Quick Overview
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) |
| Opportunity Type | Government Jobs / Vacancies |
| Available Posts | Multiple vacancies |
| Closing Dates | 24, 26 and 31 August 2026 |
| Locations | Pretoria, Cape Town, Makhado, Nelspruit and QwaQwa |
| Salary | Not stated in the supplied vacancy listing |
| Application Form | New Z83 |
| Application Method | Online, email, post or hand delivery depending on the vacancy |
| Sector | South African Government |
| Experience | Mainly experienced/professional positions, depending on the post |
Overview
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has advertised a range of government vacancies for suitably qualified and experienced candidates across several branches of the department.
The available positions cover areas including forestry, fisheries, environmental management, climate change, air quality, engineering, human resources, administration, legal services, scientific work and corporate management.
The advertised positions are based in locations including Pretoria, Cape Town, Nelspruit, Makhado and QwaQwa.
Several vacancies have closing dates approaching quickly, with applications closing on 24 August, 26 August and 31 August 2026. Applicants should therefore check the requirements of their preferred position and submit their applications before the relevant deadline.
DFFE also emphasises that applicants must use the new Z83 application form and submit it together with a recent detailed CV.
About the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is a national government department responsible for important areas of South Africa’s environmental, forestry, fisheries and climate-change policy and administration.
The department’s vacancy platform provides information about employment opportunities within its various branches and components.
DFFE is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. According to the department, its recruitment approach aims to promote representivity in terms of race, gender and disability.
DFFE Vacancies Closing on 24 August 2026
Several positions have a closing date of 24 August 2026 at 16:00.
Legal Administration Officer (MR3): Fisheries Policy and Rights Administration X2
Reference: FIM21/2026
Branch: Fisheries Management
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 2
Closing Date: 24 August 2026 at 16:00
This vacancy is within Fisheries Management and relates to fisheries policy and rights administration.
Applicants should consult the official vacancy PDF for the complete qualification, experience and competency requirements.
Environmental Officer: Specialised Production — Licensing
Reference: CWM03/2026
Branch: Chemicals and Waste Management
Location: Pretoria
Application: Online
Closing Date: 24 August 2026 at 16:00
The position is within the Chemicals and Waste Management branch and focuses on licensing-related environmental functions.
Production Engineer Grade A: Risk Assessment
Reference: CWM04/2026
Branch: Chemicals and Waste Management
Location: Pretoria
Application: Online
Closing Date: 24 August 2026 at 16:00
This is a technical engineering opportunity relating to risk assessment.
Production Engineer Grade A: Geotechnical Engineer
Reference: CWM05/2026
Branch: Chemicals and Waste Management
Location: Pretoria
Application: Online
Closing Date: 24 August 2026 at 16:00
This position is aimed at suitably qualified candidates in the geotechnical engineering field.
Production Engineer Grade A: Civil Engineer
Reference: CWM06/2026
Branch: Chemicals and Waste Management
Location: Pretoria
Application: Online
Closing Date: 24 August 2026 at 16:00
This vacancy is for a civil engineering-related role within Chemicals and Waste Management.
Scientist Production Grade A: Geohydrology
Reference: CWM07/2026
Branch: Chemicals and Waste Management
Location: Pretoria
Application: Online
Closing Date: 24 August 2026 at 16:00
This scientific position relates to geohydrology.
Records Clerk: Facilities and Administration Services
References: CMS22/2026, CMS23/2026 and CMS24/2026
Posts: 3
Locations: Pretoria, Nelspruit and Makhado
Branch: Corporate Management Services
Application: Online
Closing Date: 24 August 2026 at 16:00
Three Records Clerk positions are advertised under Facilities and Administration Services, providing opportunities in different locations.
Non-Spatial Information Specialist
Reference: FOM70/2026
Branch: Forestry Management
Location: Pretoria
Application: Online
Closing Date: 24 August 2026 at 16:00
This vacancy falls within Forestry Management and focuses on non-spatial information.
DFFE Vacancy Closing on 26 August 2026
National Reporting Specialist
Reference: 2601732
Organisation: FAO Representation in South Africa
Location: Pretoria
Application: Online
Closing Date: 26 August 2026 at 23:59
The National Reporting Specialist position is listed on the DFFE vacancies page in support of a partner initiative involving the FAO Representation in South Africa.
Applicants should use the specific online application instructions associated with this vacancy rather than the general DFFE email procedure.
DFFE Vacancies Closing on 31 August 2026
A large number of DFFE vacancies close on 31 August 2026 at 16:00.
