General Worker & Groundsman Vacancies at the Department of Water and Sanitation

Department of Water and Sanitation

The Department of Water and Sanitation invites interested and suitably qualified candidates to apply for the positions of General Worker and Groundsman. These roles require a basic education level of an ABET Certificate, with higher qualifications considered an advantage. Experience in manual labor and knowledge of general maintenance, gardening, equipment handling, and safety procedures are valuable assets. Candidates should be prepared to work in various environments, including near water bodies and in confined spaces, while adhering to health and safety standards.

Successful applicants will be responsible for a range of duties including general maintenance of grounds, loading and unloading equipment, cleaning government vehicles and workstations, pruning and lawn care, and assisting with the upkeep of water infrastructure such as canals and dams. The positions offer a salary at Level 02 and require commitment to punctuality, productivity, and teamwork. Preference will be given to candidates with relevant experience and those from the local geographical areas. Applications must be submitted online through the recruitment portal by the closing date.

General Worker and Groundsman Positions Available in the Department of Water and Sanitation:

  • General Worker — Breede/Gouritz (Western Cape – Worcester)
  • General Worker (4 Posts) — Uitkeer (Southern Operations)
  • General Worker (15 Posts) — Groblersdal (Northern Operations) including Mechanical Maintenance (5), Electrical Maintenance (3), Civil Maintenance (7)
  • General Worker (4 Posts) — Nwanedi/Luphephe (Northern Operations)
  • General Worker (3 Posts) — Mutshedzi (Northern Operations)
  • General Worker (5 Posts) — Nzhelele Canals (Northern Operations)
  • General Worker (1 Post) — Nzhelele Dam (Northern Operations)
  • General Worker (6 Posts) — Nandoni Dam (Northern Operations)
  • General Worker (7 Posts) — Letaba System (Northern Operations)
  • General Worker (13 Posts) — Sterkrivier Canal (Northern Operations)
  • General Worker (7 Posts) — Roodeplaat Dam (Northern Operations)
  • Groundsman — Voelvlei Scheme (Western Cape)

The Department of Water and Sanitation invites applications for multiple General Worker and Groundsman positions across various locations in South Africa, as outlined in the recent job advertisement. These roles, including General Worker positions in Breede/Gouritz, Uitkeer, Groblersdal, and several Northern Operations sites, as well as a Groundsman position in Voelvlei Scheme, offer a salary of R138 486 per annum (Level 02). Candidates with an ABET Certificate and relevant experience in manual work, grounds maintenance, or handling equipment will have an advantage, with duties ranging from cleaning and maintaining infrastructure to supporting water resource strategies.

GENERAL WORKER REF NO: 071125/07
Branch: Infrastructure Management: Southern Operations
Dir: Southern Operations

SALARY: R138 486 per annum (Level 02)
CENTRE: Breede/Gouritz (Western Cape – Worcester)

REQUIREMENTS:

  • An ABET Certificate. Higher qualifications will serve as an added advantage.
  • Experience in performing manual work will serve as an added advantage.
  • Knowledge and Competencies: Basic knowledge of the following is essential:
  • General work in handling equipment and appliances.
  • Various general work, including lawn care processes.
  • Pruning and trimming processes and techniques.
  • Chemical use (dilution/mix) and chemical product knowledge.
  • Daily maintenance procedures for efficient machine/equipment performance.
  • Supporting water utilisation and water resource strategy.
  • Health and safety procedures.
  • Garden maintenance and planting practices.
  • Basic understanding of Government legislation.
  • Must be able and willing to work in or near rivers, dams, canals, and confined spaces.

DUTIES:

  • Perform general assistant work, including but not limited to:
  • Loading and off-loading furniture, equipment, and other goods to their relevant destinations.
  • Cleaning government vehicles, machinery, and equipment.
  • Cleaning relevant workstations and ensuring working areas are clean.
  • Cleaning lawns and pruning trees where necessary.
  • Cleaning and maintaining grounds, canals, etc.
  • Repairing tools and structures such as buildings, fences, around canal/dam areas, and benches using hand and power tools.
  • Mixing, spraying, or spreading fertilizers using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
  • Providing proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, planters, and other ground features.
  • Maintaining existing grounds/gardens by caring for sod, plants, and trees.
  • Raking and mulching leaves, irrigating plants and lawns.
  • Sweeping walkways, grounds, and cleaning buildings by sweeping and washing floors.
  • Performing laboring duties to support maintenance, repair, and construction of public infrastructure.
  • Assisting with cleaning and repairing water supply systems like canals, drains, dams, and pipelines.

