
The Temporary Control Room Operator position is offered on a three-month contract.
The advertised salary is R26,166.25 per month at Task Grade TK: 6.
Candidates should carefully consider the temporary nature of the position before applying. The vacancy is not advertised as a permanent appointment and applicants should not assume that the contract will automatically be extended after three months.
The position may nevertheless provide valuable municipal work experience, particularly for candidates interested in administration, emergency communications, control room operations, customer service or public-sector employment.
How to Apply
Sarah Baartman District Municipality requires candidates to use the official municipal application form when applying for this vacancy.
The application form can be obtained from the Sarah Baartman District Municipality website or from the Council premises at the Security Foyer.
The official application form is also available for download through the municipality’s website.
Candidates must complete the prescribed application form and attach a comprehensive CV.
The application must also include certified copies of the required supporting documents, including:
- Identity document.
- Qualifications.
- Other relevant supporting documents required for the application.
Applicants should ensure that the copies are properly certified where certification is required. Missing documentation or failure to use the prescribed application form may result in the application not being considered.
Where to Submit the Application
Completed applications can be submitted by post or delivered in person.
Postal Address:
Senior Manager: Corporate Services
Sarah Baartman District Municipality
P.O. Box 318
Port Elizabeth
Physical Address:
32 Govan Mbeki Avenue
Gqeberha
6000
Applicants who require additional information about the vacancy or application process can contact the municipality.
Contact Numbers:
041 508 7117
041 508 7044
For general vacancy application forms and further information, the HR division can also be contacted on:
041 508 7001
041 508 7044
Important Application Instructions
Applicants should use only the official Sarah Baartman District Municipality application form. The municipality specifically states that no application forms other than the SBDM application form will be accepted.
Candidates should also ensure that applications are submitted before the deadline. Late applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
The municipality reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Applicants should carefully review the completed application before submission to ensure that all relevant sections have been completed and that the required documents are attached.
A comprehensive CV should provide clear information about qualifications, employment history, skills and relevant experience. The CV should also be consistent with the information provided on the official application form.
Closing Date
The closing date for the Temporary Control Room Operator vacancy is 28 August 2026.
Candidates should not wait until the final day to submit an application. Postal applications should be sent early enough to reach the municipality before the closing date.
Applicants who are interested in the position should ensure that the official application form, comprehensive CV and certified supporting documents are submitted correctly and on time.
Unsuccessful Applications
Sarah Baartman District Municipality states that unsuccessful candidates will not be notified, except candidates who are invited for interviews.
Applicants who have not been contacted within six weeks after the closing date should accept that their applications were unsuccessful.
The municipality also reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Final Advice for Job Seekers
The Temporary Control Room Operator position is an opportunity for a Grade 12 candidate with suitable communication, computer and radio communication skills to work within a municipal environment on a three-month contract.
Candidates should pay particular attention to the requirement for English and at least two other official languages, as well as the willingness to work shifts, extended hours and public holidays.
A strong application should contain the prescribed municipal application form, a comprehensive and relevant CV, certified copies of the identity document and qualifications, and any other required supporting documents.
Most importantly, applicants should use the official Sarah Baartman District Municipality application form and submit the completed application before 28 August 2026.