Overberg District Municipality Firefighter Vacancies (Swellendam & Grabouw) – Apply Before 20 March 2026.

Overberg District Municipality is inviting applications from suitably qualified individuals to apply for permanent Firefighter positions within the Directorate: Community Services, Department: Emergency Services. These vacancies are available in the towns of Swellendam and Grabouw in the Western Cape Province.

The municipality plays a vital role in providing essential emergency services to communities across the Overberg region. Firefighters are responsible for protecting lives, property, and the environment during fires, disasters, and other emergency incidents. This opportunity is ideal for individuals who are passionate about public safety, emergency response, and serving their communities.

• Position: Firefighter (2 Posts)
• Duration: Permanent Position
• Salary: R238 056 – R309 012 per year (T8 Salary Level) plus municipal benefits
• Location: Western Cape, South Africa (Swellendam and Grabouw)
• Closing Date: 20 March 2026

The successful candidates will become part of a professional team that responds to fires, rescues, hazardous material incidents, medical emergencies, and natural disasters. The positions are permanent and offer stable employment with competitive municipal benefits.

Applications are open to individuals who meet the required qualifications and experience, and who are physically and mentally capable of performing firefighting duties in demanding emergency environments.

Firefighter Vacancies Overview

Overberg District Municipality is recruiting two Firefighters to strengthen emergency response services within the district.

Available Positions

• Firefighter (1 Position – Swellendam)
• Firefighter (1 Position – Grabouw)

These positions fall under the Community Services Directorate and will operate within the Emergency Services Department.

Successful candidates will be responsible for responding to emergency incidents, supporting disaster management operations, assisting communities during crises, and participating in fire prevention and safety education initiatives.

Location of Posts

The positions are available in two towns within the Overberg District in the Western Cape.

Swellendam Firefighter Position

The firefighter appointed in Swellendam will assist with emergency operations within the town and surrounding rural areas. The region frequently requires emergency services for veld fires, structural fires, road accidents, and disaster response operations.

Grabouw Firefighter Position

The firefighter appointed in Grabouw will support emergency response operations in the town and nearby communities. Grabouw is known for agricultural activities and rural settlements, which require rapid response to fire incidents, hazardous materials situations, and rescue operations.

Both locations require firefighters who are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies.

Salary Package

The position offers a competitive salary aligned with municipal salary scales.

Salary Scale

• T8 Salary Level
• Annual Salary: R238 056 – R309 012

Employees will also receive the normal fringe benefits offered by a local authority, which may include:

• Pension contributions
• Medical aid benefits
• Leave benefits
• Municipal employee benefits
• Opportunities for training and professional development

Municipal employment provides long-term stability and opportunities for career growth in emergency services.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications and experience requirements in order to be considered for the position.

Educational Requirements

• Grade 12 / Matric Certificate or higher qualification

Experience Requirements

• At least two years of continuous operational experience as a Learner Firefighter
• Alternatively, applicants may have served as a Firefighter within a municipal fire service or a designated fire service organisation

Professional Certificates Required

Applicants must have the following certifications:

• Fire Fighter 1 Certificate
• Hazmat Awareness Certificate
• First Aid Level 3 Certificate

These certifications ensure that candidates have the necessary knowledge and skills to respond effectively to fire and emergency incidents.

Driver’s Licence Requirements

Applicants must possess the following:

• Valid Code C1 driver’s licence

The ability to drive emergency vehicles is essential in firefighting operations. Firefighters are often required to drive fire engines or assist with the operation of emergency vehicles during incidents.

Physical and Medical Requirements

Due to the demanding nature of firefighting work, candidates must meet strict physical and medical standards.

Applicants must be:

• Physically fit
• Mentally fit
• Capable of working in high-pressure emergency situations

Candidates must also meet the following medical requirement:

• Medical Test in accordance with NFPA 1582 standards

NFPA 1582 is a medical standard designed specifically for firefighters to ensure they are capable of performing physically demanding rescue and firefighting tasks safely.