ENQUIRIES: Ms. Mthenjana at Tel No: (071) 861 8066
APPLICATIONS: All applications to be submitted online on the following link: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/
NOTE: Preference will be given to candidates from the geographical area.

GENERAL WORKER REF NO: 071125/08 (X4 POSTS)
Branch: Infrastructure Management: Southern Operations
Dir: Southern Operations

SALARY: R138 486 per annum (Level 02)
CENTRE: Uitkeer

REQUIREMENTS:

  • An ABET Certificate. Higher qualifications will serve as an added advantage.
  • Knowledge of general work in handling equipment and appliances.
  • Knowledge of working on various general work, including lawn care processes.
  • Knowledge of pruning and trimming processes and techniques.
  • Basic knowledge of chemical use (dilution/mix) and chemical product knowledge.
  • Basic knowledge of daily maintenance procedures for efficient machine/equipment performance.
  • Basic knowledge in supporting water utilisation and water resource strategy.
  • Basic knowledge of health and safety procedures.
  • Basic understanding of Government legislation.

DUTIES:

  • Perform general assistant work.
  • Load and offload furniture, equipment, and any other goods to relevant destinations.
  • Clean government vehicles.
  • Clean relevant workstations.
  • Cut grass and clean pavements.
  • Cut and stockpile trees.

ENQUIRIES: Mr. S Cannon at Tel No: (063) 500 6215
APPLICATIONS: All applications to be submitted online on the following link: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/
NOTE: Preference will be given to candidates from the geographical area.

GENERAL WORKER REF NO: 071125/09 (X15 POSTS)
Branch: Infrastructure Management: Northern Operations
Dir: Operations Northern

SALARY: R138 486 per annum (Level 02)
CENTRE: Groblersdal:

  • Mechanical Maintenance (X5 Posts)
  • Electrical Maintenance (X3 Posts)
  • Civil Maintenance (X7 Posts)

REQUIREMENTS:

  • An ABET Certificate. Higher qualifications will serve as an added advantage.
  • Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate relevant work experience in a similar environment.
  • Knowledge of working on various general work, including lawn care processes, vegetation clearance, and general grounds maintenance.
  • Basic knowledge of maintenance practices for the efficient and safe upkeep of government water infrastructure and associated facilities.
  • Basic disciplinary knowledge in Occupational Health and Safety procedures.
  • Basic understanding of government legislation and policy implementation.
  • Expected to do practical during interviews.

DUTIES:

  • Provide general assistance to artisans and technicians in carrying out maintenance and operational tasks.
  • Perform loading and off-loading of equipment and any other items as directed by supervisor.
  • Carry out general maintenance activities, including fencing, weed control, gardening, painting, maintenance of fire breaks, and herbicide application.
  • Conduct general routine inspections.
  • Perform maintenance tasks on government water infrastructure and related facilities.
  • Report faults, defects, and safety hazards to supervisors promptly.
  • Adhere to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act and all related safety regulations.
  • Assist with other general duties as and when requested.

ENQUIRIES: Mr. ST Ngcobo Tel No: (013) 262 6839
APPLICATIONS: All applications to be submitted online on the following link: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/

GENERAL WORKER (X46 POSTS)
Branch: Infrastructure Management: Northern Operations
Dir: Operations Northern

SALARY: R138 486 per annum (Level 02)
CENTRE:

  • Nwanedi/Luphephe Ref No: 071125/10 (X4 Posts)
  • Mutshedzi Ref No: 071125/11 (X3 Posts)
  • Nzhelele Canals Ref No: 071125/12 (X5 Posts)
  • Nzhelele Dam Ref No: 071125/13 (X1 Post)
  • Nandoni Dam Ref No: 071125/14 (X6 Posts)
  • Letaba System Ref No: 071125/15 (X7 Posts)
  • Sterkrivier Canal Ref No: 071125/16 (X13 Posts)
  • Roodeplaat Dam Ref No: 071125/17 (X7 Posts)

REQUIREMENTS:

  • An ABET Certificate. Higher qualifications will serve as an added advantage.
  • Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate relevant work experience in a similar environment.
  • Knowledge of general work in handling gardening equipment and appliances.
  • Knowledge of working on various general work, including lawn care processes.
  • Basic knowledge of maintenance practices for the efficient and safe upkeep of government water infrastructure and associated facilities.

