Environmental Officer

SUMMARY:
We’re seeking a driven and detail-oriented Environmental Officer to lead our mission of building world-class engineering projects with minimal environmental impact. In this role, you’ll be the guardian of sustainability—ensuring our operations meet (and exceed) environmental regulations, championing eco-friendly practices, and embedding responsible resource management into every stage of our projects.

POSITION INFO:
JOB DESCRIPTION INFORMATION:
 
Job Title:                                 Environmental Officer.
Employment Type:               Permanent
Work Model:                          Onsite
 

JOB CONTEXT:


The Environmental Officer ensures the company’s environmental management systems are implemented and maintained across all sites, enabling legal compliance, risk mitigation, and performance improvement aligned to ISO 14001 and related standards. The role drives environmental compliance, reporting, training, and stakeholder engagement to support sustainable operations and project delivery.


Duties and Responsibilities:
Environmental Management System (EMS)

• Implement, maintain, and continually improve an ISO 45001:2018-aligned OHS management - Implement, maintain, and continuously improve the ISO 14001:2015-aligned EMS across head office and all operational sites.
• Coordinate environmental aspects/impacts assessments; maintain site-specific risk registers and environmental management plans (EMPs).
• Lead internal EMS audits; track findings and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Support integration with ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 45001 (health & safety) systems where applicable.

• Ensure compliance with South African environmental legislation and by-laws, including:
• NEMA (National Environmental Management Act) and specific environmental management Acts (Air Quality, Waste, Biodiversity, Integrated Coastal Management as applicable).
• NEM:AQA (Air Quality Act) and Atmospheric Emission Licences (AEL) where relevant.
• NEM:WA (Waste Act) including waste classification, licensing, and manifests.
• NWA (National Water Act) including water use authorisations (GA/WUL), stormwater, effluent, and pollution prevention.
• EIA Regulations (GN R982 as amended) for listed activities.
• MPRDA (where applicable), municipal by-laws, and applicable SANS standards (e.g., SANS 10228–10234 for hazardous chemicals).
• Manage permits, licences, and authorisations; liaise with authorities and consultants.
• Maintain a legal register and conduct periodic compliance audits/assessments.

• Oversee waste management (segregation, storage, transport, disposal, cradle-to-grave), hazardous substances, spill prevention and response, energy/water efficiency, emissions, noise, and biodiversity protection.
• Develop and implement site-specific method statements and environmental control plans for projects and maintenance activities.
• Coordinate environmental monitoring (water, air, noise, soil) and ensure calibration and data integrity.

• Develop quality Environmental requirements in line with specified requirements for all tenders and ensure timely submission thereof.
• Conduct site visits and ensure compliance at once tender has been awarded to YNF.

• Deliver environmental inductions, toolbox talks, and competency training.
• Build awareness and ownership with site teams, subcontractors, and suppliers; drive continual improvement initiatives.

• Lead environmental incident reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective action closure.
• Maintain emergency preparedness and response plans; conduct drills (e.g., spill response).
• Lead environmental incident reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective action closure.
• Maintain emergency preparedness and response plans; conduct drills (e.g., spill response).

• Engage with clients, communities (when applicable), and regulators on environmental matters.
• Support environmental inputs for bids, method statements, and project start-up.

• Maintain controlled documents, records, and dashboards; ensure version control and audit readiness.
• Use digital systems to log inspections, audits, incidents, and performance metrics.

• Compile monthly, quarterly, and annual environmental performance reports (KPIs, trends, incidents, near misses, corrective actions).
• Support ESG/sustainability disclosures and client reporting requirements.
• Track resource use (energy, fuel, water) and waste/recycling performance; identify reduction initiatives.

• 3–5 years’ relevant environmental management experience in engineering services, construction, mining, energy, water, manufacturing, or related sectors with multi-site exposure.
• Proven experience implementing and maintaining ISO 14001 EMS across multiple sites/projects.
• Track record in legal compliance management, permitting, environmental monitoring, and reporting.
• Experience conducting internal audits, inspections, incident investigations, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience training site personnel and subcontractors.
• Familiarity with digital HSE/EMS platforms and data dashboards.

• National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or related field.
• Advantageous: Postgraduate qualification or specialised certificates in environmental law, sustainable development, or environmental engineering.

• Demonstrable knowledge and practical experience with ISO 14001:2015 (required).
• Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 for integrated management systems (advantageous).
• Internal Auditor certification for ISO 14001:2015 (required); Lead Auditor (advantageous).

• Registration or eligibility with SACNASP (Professional or Candidate Natural Scientist) – advantageous/role-dependent.
• EAPASA registration if responsibilities include EIA practitioner activities – advantageous.
• SAIOH or related HSE bodies – advantageous.

• HIRA/Environmental Risk Assessment training (required).
• Legal liability training (NEMA sections 28/30 awareness) – advantageous.
• Hazardous Waste/Transportation training aligned to SANS and NEM:WA – advantageous.
• Spill response and emergency management training – advantageous.
• SAMTRAC or equivalent HSE qualification – advantageous.
• Valid driver’s licence (Code B) and willingness to travel.

• Strong understanding of the OHS Act and relevant Regulations (Construction, General Safety, Driven Machinery, Electrical, HCA, NIHL, Asbestos, Lead).
• Risk assessment methodologies (baseline/issue-based/continuous) and hierarchy of controls.
• Permit-to-work and critical controls for high-risk activities (work at height, lifting, confined spaces, electrical, excavations).
• Statutory inspection regimes and coordination with Approved Inspection Authorities and competent inspectors.
• Occupational hygiene basics: exposure monitoring, controls, medical surveillance coordination.
• Emergency preparedness, incident investigation, and root cause analysis.
• Data and document control; KPI tracking and trend analysis (Excel/Sheets, Power BI or similar).
• Internal auditing methods per ISO 19011.

• Strong situational awareness and intervention courage.
• Clear, assertive communication and ability to influence contractors and site teams.
• Planning, prioritization, and follow-through across multiple concurrent sites.
• Problem solving, resilience, and adaptability under project conditions.
• Ethical, professional, and safety-first mindset.

• 3–5 years’ safety management experience in engineering services, construction, mining, energy, water, manufacturing, or related sectors with multi-site exposure.
• Proven experience implementing ISO 45001-aligned OHSMS, conducting risk assessments, and controlling critical risks on active sites.
• Demonstrated competence in contractor management, site audits, and safety file control.
• Track record in incident investigation, corrective action management, and regulatory reporting.
• Experience delivering inductions, toolbox talks, and role-based training.
• Familiarity with digital HSE systems and reporting dashboards.

• Zero significant environmental incidents; reduction in minor incidents/near misses.
• Legal compliance status (zero enforcement actions; timely permit renewals).
• EMS audit results and close-out of non-conformances within agreed timelines.
• Resource efficiency improvements (energy, water) and waste reduction/recycling rates.
• On-time, accurate regulatory and client reporting.
• Training coverage and competency improvements across sites.
• Continuous improvement initiatives implemented and verified.

• Office-based with frequent site travel nationwide, including industrial and construction environments.
• Use of PPE as required; potential exposure to work at heights or confined spaces depending on sites (training provided).
• Occasional after-hours work for incidents, shutdowns, or audits.

• Will be agreed based on qualifications, experience and previous earnings.