Jobs · National · Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Field Assistants: Seabirds
Approximately Fifteen Months Contract)
Closes Monday 9 November 2026 at 16:00
The circular is the only authoritative source. Open the PDF at page 77 (opens in new tab)
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Two field assistant posts doing seabird research and monitoring on Marion Island for about fifteen months. Suits people with a national diploma or a relevant natural science qualification who can work
- Duties: carry out biological research, fieldwork and seabird monitoring using a workplan set by the project managers, keep accurate records and computer databases, and report progress regularly.
- Must-have qualification: National Diploma (NQF Level 6) or a relevant qualification in Natural Science.
- Must-have experience: 0 to 1 year at Marion Island, plus field surveys, data collection, and bird identification and handling.
- Other requirements: knowledge of environmental legislation, public service procedures, physical fitness, and the ability to handle seabird adults and chicks.
- Based at Marion Island for a full year, from April 2027 to May 2028. There is no option to return before the end of the expedition.
- The text does not give a closing date or instructions on how to apply. Enquiries can be made to Leshia Visagie, Makhudu Masotla or Azwianewi Makhado.
Generated by claude-haiku-5-5 from the text below; it may be wrong or incomplete. Original wording, page 77 (opens in new tab)
Requirements
- National Diploma (NQF Level 6) or relevant qualification in Natural Science.
- 0– 1-year experience required in Marion Island.
- Knowledge of environmental legislation.
- Public Service and Departmental procedures and prescripts.
- Experience in field surveys, research administration, data collection and management, bird’s identification & handling, disseminate information, report writing and recording.
- Must have good attention to detail and be meticulous in data collection and demonstrate experience to conduct scientific monitoring relating to seabirds to a high standard.
- Must be self-motivated and able to work at a remote place away from family and friends with minimal supervision.
Duties
- Undertake biological research, fieldwork and monitoring according to a workplan as devised by the project managers.
- Make day-to-day decisions about work priorities and fieldwork protocols.
- Maintain accurate records of the work and computer databases of the work.
- Regularly report to and update the project manager on progress of the project.
- The applicants must have determination, physical fitness and the ability to work under harsh environmental conditions subject to extremes of weather; a desire to work with animals, including handling of seabird adults and chicks, which require empathy for the birds.
- Successful applicants will spend a full year (April 2027 to May 2028) at Marion Island.
- Note that there is no option to return before the end of the expedition, once you land at the island.
- The well-equipped new base station has full e-mail, fax and satellite telephone facilities.
How to apply
All applications to be submitted online on the following link: https://erecruitment.environment.gov.za/
New to the Z83 form? Read the application guide.
Enquiries
Leshia Visagie at (082) 447 9302, Makhudu Masotla at (079) 220 8888, Azwianewi Makhado at (082) 377 3088
Notes from the department
- The incumbent will execute duties at a Sub/Antarctic Base and adhere to the health, safety and environmental requirements.
- The successful applicant will spend a full year (April 2027 to May 2028) at Marion Island.
- There is no option to return to South Africa before May 2028.
- The ability to work and live with small groups of people is thus essential.
- Although the base is well-equipped with e- mail, fax and satellite telephone facilities, the applicant has to be self-sufficient and self-motivated.
- The location may affect both the physical and mental well- being of the incumbent, their family and close relationships.
- Candidates must be physically fit, mentally strong and prepared for physically challenging and satisfying work.
- In addition the successful candidates may often be called upon to work long hours in extreme conditions on duties unrelated to their function.
- Short-listed candidates will be subjected to screening and security vetting to determine their suitability for employment.
- Appointment to these positions is subject to a rigorous medical examination as well as psychometric assessment, which will be arranged for at no cost to the applicants.
As printed in Circular 38 of 2026 · page 77 · open the PDF (opens in new tab)
POST 38/140: FIELD ASSISTANTS: SEABIRDS REF NO: 34/2026 (X2 POSTS) (Approximately Fifteen Months Contract) SALARY: R280 278 per annum, (plus 37% lieu in benefits) CENTRE: Marion Island REQUIREMENTS: National Diploma (NQF Level 6) or relevant qualification in Natural Science. 0– 1-year experience required in Marion Island. Knowledge of environmental legislation. Public Service and Departmental procedures and prescripts. Experience in field surveys, research administration, data collection and management, bird’s identification & handling, disseminate information, report writing and recording. Must have good attention to detail and be meticulous in data collection and demonstrate experience to conduct scientific monitoring relating to seabirds to a high standard. Must be self-motivated and able to work at a remote place away from family and friends with minimal supervision. DUTIES: Undertake biological research, fieldwork and monitoring according to a workplan as devised by the project managers. Make day-to-day decisions about work priorities and fieldwork protocols. Maintain accurate records of the work and computer databases of the work. Regularly report to and update the project manager on progress of the project. The applicants must have determination, physical fitness and the ability to work under harsh environmental conditions subject to extremes of weather; a desire to work with animals, including handling of seabird adults and chicks, which require empathy for the birds. Successful applicants will spend a full year (April 2027 to May 2028) at Marion Island. Note that there is no option to return before the end of the expedition, once you land at the island. The well-equipped new base station has full e-mail, fax and satellite telephone facilities. ENQUIRIES: Leshia Visagie at (082) 447 9302, Makhudu Masotla at (079) 220 8888, Azwianewi Makhado at (082) 377 3088 NOTE: The incumbent will execute duties at a Sub/Antarctic Base and adhere to the health, safety and environmental requirements. The successful applicant will spend a full year (April 2027 to May 2028) at Marion Island. There is no option to return to South Africa before May 2028. The ability to work and live with small groups of people is thus essential. Although the base is well-equipped with e- mail, fax and satellite telephone facilities, the applicant has to be self-sufficient and self-motivated. The location may affect both the physical and mental well- being of the incumbent, their family and close relationships. Candidates must be physically fit, mentally strong and prepared for physically challenging and satisfying work. In addition the successful candidates may often be called upon to work long hours in extreme conditions on duties unrelated to their function. Short-listed candidates will be subjected to screening and security vetting to determine their suitability for employment. Appointment to these positions is subject to a rigorous medical examination as well as psychometric assessment, which will be arranged for at no cost to the applicants.