These include:
| Position | Reference | Location |
| Director: Forestry Scientific and Technical Services | FOM41/2026 | Pretoria |
| Senior Specialist: GHG Reporting — Industrial Processes, Product Use and Waste | CCAQ07/2026 | Pretoria |
| Senior Specialist: GHG Reporting — Energy Sector | CCAQ08/2026 | Pretoria |
| Senior Specialist: Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Inventory | CCAQ09/2026 | Pretoria |
| Senior Specialist: Carbon Tax and Emissions Trading | CCAQ10/2026 | Pretoria |
| Deputy Director: International Coordination | CCAQ11/2026 | Pretoria |
| Assistant Director: GHG Emissions Management Systems Coordination | CCAQ12/2026 | Pretoria |
| Senior Administrative Officer | CCAQ13/2026 | Pretoria |
| Office Administrator III | CCAQ14/2026 | Pretoria |
| Deputy Director: Forestry Transfer | FOM55/2026 | Pretoria |
| Deputy Director: Ethics and Fraud Prevention | ODG03/2026 | Pretoria |
| Office Administrator II: Governance and Executive Support | ODG04/2026 | Pretoria |
| Deputy Director: Organisational Development | CMS29/2026 | Pretoria |
| Deputy Director: Performance Management | CMS30/2026 | Pretoria |
| Deputy Director: Collective Bargaining, Negotiation and Employee Engagement | CMS31/2026 | Pretoria |
| Deputy Director: Employee Health and Wellness | CMS32/2026 | Pretoria |
| Assistant Director: Service Conditions and Benefits | CMS33/2026 | Pretoria |
| Senior Labour Relations Practitioner: Case Management and Compliance Support | CMS34/2026 | Pretoria |
| House-Keeping Executive | CMS37/2026 & CMS38/2026 | Pretoria & QwaQwa |
| Senior Human Resource Practitioner: Executive Development | CMS38/2026 | Pretoria |
| Organisational Development Practitioner | CMS39/2026 | Pretoria |
| Human Resource Officer | CMS40/2026 | Pretoria |
Several of these positions are fixed-term three-year contracts, including selected specialist positions in the Climate Change and Air Quality branch.
Applicants must open the individual official vacancy notice for the exact requirements, contract conditions and application instructions.
A Vacancy That Has Already Closed
The DFFE vacancy list also contains:
Scientific Production Scientist: Abalone
Reference: FIM20/2026
Location: Cape Town
Closing Date: 17 August 2026 at 16:00
Because the current date is after 17 August 2026, applicants should not rely on this position as an open vacancy. The remaining vacancies should be checked according to their individual closing dates.
Minimum Requirements
DFFE requirements vary considerably because the vacancies range from administrative positions to senior management, scientific, engineering and specialist roles.
Applicants should check the individual advert for:
- Required qualification
- NQF level
- Relevant experience
- Professional registration, where applicable
- Technical competencies
- Management experience, where applicable
- Citizenship requirements
- Additional documentation
- Reference number
- Correct application centre
- Closing date and time
The individual vacancy PDF takes precedence where its instructions differ from the general information published on the DFFE vacancies page.
The New Z83 Form Is Required
One of the most important application requirements is the use of the new Z83 application form.
DFFE states that applications must be submitted on a signed new Z83 form accompanied by a recent detailed CV.
The department warns that failure to use the newly amended Z83, or failure to complete, initial and sign it in full, may result in an application being disqualified.
Applicants should therefore check their Z83 carefully before submitting it.
For online applications, DFFE states that the Z83 and CV must be combined into one PDF document. JPEG or picture/snapshot applications will not be accepted.
Download the official DFFE Z83 application form
Application Locations and Methods
The application method depends on the advertised post.
For Pretoria centre applications, candidates may submit applications by post or hand delivery to Environment House in Arcadia, Pretoria, or email the application to the specific email address provided for the vacancy.
For Cape Town and other listed provincial centres, applications may be submitted by post or hand delivery to the DFFE Cape Town address, or by email to the address specified for the relevant post.
Applicants applying online must follow the instructions in the specific vacancy advertisement.
Do not assume that the same email address applies to every vacancy.
Foreign Qualifications
Applicants who obtained qualifications outside South Africa are responsible for having those qualifications evaluated by SAQA.
The department advises applicants with foreign qualifications to obtain the appropriate evaluation.
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
Senior Management Service Posts
Applicants applying for Senior Management Service (SMS) positions have additional requirements.
DFFE states that SMS applicants must successfully complete the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme before appointment, with shortlisted candidates required to provide proof of successful completion.
Shortlisted SMS candidates may also be required to complete a technical exercise and a generic managerial competency assessment.
Applicants interested in SMS positions should carefully review the relevant vacancy advert and the applicable National School of Government requirements.
