Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience – 7 Permanent Posts

The Council for Geoscience has opened applications for seven permanent positions as Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience, specifically for Percussion/Reverse Circulation Drillers, based at the organisation’s Head Office in Pretoria, Gauteng. This recruitment drive, advertised on 7 August 2026, offers a rare entry point into South Africa’s geoscience and drilling sector for candidates with practical drilling experience and a strong work ethic. With a closing date of 21 August 2026, job seekers interested in becoming Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience have a limited window to submit their applications.

This article breaks down everything prospective applicants need to know about the role, including responsibilities, qualifications, salary, required skills, and how the recruitment process typically works at this state-owned entity.

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About the Council for Geoscience

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) is South Africa’s national geoscience organisation, responsible for researching and providing geological information to government, industry, and the public. Its work spans groundwater studies, geotechnical assessments, mineral resource evaluation, and geohazard research. Because of the technical nature of this work, the organisation regularly recruits skilled field personnel, and the current call for Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience reflects the CGS’s ongoing need for hands-on drilling support across its research projects.

Working as one of the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience means becoming part of a team that supports critical national research, including dolomitic terrain assessments, groundwater investigations, and other geoscientific fieldwork that informs infrastructure planning and public safety decisions across South Africa.

Job Overview: What the Role Involves

The seven vacancies for Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience fall under Peromnes Grade P12, with a cost-to-company package of R390,134.19 per annum. These are permanent positions reporting to the Manager: Technical Services, and they form part of the CGS’s Technical Services division based at Head Office in Pretoria.

The core purpose of the role is to support the percussion and reverse circulation driller during borehole drilling operations for geotechnical assessment, groundwater studies, and other geoscientific research projects. Successful candidates appointed as Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience will work directly with multifunctional reverse circulation and percussion drill rigs, along with the related equipment and technologies used in modern geoscientific drilling.

Key Responsibilities

Anyone applying for these Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience posts should understand the full scope of daily duties, which include:

• Assisting the percussion and reverse circulation driller with drilling operations and borehole development during geoscientific projects
• Supporting day-to-day administration and record keeping related to drilling activities
• Properly handling and storing samples according to established drilling procedures
• Performing daily checks and routine maintenance on drilling equipment
• Loading and offloading drilling equipment at both the head office and various drilling sites
• Setting up and dismantling field camps at remote drill sites
• Driving vehicles required to transport the drill rig and associated equipment to and from drilling locations
• Carrying out ad hoc tasks as needed to support broader drilling operations

This range of duties shows that the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience role is physically demanding and requires versatility, since staff must be comfortable with fieldwork, equipment handling, and logistics, not just technical drilling support.

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

The CGS has laid out clear educational and licensing requirements for anyone hoping to join as one of the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience. At minimum, applicants need:

• Grade 10 education, combined with at least one year of percussion or reverse circulation drilling experience
• A valid Code 10 driver’s licence (C1)

Certain additional qualifications are considered advantageous, though not compulsory, for candidates applying for Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience roles:

• A valid Code 14 driver’s licence (EC) with a Public Driving Permit (PDP), along with experience driving heavy-duty trucks
• Valid training certificates in reverse circulation and percussion drilling methods

Candidates who already hold these additional licences and certificates are likely to have a competitive edge, since the job advert explicitly frames them as an “added advantage” during the shortlisting process.

Knowledge and Experience Employers Are Looking For

Beyond formal qualifications, the CGS has outlined the practical knowledge and experience expected from successful Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience appointees. These include:

• Experience drilling for geotechnical assessment, particularly in dolomitic terrain, using reverse circulation or percussion methods
• Experience drilling for groundwater investigation and assessment using the same drilling techniques
• Familiarity with preparing equipment needed for specific drilling methods
• Understanding of health and safety measures both on and off the drilling site
• Knowledge of standard operating procedures related to drilling methods and operations
• Experience recording technical data during drilling operations, such as drilled sample meters, water strikes, and cavities
• Practical skills in stick or MIG welding, as well as gas cutting and brazing
• Proven experience operating a truck-mounted crane, supported by a valid operator ticket or certificate
• Basic mechanical repair skills, such as replacing air and fuel filters

This combination of technical, mechanical, and safety-related knowledge makes it clear that the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience positions are suited to experienced field technicians rather than entry-level jobseekers with no drilling background.

Key Attributes and Soft Skills

In addition to technical competencies, the Council for Geoscience has listed several personal attributes it expects from candidates for the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience posts:

• Ability to work effectively in remote areas, often away from home for extended periods
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Negotiation skills
• A customer-oriented approach
• Strong teamwork and collaboration abilities
• Physical fitness, given the need to handle heavy equipment and machinery
• Adherence to operational procedures set out by the organisation and its clients
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities as directed by supervisors or project managers
• Good self-discipline

Together, these attributes suggest that the CGS is looking for well-rounded field workers who can operate independently in challenging, often remote, environments while still functioning effectively as part of a broader project team.

Salary and Employment Conditions

Each of the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience vacancies is classified at Peromnes Grade P12, carrying a cost-to-company remuneration of R390,134.19 per annum. As permanent posts, these roles come with the standard employment security and benefits associated with public entity employment in South Africa, although specific benefit details are typically confirmed during the interview and offer stage.

