Purpose

• The incumbent reports to the Mechanical Engineer.
• The incumbent is employed as a journeyman level Maintenance Mechanic - Plumber to carry out skilled maintenance and repair work on the critical and non-critical mechanical and plumbing systems throughout the New Embassy Compound (NEC)/New Consulate Compound (NCC) functional/office
  buildings, on-compound ancillary support and residential buildings, above and below ground infrastructures, recreational facilities, and other owned/leased properties.
• Will complete assigned tasks within the allotted time established in the Collaborative Management Initiative (CMI) service standards, and according to International Building Code (IBC) standards.
• The incumbent specialises in plumbing and mechanical systems operation and maintenance.
• Systems include, but are not limited to; water supply and storage, filtration,
  disinfection and other water treatments, hot water systems and equipment, piping, tubing, fittings and controls, irrigation, domestic plumbing fixtures including waterless urinals, drainage, sanitary systems, on-site sewage treatment, and storm water management.

Requirements

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• Completion of vocational training program from an accredited institute recognised as producing journeyman level plumbers and mechanical system specialists trained in the maintenance of commercial or industrial buildings/facilities is required.
• Training through a recognised apprenticeship program provided by a trade union is considered acceptable.
• A minimum of three (3) years' experience working as a journey-level plumber in the repair and maintenance of plumbing/mechanical systems in commercial or industrial facilities is required.
• Must have experience working with PVC, CPVC, copper, galvanised, concrete, and black pipe, circulation and well pumps, and water treatment equipment.

Skills & Competencies

Job Knowledge:

• The incumbent is required to have a thorough, technical understanding of major building plumbing/mechanical systems and equipment, with a speciality in plumbing systems.
• Familiarisation with general mechanical systems, including domestic hot and cold-water piping systems, wastewater piping systems and vent stacks, storm water management systems, chilled water systems, water treatment facilities, swimming pool equipment, fire suppression systems, compressed air systems, and irrigation systems is required.
• Familiarisation with the many different types of pipe and fittings (PVC and CPVC, copper, galvanised, concrete, black, etc.) is required.
• Must know how to diagnose the root cause of a problem and what materials and equipment will be needed to facilitate repairs.
• Must know how to work safely on equipment, systems, and associated components including the use of lock-out / tag-out safety measure.
• Knowledge of IBC standards, and fire and life safety codes are required.

Skills and Abilities:

• The incumbent must be skilled at reading and interpreting technical documents including layout drawings, as-built drawings, riser diagrams, equipment schedules, operations and maintenance manuals, and other manufacturer's literature.
• The incumbent shall have the skills and abilities in the following areas: diagnosing and repairing filtration systems, water pumps, hot and cold-water systems; testing potable water system components, monitoring of chemical and salt injection systems, and taking equipment readings with various meters; use of hand tools, power tools, and speciality tools to determine appropriate repairs.
• Additional skills include installation and repair to the various types of plumbing pipe such as PVC and CPVC, copper, galvanised, concrete, and black pipe; distinguishing frequencies and sounds, colour codes and odours in the operation of equipment in order to troubleshoot for repairs.
• Additional abilities include responding to emergency situations in an efficient and timely manner to effect immediate repairs; work in various adverse conditions such as tight or enclosed spaces, on ladders at various heights, and in temperature extremes, indoors or outdoors to complete work assignments; communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, contractors, and vendors to obtain and provide pertinent information.
• Must be computer literate, able to navigate through the Microsoft Office Suite software including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point; able to draft reports and create spreadsheets, and able to write e-mails and research information on the Internet.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to handle a large workload and multiple tasks.
• Must be organised.

Responsibilities

Operations and Maintenance Support

• Performs preventive maintenance and repairs on plumbing/mechanical systems including: air compressors, fire suppression systems, commercial and domestic toilet facilities, fixtures, valves, piping, domestic water and sump pumps, water supply boosters, water sewage treatment systems, domestic and solar water heaters, fuel pumps, oilwater separators and grease traps to ensure optimal and un-interrupted operation of the mechanical systems.
• Identifies and corrects infrastructure and equipment problems by performing plumbing and associated mechanical inspections every day as part of a proactive maintenance plan to maintain facilities and equipment in an efficient operating condition, prevent degradation of property, equipment, and system components, and prevent failures that would cause service interruption.
• Responds to emergency calls during off-duty hours, 24 hours a day / 7 days a week (24/7), when critical systems have stopped functioning, or there is an imminent threat to the life safety of personnel, or structure integrity.
• Assists with monitoring the work of speciality service contractors, as delegated, and provides feedback to the Mechanical Engineer and/or the Facility Manager concerning the contractor's quality of work.
• Monitors weekly and monthly water (potable and gray water) system performance to maintain system reliability and provides report on any discrepancies to the Mechanical Engineer and the Facility Manager.
• Performs regular checks for consumable material usage.
• Monitors spare parts and materials inventories and reorders items when low stock levels are reached.
• The incumbent will provide detailed and concise written reports in English to the Mechanical Engineer, the Facility Manager, and upper-level management personnel as required.
• Ensures proper use of time, tools, and materials and that the work areas are kept clean and safe.

Logistics Support

• Collateral duty assignments will be at the discretion of the Mechanical Engineer or the Facility Manager.
• Other assigned duties are to support post activities including relocations, emergency actions, escorting, special Embassy functions, and monitoring contractors on site.
• The incumbent may be required to assist other Facility Management Locally Employed (LE) Staff and other shops as part of the maintenance team effort on special assignments.

Additional Information

• You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.
• You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
• You must complete the application form and provide the required documents.
• Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed.
• If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.
• The U.S. Embassy and Consulate roles in South Africa prioritise qualified U.S. citizen family members and veterans, only opening applications to local candidates if no qualified American family members apply.
• Current staff may apply for internal roles provided they have completed their probation period and achieved satisfactory performance reviews.
• For specific application assistance,, visit the U.S. Mission in South Africa website.

Ref No

• Cape Town-2026-018R

Remuneration

• R370,262 - R518,366