Criminal Record Requirement

Applicants must have:

• No criminal record

Firefighters are entrusted with public safety responsibilities and must maintain a high level of integrity and professionalism.

Background checks will be conducted during the recruitment process.

Language Requirements

Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in at least two of the three official languages of the Western Cape:

• English
• Afrikaans
• isiXhosa

Effective communication is essential for emergency coordination, teamwork, and assisting community members during crisis situations.

Key Responsibilities of the Firefighter

The appointed firefighters will be responsible for performing operational functions as required by the Fire Act and municipal emergency service regulations.

Firefighters are responsible for protecting lives and property, responding to emergencies, and providing humanitarian assistance during disasters.

Firefighting Operations

One of the primary duties of firefighters is to respond to fire incidents and extinguish fires in residential, commercial, and industrial environments.

Responsibilities include:

• Responding rapidly to fire emergency calls
• Operating firefighting equipment and fire engines
• Controlling and extinguishing fires
• Preventing the spread of fires to surrounding structures
• Protecting people and property during fire incidents
• Working as part of a coordinated emergency response team

Firefighters must also assess fire scenes and take appropriate action to control and manage incidents effectively.

Rescue Operations

Firefighters play an important role in rescuing individuals trapped in dangerous situations.

Rescue responsibilities include:

• Vehicle accident rescues
• Structural collapse rescues
• Rescue operations during natural disasters
• Assisting injured or trapped individuals
• Supporting emergency medical services during rescue situations

These rescue operations require teamwork, technical skills, and calm decision-making under pressure.

Hazardous Materials Response

Firefighters must also assist with incidents involving hazardous materials.

Hazardous material responsibilities include:

• Identifying hazardous substances
• Securing dangerous scenes
• Protecting the public and environment from chemical hazards
• Supporting specialised hazmat teams during incidents
• Following safety procedures when handling dangerous materials

The Hazmat Awareness Certificate prepares firefighters to identify and respond safely to hazardous incidents.

Emergency Medical Services Support

Firefighters frequently assist with emergency medical services during incidents.

Medical responsibilities include:

• Providing first aid assistance to injured individuals
• Supporting paramedics during emergency responses
• Stabilising injured victims until medical professionals arrive
• Assisting with medical emergencies at accident scenes

First Aid Level 3 training ensures firefighters are capable of delivering basic emergency medical care.

Humanitarian Services

Firefighters also provide humanitarian assistance to communities during emergencies and disasters.

Humanitarian services include:

• Animal rescue operations
• Assisting communities during floods
• Responding to storm damage incidents
• Supporting disaster management teams
• Helping vulnerable individuals during emergencies

These services are vital in protecting communities during natural disasters and crisis situations.

Fire Prevention Activities

In addition to emergency response duties, firefighters play a key role in preventing fires and educating the public about fire safety.

Fire prevention responsibilities include:

• Conducting fire safety inspections
• Participating in community awareness campaigns
• Educating residents on fire prevention methods
• Supporting fire safety programmes in schools and communities

These activities help reduce the number of fire incidents and improve community safety.

Public Fire and Life Safety Education

Firefighters are also responsible for educating the public on safety practices.

Education activities may include:

• Fire safety demonstrations
• Community awareness programmes
• Training residents on emergency preparedness
• Providing safety guidance during community events

Public education helps communities understand how to respond during emergencies and prevent dangerous situations.

Incident Command Responsibilities

Firefighters may be required to take control of small to medium fire incidents.

Responsibilities include:

• Assessing emergency situations
• Coordinating response efforts
• Directing firefighting teams
• Ensuring the safety of personnel and the public
• Reporting incident details to supervisors

These responsibilities require strong leadership and decision-making abilities.

Operational Readiness Responsibilities

The successful candidates will also be responsible for ensuring that firefighting vehicles and equipment are always ready for emergency use.

