Environmental Compliance Officer (Eco)

Environmental Compliance Officer (Eco); Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

Eco is seeking an experienced Environmentalist to join its Risk Management team in South Africa. The role focuses on water use licensing, environmental compliance, sustainability initiatives, and risk management across multiple operations.

You will ensure compliance with the National Water Act, secure and maintain water authorisations, and engage with regulatory authorities. The successful candidate will lead audits, monitor water quality, and drive reporting and improvements.

Qualifications

• BTech, Diploma, or Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Sciences, Water Resource Management, or a related field.
• 3–5 years' experience in environmental compliance, water use licensing, or environmental risk management.
• Strong understanding of National Water Act, Water Use Licences (WUL), General Authorisations, and environmental legislation.
• Experience working with government departments and regulatory bodies.
• Strong report writing, auditing, and environmental assessment skills.
• Valid Code EB driver's licence.
• South African permanent resident.

Responsibilities

• Manage Water Use Licence (WUL) applications, renewals, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure completion of outstanding water authorisations and regulatory obligations.
• Monitor compliance with water-related legislation and permit conditions.
• Liaise with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), consultants, and external stakeholders.
• Conduct site assessments and provide recommendations on water management and conservation.
• Monitor water usage and ensure adherence to legal requirements.
• Implement and maintain the Environmental Risk & Compliance Programme.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation and authorisations.
• Assist with environmental approvals for new projects, expansions, and operational changes.
• Monitor legislative developments and update environmental policies accordingly.
• Conduct internal environmental audits.
• Coordinate external environmental audits.
• Investigate non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain environmental authorisation and compliance records.
• Oversee water sampling, testing, and laboratory analysis.
• Interpret water quality reports and recommend corrective measures.
• Implement preventative strategies to manage contamination risks.
• Ensure wastewater systems comply with legal discharge limits.
• Act as the primary liaison with environmental authorities and consultants.
• Represent the organisation in public participation processes.
• Facilitate environmental awareness and compliance training initiatives.

Skills

Environmental compliance

Water use licensing

Risk management

Auditing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

BTech / Diploma / Bachelor's in Environmental Science or related

Tools

Regulatory frameworks knowledge

Job description

A well-established and growing organisation is seeking an experienced Environmentalist to join its Risk Management team. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of water use licensing, environmental compliance, sustainability initiatives, and risk management across multiple operations.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring compliance with the National Water Act, securing and maintaining water authorisations, managing environmental risks, and engaging with regulatory authorities.

Key Responsibilities

Water Use Licensing & Compliance

• Manage and drive Water Use Licence (WUL) applications, renewals, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure completion of outstanding water authorisations and regulatory obligations.
• Monitor compliance with water-related legislation and permit conditions.
• Liaise with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), consultants, and external stakeholders.
• Conduct site assessments and provide recommendations on water management and conservation.
• Monitor water usage and ensure adherence to legal requirements.

Environmental Risk & Compliance

• Implement and maintain the Environmental Risk & Compliance Programme.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation and authorisations.
• Assist with environmental approvals for new projects, expansions, and operational changes.
• Monitor legislative developments and update environmental policies accordingly.

Environmental Auditing & Monitoring

• Conduct internal environmental audits.
• Coordinate external environmental audits.
• Investigate non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain environmental authorisation and compliance records.

Water Quality Management

• Oversee water sampling, testing, and laboratory analysis.
• Interpret water quality reports and recommend corrective measures.
• Implement preventative strategies to manage contamination risks.
• Ensure wastewater systems comply with legal discharge limits.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary liaison with environmental authorities and consultants.
• Represent the organisation in public participation processes.
• Facilitate environmental awareness and compliance training initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

• BTech, Diploma, or Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Sciences, Water Resource Management, or a related field.
• 3-5 years' experience in environmental compliance, water use licensing, or environmental risk management.
• Strong understanding of:
  • National Water Act
  • Water Use Licences (WUL)
  • General Authorisations
  • Environmental legislation and compliance frameworks
• Experience working with government departments and regulatory bodies.
• Strong report writing, auditing, and environmental assessment skills.
• Valid Code EB driver's licence.
• South African permanent resident.