National School of Government SMS Pre-Entry Programme
Screening and Security Vetting
Shortlisted DFFE candidates will be subjected to screening and security vetting.
The department states that this may include checks relating to:
- Criminal records
- Citizenship status
- Creditworthiness
- Previous employment and references
- Qualification verification
Successful appointees may also be required to undergo security clearance and sign a performance agreement and employment contract where applicable.
How to Apply
- Review the available DFFE vacancies.
- Choose a position that matches your qualification and experience.
- Open the official PDF advertisement for that position.
- Read the complete requirements and application instructions.
- Download the new Z83 application form.
- Complete, initial and sign the Z83 in full.
- Prepare a recent detailed CV.
- Combine the Z83 and CV into one PDF where an online application is required.
- Use the correct job title and reference number in your email subject where email applications are required.
- Send the application to the specific email address provided for the position, or use the instructed online, postal or hand-delivery method.
- Submit before the exact closing date and time.
- Keep proof of your application.
Official Application Link
Applicants should use the official DFFE vacancies page to identify the relevant vacancy and open its individual advert.
Each vacancy contains its own application instructions, and applicants should follow those instructions rather than relying solely on the general procedure.
Application Tips — VukaGuide Editorial Team
Do not submit a generic application without checking the individual advert. DFFE has advertised positions across very different professional fields, and requirements can vary significantly.
Check the reference number carefully before submitting your application.
Use the new Z83, not an outdated version. Complete every required section, initial where required and sign the form.
For online applications, make sure the Z83 and CV are combined into one PDF if the vacancy instructions require this.
Do not send JPEG screenshots or photographs of your documents where the advert specifically prohibits them.
Submit early. Several vacancies close on 24 August 2026 at 16:00, while another closes on 26 August at 23:59 and numerous positions close on 31 August at 16:00.
Finally, always use the application method stated in the official vacancy advertisement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DFFE?
DFFE is the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, a South African national government department.
How many DFFE vacancies are available?
The supplied vacancy list contains numerous advertised positions, with vacancies closing on 24, 26 and 31 August 2026. The list also contains one position whose closing date of 17 August has already passed.
When is the next DFFE closing date?
The next listed closing date is 24 August 2026 at 16:00.
Is the new Z83 form compulsory?
Yes. DFFE specifically states that applications must use the new Z83 application form, completed, initialled and signed in full.
Can I submit a photo of my Z83?
No. DFFE states that JPEG picture/snapshot applications will not be accepted for online applications.
Do I need a CV?
Yes. DFFE requires a recent detailed CV together with the Z83.
Can applicants with foreign qualifications apply?
Yes, but foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA.
Are these positions only in Pretoria?
No. The supplied list includes positions in Pretoria, Cape Town, Nelspruit, Makhado and QwaQwa.
Will DFFE contact every applicant?
No. DFFE states that correspondence will be limited to successful candidates. If an applicant has not been contacted within three months after the closing date, they should regard the application as unsuccessful.
Expert Guidance — VukaGuide Editorial Team
DFFE’s vacancy list contains opportunities across a wide range of career paths, but applicants should resist the temptation to apply simply because a position has an attractive title.
Start with your qualification and experience. Identify the posts for which you genuinely meet the minimum requirements, then read the full advert for each one.
Government applications also require careful attention to administrative details. A candidate can have the correct qualification but still risk disqualification by using the wrong Z83, failing to sign the form, using the wrong reference number or sending the application to the wrong address.
For applicants targeting senior positions, make sure you understand the additional SMS requirements before applying.
Keep a copy of your completed Z83, CV, supporting documents and proof of submission. This will make it easier to follow up or prepare for an interview if you are shortlisted.
Disclaimer
VukaGuide publishes employment opportunities sourced from official organisations. We are not the recruiting organisation and do not charge application fees.
Always read the complete official vacancy advertisement before applying. The individual DFFE PDF advert and linked application instructions take precedence if they differ from general guidance on the vacancies page.
Never pay anyone who promises to secure a DFFE or government job for you.
Trust Signals
Written by: VukaGuide Editorial Team
Reviewed by: VukaGuide Editorial Team
Published: 19 August 2026
Last Updated: 19 August 2026
Reading Time: 6–8 minutes
Sources:
- Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment official vacancies page
- Individual DFFE vacancy advertisements
- Official DFFE Z83 application form
- National School of Government SMS information
- SAQA official information
Editorial Review:
This article has been reviewed for accuracy in accordance with the VukaGuide Editorial Policy. Vacancy-specific qualifications, salaries and detailed requirements have not been invented where they were not included in the supplied vacancy listing.
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