Jobs · Western Cape · Agriculture
Senior Laboratory Assistant
Directorate: Inspection Services
Closed Friday 16 October 2026 at 16:00Applications are no longer accepted.
The circular is the only authoritative source. Open the PDF at page 7
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Senior Laboratory Assistant to prepare and analyse samples of agricultural products, processed foods and liquor in a Western Cape laboratory. Requires Grade 12 and 3 years laboratory and horticulture
- Prepare samples and perform routine analysis of chemical residues, dairy products, processed food and liquor composition for quality control purposes.
- Perform sample collection, preparation, labelling, staining, extraction and basic analyses; maintain equipment through cleaning, sterilisation and basic maintenance.
- Record results, manage inventory of equipment and consumables, maintain laboratory registers, assist with invoicing and comply with health and safety regulations.
- Must have Grade 12 Certificate and minimum 3 years relevant experience in laboratory and horticulture work; knowledge of Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990 and Liquor Products Act 60 of 1989.
- Must have valid driver's license, ability to drive, computer skills and ability to handle hazardous chemicals.
- Based in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. Submit application by hand delivery to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 or by email to SLArecruit86@nda.gov.za
- Closing date not specified in the advertisement.
Generated by claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 from the text below; it may be wrong or incomplete. Original wording, page 7
Requirements
- Applicants must be in a possession of a Grade 12 Certificate.
- A Minimum of 3 years relevant experience in Laboratory and Horticulture.
- Job Related Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the Public Service and Departmental prescripts /policies.
- Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990, Liquor Products Act 60 of 1989.
- Job Related Skills:
- Knowledge and application of the Laboratory quality systems.
- 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.
- Efficient 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 timeous Ness.
- Computer skills, application/usage of computer software.
- Alert and troubleshooting skills.
- Administrative and organisational skills Language capabilities with regard to the understanding of quality system documentation.
- Planning and organising abilities.
- Self developmentally inclined.
- Team building.
- Trainings skills/give guidance.
- Extended working hours.
- Handling of hazardous chemicals.
- Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive.
Duties
- Prepare samples and perform routine analysis for the determination of i.e. chemical resides / dairy / processed food/liquor products composition components (quality control) which would, inter alia, entail the following;
- Labelling of samples.
- Collecting/taking samples for preparation (i.e. fruit, vegetables, grain and or other agricultural products / processed foods bread, dried fruit, fruit juice, honey vinegar).
- Preparation of sample material by e.g. weighing, drying, cutting etc.
- Preparation of media (eliza kits).
- Preparation and staining of smears.
- Preparation of stains, buffers and reagents.
- Visual inspection and collection of infected material if applicable.
- 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 / sterilise glassware and equipment.
- Clean laboratory facilities.
- Clean glassware and laboratory equipment.
- Perform administrative and related functions which would inter alia, entail the following:
- Inventory control of equipment and consumable for equipment.
- Recordkeeping and updating of the identified register (i.e.
- Register book, sample referral, sample received, record of results, inventory of standards, reagents and chemicals, waste removal).
- Assist with invoicing of analyses.
- Comply with health and safety regulations.
How to apply
Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 or by email SLArecruit86@nda.gov.za
New to the Z83 form? Read the application guide.
Enquiries
Mr T. Pongolo Tel No: (021) 809 1640.
Notes from the department
EE Target: African Males and Females and persons with disability.
As printed in Circular 35 of 2026 · page 7 · open the PDF
POST 35/04: SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT REF NO: 3/3/1/86/2026 Directorate: Inspection Services SALARY: R237 453 per annum (Level 05) CENTRE: Western Cape: Stellenbosch REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be in a possession of a Grade 12 Certificate. A Minimum of 3 years relevant experience in Laboratory and Horticulture. Job Related Knowledge: Knowledge of the Public Service and Departmental prescripts /policies. Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990, Liquor Products Act 60 of 1989. Job Related Skills: Knowledge and application of the Laboratory quality systems. 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. Efficient 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 timeous Ness. Computer skills, application/usage of computer software. Alert and troubleshooting skills. Administrative and organisational skills Language capabilities with regard to the understanding of quality system documentation. Planning and organising abilities. Self developmentally inclined. Team building. Trainings skills/give guidance. Extended working hours. Handling of hazardous chemicals. Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive. DUTIES: Prepare samples and perform routine analysis for the determination of i.e. chemical resides / dairy / processed food/liquor products composition components (quality control) which would, inter alia, entail the following; Labelling of samples. Collecting/taking samples for preparation (i.e. fruit, vegetables, grain and or other agricultural products / processed foods bread, dried fruit, fruit juice, honey vinegar). Preparation of sample material by e.g. weighing, drying, cutting etc. Preparation of media (eliza kits). Preparation and staining of smears. Preparation of stains, buffers and reagents. Visual inspection and collection of infected material if applicable. 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 / sterilise glassware and equipment. Clean laboratory facilities. Clean glassware and laboratory equipment. Perform administrative and related functions which would inter alia, entail the following: Inventory control of equipment and consumable for equipment. Recordkeeping and updating of the identified register (i.e. Register book, sample referral, sample received, record of results, inventory of standards, reagents and chemicals, waste removal). Assist with invoicing of analyses. Comply with health and safety regulations. ENQUIRIES: Mr T. Pongolo Tel No: (021) 809 1640. APPLICATIONS: Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 or by email SLArecruit86@nda.gov.za NOTE: EE Target: African Males and Females and persons with disability.