The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development invites qualified candidates to submit their applications for the Laboratory Assistant role at the Kroonstad Veterinary Laboratory. This is a great opportunity for those who meet the qualifications to join the team at the Kroonstad Veterinary Laboratory as a Laboratory Assistant.
POSITION: Laboratory Assistant X2 Posts
REFERENCE NUMBER: LA
SALARY: R193 359 per annum (Level 04)
CENTRE: Kroonstad Veterinary Laboratory
REQUIREMENTS:
- Grade 12 or equivalent qualification.
- No experience needed.
DUTIES: Prepare samples for the analysis and/or determination of causes of disease i.e. chemical residues, pH, EC, mycology etc. which would, inter alia, entail the following:
- Labelling of samples Collecting/taking samples for preparation (i.e. blood, water, soil, tissue).
- Preparation of sample material by eg. weighing, drying, cutting etc.
- Preparation of media (ELIZA kits). Preparation and staining of smears.
- Preparation of stains, buffers and reagents. Storage of samples.
- Packing and/or transport samples. Assist in decontamination and disposal of used samples.
- Removal of waste.
Perform routine analysis of samples under mentorship/supervision of senior personnel which would include inter alia the following:
- Visual inspection and collection of infected material if applicable.
- Perform extractions and basic analyses of samples.
- Perform bacterial isolations and confirmatory tests.
- Assist in routine identification of various types of pests/diseases (including bacteria, parasites etc.).
- Record analyses results.
- Perform basic maintenance on selected equipment and instrumentation.
- Report all faulty equipment and instrumentation.
- Maintain tidiness of laboratories, clean/sterilize glassware and equipment.
Perform basic maintenance and control functions of animal production stock:
- Daily care of animals (i.e cleaning of water troughs and adding health treatments to feed).
- Moving animals between camps.
- Report unhealthy animals, mortalities and have post mortems done.
Perform administrative and related functions, which would, inter alia, entail the following:
- Inventory control of equipment and consumables for equipment.
- Record keeping and updating of identified registers (i.e. Registration book, Sample referral; Samples received, records of results, inventory of standards, reagents and chemicals).
- Assist with invoicing of analyses. Comply with health and safety regulations.
HOW TO APPLY
APPLICATIONS: Quoting the reference number, must be forwarded to Mrs S Hlekiso, Private Bag X02, Bloemfontein, 9301 or delivered by Hand to Mrs S Hlekiso in Room 228, 2nd Floor, Admin Building, Glen. Email: recruitment@dard.gov.za
CLOSING DATE: 27 June 2025
NOTE: Applications must be submitted on form Z.83, obtainable from any Public Service Department. Only shortlisted candidates will submit transcript of results, Qualification certificates, driver’s license, identity document and a C.V.
Shortlisted candidates who possess foreign qualifications and/or short courses certificates must take it upon themselves to have their qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and must please attach proof of the level of their qualifications after evaluation on all applications.
Applicants are requested to complete the Z83 form properly and in full. Applications received after the closing date and those that do not comply with these instructions will not be considered. The onus is on the applicants to ensure that their applications are posted or hand delivered timeously. Applicants are respectfully informed that if no notification of appointment is received within 4 months of the closing date, they must accept that their
application was unsuccessful.
Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record check, citizenship verification, financial / asset record check, qualification / study verification and previous employment verification). Successful candidates will also be subjected to security clearance processes.
All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment (in compliance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency based assessments).
The competency assessment will be testing generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools.