The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in South Africa is responsible for ensuring the sustainable management of the country’s water resources and the provision of sanitation services. The department plays a crucial role in protecting water quality, developing infrastructure such as dams and pipelines, and ensuring equitable access to water for communities, agriculture, and industry.
As part of its ongoing commitment to improving water resource management and strengthening service delivery, the Department has announced several new employment opportunities across various professional and technical fields. These vacancies provide excellent career prospects for qualified candidates in engineering, finance, administration, and technical support.
Application Details
All applications must be submitted online via the official recruitment portal: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/, Closing Date: 27 March 2026
Important Application Notes
Applicants should take note of the following requirements when applying:
- Applications must be submitted online through the official DWS e-Recruitment portal.
- Supporting documents such as copies of qualifications, identity documents, and driver’s licences should not be submitted during application. These will only be required from shortlisted candidates during the interview stage, in line with DPSA Circular 19 of 2022.
- Applicants who have professional or occupational registrations must ensure all relevant fields are completed in Part B of the online Z83 form, as these fields are compulsory.
- Incomplete applications or missing information will result in automatic disqualification.
- Late applications will not be accepted.
Shortlisted candidates will undergo suitability checks, including:
- Qualification verification through SAQA
- Reference checks
- Criminal record checks
- Credit checks
Candidates with foreign qualifications must submit a SAQA evaluation certificate if shortlisted, For Senior Management Service (SMS) posts, shortlisted candidates will be required to:
- Complete a technical and competency assessment
- Obtain a Pre-Entry Certificate from the National School of Government
- Undergo a practical assessment and integrity evaluation
- Complete a financial disclosure form and security clearance process
Applicants with dual citizenship or foreign nationality must provide a police clearance certificate from their country of origin when shortlisted.
Employment Equity
The Department is committed to promoting employment equity and transformation in accordance with:
- The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
- The Employment Equity Act, 1998
- Relevant Human Resource policies of the Department
Preference will be given to candidates who assist the department in meeting its Employment Equity targets, and women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If applicants do not receive feedback within three months after the closing date, they should consider their applications unsuccessful. The department also reserves the right not to fill advertised positions.
List of Available Positions
Senior Management and Professional Posts
- Chief Engineer Grade A – Bloemfontein
- Control Engineering Technologist Grade A – Pretoria
Deputy Director Positions
- Deputy Director: Revenue Management – Bloemfontein
- Deputy Director: Financial Management – Bloemfontein
- Deputy Director: Corporate Services – Bloemfontein
Engineering and Technical Positions
- Engineer Production Grade A–C (Civil) – Pretoria
- Control Engineering Technician Grade A – Pretoria (Open Channel Systems)
- Control Engineering Technician Grade A – Pretoria (Dam Design)
- Engineering Technologist Production Grade A–C – Pretoria (Bulk Pipe Systems)
- Engineering Technologist Production Grade A–C – Pretoria (Dam Design)
- Engineering Technician Production Grade A–C – Pretoria (Bulk Pipe Systems)
- Engineering Technician Production Grade A–C (Civil) – Tzaneen
- Engineering Technician Production Grade A–C (Electrical)
Finance and Administration Positions
- Assistant Director: Revenue Management (2 Posts) – Bloemfontein
- Assistant Director: Management Accounting – Bloemfontein
- Assistant Director: Human Resources – Bloemfontein
- Office Manager – Bloemfontein
Accounting and Supply Chain Positions
- Senior State Accountant (2 Posts) – Bloemfontein & Pretoria
- Senior State Accountant: Revenue Management (2 Posts) – Pretoria & Kimberley
- Senior State Accountant: Management Accounting (2 Posts) – Kimberley & Pretoria
- Senior Supply Chain Practitioner – Bloemfontein
Entry-Level and Operational Positions
- Assistant Technical Officer
- Water Control Aid (4 Posts)
- Laboratory Cleaner (2 Posts)
- General Worker (3 Posts)
Erratum Notice
The previously advertised position Engineer Production Grade A–C (Civil) – Ref No: 200326/03 contained an error regarding the driver’s licence requirement. The correct requirement is the disclosure of a valid unexpired driver’s licence, and the closing date has been extended to 27 March 2026.
Final Thoughts
These vacancies present a valuable opportunity for professionals and skilled workers to join the Department of Water and Sanitation and contribute to the development and protection of South Africa’s water resources. The department offers competitive salary packages, career development opportunities, and the chance to work on important national infrastructure and water management projects. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date through the official recruitment portal.