Given the fieldwork-heavy nature of the job, prospective Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience should also expect regular travel to drilling sites, which may include remote or rural locations across South Africa, depending on where current geoscientific research projects are based.

Employment Equity and Diversity Commitment

The Council for Geoscience has stated its commitment to employment equity and diversity in this recruitment round. Consistent with South Africa’s Employment Equity prescripts, preference for the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience posts will be given, though not exclusively, to candidates from under-represented designated groups. The organisation has specifically encouraged women and people from previously disadvantaged groups and sectors to apply for these positions.

This approach aligns with broader transformation goals in South Africa’s mining, geoscience, and technical trades sectors, where certain groups have historically been under-represented in skilled field and drilling roles.

How to Apply and What Happens Next

Applicants interested in the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience vacancies should note that correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If an applicant has not been contacted within eight weeks of the closing date, they should consider their application unsuccessful. This is a standard practice among many South African public entities and helps manage the volume of applications received for competitive roles.

It’s also important to note that all appointments to Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience positions are subject to positive vetting results, meaning background and security checks form part of the standard hiring process.

For any recruitment-related enquiries, applicants can contact the Council for Geoscience directly at recruitment@geoscience.org.za. However, the organisation has clarified that applications submitted to this email address, or via CGS social media platforms, will not be considered for the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience roles. Applicants should therefore follow the official application channel specified in the original advertisement rather than emailing documents directly.

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Data Protection and Applicant Privacy

The Council for Geoscience has confirmed that the processing of personal information submitted by applicants for the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience posts will be handled in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act) 4 of 2013. This means applicant data, including CVs, certificates, and identification documents, will be managed under South Africa’s data protection framework, giving candidates a degree of assurance regarding how their personal information is used during the recruitment process.

Why This Recruitment Matters

The opening of seven permanent posts at once is notable, since it represents a significant expansion of the CGS’s drilling support capacity. For skilled tradespeople with drilling backgrounds, particularly those with welding, crane operation, or heavy vehicle licences, the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience vacancies offer a stable, government-linked career path with clearly defined technical growth opportunities.

Given South Africa’s ongoing need for groundwater research and geotechnical risk assessment, especially in dolomite-prone regions where sinkholes and ground instability pose real risks to infrastructure and communities, the work carried out by Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience is directly tied to public safety outcomes. This adds a layer of purpose to the role beyond the standard technical job description.

Tips for Prospective Applicants

Candidates hoping to secure one of the Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience posts should consider the following before applying:

1. Gather all required certificates, including your Code 10 licence and any drilling training certificates, before submitting an application.
2. Highlight specific drilling experience clearly, particularly any work involving dolomitic terrain or groundwater investigation.
3. Include proof of any additional advantageous skills, such as welding certification, crane operator tickets, or a Code 14 EC licence with PDP.
4. Be prepared to demonstrate physical fitness and willingness to work in remote locations for extended periods.
5. Apply well before the 21 August 2026 closing date, since late submissions are typically not considered for public entity vacancies.

Final Thoughts

The seven permanent vacancies for Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience represent a solid opportunity for experienced drillers and technical field workers in South Africa. With a defined salary structure, a clear scope of responsibilities, and a strong link to national geoscientific research, these roles offer both stability and purpose. Interested candidates should act quickly, ensure their documentation is complete, and apply through the correct official channel before the closing date.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many Assistant Technical Officers positions are available at the Council for Geoscience?
The Council for Geoscience has advertised seven permanent posts for Assistant Technical Officers – Percussion/Reverse Circulation Driller, based at its Head Office in Pretoria.

2. What is the closing date for these applications?
The closing date for applications is 21 August 2026.

3. What salary can Assistant Technical Officers at Council for Geoscience expect?
The role is graded at Peromnes Grade P12, with a cost-to-company package of R390,134.19 per annum.

4. What minimum qualifications are required?
Applicants need Grade 10 education with at least one year of percussion or reverse circulation drilling experience, plus a valid Code 10 (C1) driver’s licence.

5. Are there any advantageous qualifications for this role?
Yes, a Code 14 (EC) driver’s licence with a Public Driving Permit, heavy-duty truck driving experience, and valid drilling method training certificates are considered advantageous.

6. What does the recruitment and vetting process involve?
All appointments are subject to positive vetting results, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants who hear nothing within eight weeks of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.

7. Can applications be submitted via email or social media?
No. Applications sent to the recruitment email address or CGS social media platforms will not be considered. Applicants must use the official application channel listed in the job advertisement.

8. Does the Council for Geoscience have an employment equity policy for this role?
Yes, the CGS has stated that preference will be given, though not exclusively, to candidates from under-represented designated groups, with women and previously disadvantaged applicants specifically encouraged to apply.

9. Will the role require travel or remote work?
Yes, the position involves fieldwork at drilling sites, including setting up and dismantling field camps, and requires the ability to work in remote areas.

10. How is applicant personal information protected during recruitment?
The Council for Geoscience processes personal information in accordance with the POPI Act 4 of 2013, ensuring applicant data is handled under South Africa’s data protection regulations.

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