SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT

Department of Agriculture

Directorate: Food Safety and Quality Assurance

Reference number: 3/3/1/61/2026
Salary: R237 453 per annum (Level 05)
Centre: Western Cape: Stellenbosch
Province: Western Cape
Closing date: 7 August 2026
Circular: No 26 of 2026

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Requirements

Applicant must be in possession of a Grade 12 certificate. Job Related Work Experience: Three (03) years appropriate experience. Job related knowledge: Knowledge of Public Service and Departmental prescripts/ policies. Agricultural Product Standards Act, Act 119 of 1990. Liquor Products Act, Act 60 of 1989. Job related skills: Knowledge and application of the laboratory quality system. Knowledge of work-related policies and procedures. Laboratory techniques and safety. Problem solving techniques. Effective communication. Provisioning Administrative system (chemicals, equipment etc.). Data processing. Applicable relevant analytical techniques. Effective managing of stores and ordering of miscellaneous stores. Use of relevant laboratory and office equipment. Manual dexterity. Communication capabilities. Insight capabilities in the application of quality assurance documentation. Accuracy, thoroughness and timeousness. Computer skills, application/usage of computer software. Code 08 Drivers license. Alert and troubleshooting skills. Administrative and organisational skills. Language capabilities with regard to the understating of quality system documentation. Planning skills. Self-developmental inclined, Ability to work in a team. Training skills/give guidance. Willingness to work extended hours. Handling of hazardous chemicals.

Duties

Prepare samples and perform routine analysis for the determination of chemical residues / liquor products composition components (quality control): Labelling of samples. Collecting/taking samples for preparation (fruits, vegetables and or other agricultural products). Preparations of sample material by weighing, drying, cutting etc. Preparation of stains, buffets and reagents. Visual inspection and collection of infected material if possible. Perform extractions and basic analyses of samples. Record analyses results. Storage of samples. Packing and / or transport samples. Assist in decontamination and disposal of used samples. Removal of waste. Perform basic maintenance on selected equipment and instrumentation. Report all faulty equipment and instrumentation. Perform verification and calibration on selected equipment and instrumentation. Maintain tidiness of laboratories, clean/sterilize glassware and equipment. Clean laboratory facilities. Clean glassware and laboratory equipment. Perform administrative and related functions. Inventory control of equipment and consumables of equipment. Record keeping and updating of identified registers (registration book, samples referral, samples received, records of results, inventory of standards, reagents, chemicals, waste removal). Assist with invoicing of analyses. Comply with health and safety regulations, Mentoring of Laboratory Assistants.

Where to send your application

Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 or by email SLArecruit61@nda.gov.za

Enquiries

Ms Xoliswa Tlali Tel No: (021) 809 1643

Note

EE Target: African Males and Females and Persons with disability.

Taken from Public Service Vacancy Circular 26 of 2026, published by the Department of Public Service and Administration on 24 July 2026. Open the PDF to check this post against the original. Last checked 30 July 2026.

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