Responsibilities include:

• Conducting regular inspections of vehicles
• Checking firefighting equipment
• Ensuring emergency gear is functional and safe
• Reporting equipment faults to supervisors
• Maintaining operational readiness at all times

Proper equipment maintenance ensures firefighters can respond effectively during emergencies.

Required Competencies for the Position

The competency level for this position is Level 2, as stipulated in Annexure A of the Municipal Staff Regulations Government Notice No. 890 published in Government Gazette 45181 on 20 September 2021.

Candidates must demonstrate a range of professional, functional, and personal competencies.

Core Professional Competencies

Candidates must demonstrate the following professional competencies:

• Community and customer focus
• Problem-solving ability
• Negotiating and influencing skills
• Resilience and adaptability
• Strong communication skills
• Ethics and professionalism

These competencies ensure firefighters can serve communities effectively.

Functional Competencies

Functional competencies required for the position include:

• Firefighting operations
• Rescue operations
• Special operations such as hazardous materials response and urban search and rescue
• Fire safety and prevention
• Emergency medical care
• Safety and welfare management
• Call taking and emergency dispatch support

These technical competencies are critical for emergency service operations.

Public Service Orientation Competencies

Candidates must also demonstrate competencies that support effective service delivery, including:

• Strong interpersonal relationships
• Service delivery orientation
• Commitment to helping communities during emergencies

Public service values are central to municipal emergency services.

Personal Competencies

Personal competencies expected from candidates include:

• Action and outcome orientation
• Resilience during stressful situations
• Change readiness
• Cognitive ability
• Learning orientation
• Effective problem solving

These attributes enable firefighters to adapt to challenging emergency environments.

Management and Leadership Competencies

Although this is not a senior management position, firefighters must demonstrate leadership abilities in operational situations.

Key leadership competencies include:

• Impact and influence
• Team orientation
• Direction setting
• Coaching and mentoring colleagues

Firefighters often work in teams and must support each other during complex emergency responses.

Job Enquiries

For further information about the position, applicants may contact:

Mr R Geldenhuys
Telephone: 028 425 1157

This contact can assist with queries related to the duties and requirements of the position.

Application Closing Date

Closing Date: 20 March 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid delays.

Late applications will not be considered.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the official Overberg District Municipality Application Form, which can be downloaded from the municipal website.

Required application documents include:

• Completed ODM application form
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Certified copies of qualifications
• Certified copy of ID document
• Certified copy of driver’s licence
• Contact details of three references from current and previous employers, including email addresses

Applications must be submitted to:

Department: Human Resources
Overberg District Municipality
26 Long Street
Bredasdorp
7280

Attention: Ms Anita August

Applications may also be sent via email to: [email protected]

Because Bredasdorp does not currently have a functioning Post Office, applicants are encouraged to deliver applications by hand or submit them via email.

Incomplete applications or applications submitted without proof of qualifications will not be processed.

Important Notes for Applicants

Overberg District Municipality follows strict recruitment policies to ensure fairness and transparency.

Applicants should note the following:

• The municipality supports Equal Opportunity Employment
• Candidates from designated groups are encouraged to apply
• Applicants may be required to undergo evaluations during the selection process
• Previous employers and references may be contacted
• Qualification verification will be conducted
• Criminal and credit checks may be performed

The municipality reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise the position if necessary.

Protection of Personal Information

Overberg District Municipality complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act 4 of 2013.

By applying for this position, applicants agree that their personal information may be recorded and processed as part of the recruitment process.

Notification of Application Outcome

If applicants do not receive feedback within 90 days after the closing date, they should consider their application unsuccessful.

Employment Conditions

The successful candidate will be required to:

• Sign an employment contract
• Complete a declaration of interest
• Sign a performance agreement

New employees will be appointed on probation.

Probation Period

The appointed firefighter will be subject to a probationary period.

Probation conditions include:

• Minimum probation period: 3 months
• Maximum probation period: 12 months

Performance will be evaluated during this period to ensure the employee meets the required standards of the municipality.