DUTIES:

  • Carry out general maintenance activities, including weed control, gardening, painting, maintenance of fire breaks, and herbicide application.
  • Conduct general routine inspections on Departmental infrastructure.
  • Perform maintenance tasks on government water infrastructure and related facilities such as canals, pipelines, dams, servitudes, terrain, and buildings.
  • Report faults, defects, and safety hazards to supervisors promptly.
  • Load and offload equipment.
  • Adhere to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act and all related safety regulations.
  • Assist with other general duties as and when requested.

ENQUIRIES:

  • Mr. KS Thantsha Tel No: (015) 307 8600 (Nwanedi/Luphephe, Mutshedzi, Nzhelele Dam, Nzhelele Canals, Nandoni Dam, Letaba canal system, and Sterkrivier canal)
  • Mr. A Naicker Tel No: (087) 943 3719 (Roodeplaat Dam)
    APPLICATIONS: All applications to be submitted online on the following link: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/

GROUNDSMAN REF NO: 071125/18
Branch: Infrastructure Management: Southern Operations
Dir: Operations Southern

SALARY: R138 486 per annum (Level 02)
CENTRE: Voelvlei Scheme (Western Cape)

REQUIREMENTS:

  • An ABET Certificate or relevant qualification.
  • Zero to one (1) year working experience. Added years of experience in performing manual work will be an added advantage.
  • Knowledge and Competencies:
  • Knowledge of working on various general work and handling equipment and appliances.
  • Knowledge of gardening equipment, including lawn care processes and competencies (pruning and trimming processes and techniques).
  • Knowledge of chemical use (dilution/mix) and chemical product knowledge.
  • Knowledge of daily maintenance procedures for efficient machine/equipment performance.
  • Basic knowledge in supporting water utilisation and water resource strategy.
  • Knowledge of health and safety procedures.
  • Knowledge of garden maintenance and planting practices.
  • Basic understanding of Government legislation.
  • Good communication skills and the ability to work in a team.
  • Must be able to work in or near rivers, dams, canals, and in confined spaces.
  • Must be able and willing to assist other schemes and maintenance teams when needed.
  • Must be punctual, productive, and loyal.

DUTIES:

  • Clean and maintain grounds and repair tools and structures such as buildings, fences, and benches using hand and power tools.
  • Mix, spray, or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, and trees using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
  • Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, and other grounds features.
  • Maintain existing grounds/gardens by caring for sod, plants, and trees.
  • Rake and mulch leaves and irrigate plants and lawns.
  • Sweep parking lots, walkways, and grounds; clean buildings by sweeping, washing floors, and cleaning windows.
  • Perform routine maintenance on equipment, repair minor damages, and refer major repairs to service providers.
  • Maintain accurate records, such as job cards and equipment repair logs.
  • Conduct inspections and report defects, such as cracks in structures, holes in embankments, and stagnant water.

ENQUIRIES: Ms. MA Lepota at Tel No: 071 861 5581
APPLICATIONS: All applications to be submitted online on the following link: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/
NOTE: Preference will be given to candidates from the geographical area.

CLOSING DATE: 07 November 2025

NOTE:
Interested applicants must submit their applications via the online link: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/. Other related documentation such as copies of qualifications, identity documents, driver’s licenses, etc., need not accompany the application when applying for a post, as such documentation must only be produced by shortlisted candidates during the interview date in line with DPSA circular 19 of 2022. With reference to applicants bearing professional or occupational registration, fields provided in Part B on the online Z83 must be completed as these fields are regarded as compulsory.

Failure to complete or disclose all required information will automatically disqualify the applicant. No late applications will be accepted. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to suitability checks (SAQA verification, reference checks, criminal and credit checks). SAQA evaluation certificate must accompany foreign qualifications (only when shortlisted). Applications that do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements will not be considered. All shortlisted candidates pertaining to Senior Management Services (SMS) posts will be subjected to a technical and competency assessment and a pre-entry certificate obtained from the National School of Government is required prior to the appointment. Candidates will be required to complete a financial disclosure form and undergo security clearance.

Foreigners or dual citizenship holders must provide a police clearance certificate from their country of origin (only when shortlisted). The Department of Water and Sanitation is an equal opportunity employer. In the filling of vacant posts, the objectives of section 195 (1) (i) of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (Act No: 108 of 1996), the Employment Equity imperatives as defined by the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No: 55 of 1998), and relevant Human Resources policies of the Department will be taken into consideration.

Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you do not hear from us within three (3) months of this advertisement, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful. Faxed applications will not be considered. The department reserves the right not to fill these positions. Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply, and preference will be given to the EE Targets.

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