Job Description

Environmental Specialist - 6 Month Contract

Job Purpose:

To lead the assessment and planning of environmental impacts related to the development of a 10,000-capacity beef cattle feedlot and high-throughput abattoir, ensuring compliance with environmental legislation, sustainable design practices, and responsible waste and biodiversity management.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct a detailed

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

in compliance with

NEMA

and associated regulations. Identify, assess, and propose mitigation strategies for potential environmental risks, including: Soil and groundwater contamination. Waste and effluent disposal. Air and odour emissions. Biodiversity and ecosystem disruption. Oversee

environmental baseline studies

: soil, water, air, flora, and fauna. Advise on environmentally sustainable feedlot and abattoir layout options, including natural resource management. Ensure alignment of project activities with

national and provincial environmental regulations

, including licensing and permit requirements. Design and recommend

waste handling and environmental monitoring systems

, including: Manure and slurry management. Byproduct disposal (bones, hides, offal). Wastewater runoff and treatment. Coordinate stakeholder and community consultations where required as part of the EIA process. Prepare the

Environmental and Regulatory Compliance section

of the feasibility report. Collaborate with engineers, architects, and operational planners to integrate environmental safeguards into designs and operations.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree or higher in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related field. Minimum of

5 years' professional experience

conducting EIAs, environmental management plans (EMPs), and regulatory submissions for

agricultural or industrial infrastructure projects

.

Registered with the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA)

or eligible for registration at the time of appointment. Demonstrated experience working in rural or environmentally sensitive areas is highly preferred.

Key Skills and Competencies:

Deep understanding of environmental legislation, particularly

NEMA

,

EIA Regulations

,

National Waste Management Strategy

, and

Water Act

. Excellent skills in environmental risk analysis, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability planning. Ability to integrate environmental considerations into technical designs. Strong report writing and presentation skills. Comfortable working in multidisciplinary teams and remote field conditions.

Working Conditions:

Based in the Eastern Cape with frequent site visits to Ngqushwa Local Municipality. Fieldwork in rural and semi-developed areas, with responsibility for environmental data collection, stakeholder interviews, and monitoring assessments.
Job Type: Temporary
Contract length: 6 months

Education:

Bachelors (Required)
Experience:

conducting EIAs, environmental management plans (EMPs): 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:

EAPASA registration (Required)
Work Location: In person

Application Deadline: 2025/06/30