Technician: Environmental Health Opportunity at DUT

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is seeking a qualified, proactive, and detail-oriented professional to join the Faculty of Health Sciences within the Department of Community Health Studies as a Technician for the Environmental Health programme. Operating across metropolitan campuses in KwaZulu-Natal, DUT is internationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, technological innovation, and community engagement. This vital departmental role offers an aspiring academic support specialist or laboratory practitioner the opportunity to drive impactful Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) initiatives, maintain laboratory standards, and guide students through their journey into environmental and community health professions.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) activities for the Environmental Health programme, facilitating structured placements and student experiential learning.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the environmental health and microbiology practical laboratories, upholding stringent safety and quality protocols.
• Compile comprehensive WIL evaluation reports and statutory compliance documentation for submission to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
• Facilitate the procedural registration of undergraduate students and graduating cohorts with the HPCSA to ensure professional compliance.
• Coordinate SETA-funded learning interventions, monitoring project deliverables and compiling end-of-project close-out reports.
• Prepare laboratory consumables, equipment, and media for scheduled undergraduate laboratory sessions and applied practical examinations.
• Liaise effectively with Municipal Health Services authorities, environmental health practitioners, and external industry placement partners.
• Utilize institutional administrative software, including SAP, for departmental procurement, requisitions, inventory tracking, and student records management.

Estimated Salary Range (Market Benchmark)

The hiring employer has not officially specified a salary for this position. Based on South African market data and industry benchmarks for a junior professional / experienced entry academic technician role, the estimated remuneration is approximately R18,000 – R26,000 per month. Please note that this is an industry estimate and actual remuneration will be determined by the employer based on qualifications, experience, and internal pay structures.

Why Join the Company

Durban University of Technology is globally ranked among the top tier of tertiary institutions worldwide, guided by its progressive ENVISION2030 strategic plan. Joining DUT means contributing directly to a people-centred, innovative, and entrepreneurial ecosystem committed to advancing societal health and wellbeing. Employees enjoy access to exceptional continuous professional development opportunities, academic fee remissions for postgraduate research, and a collaborative higher-education workplace culture that fosters individual growth, research innovation, and academic advancement.

Application Strategy (Exclusive)

• Explicitly detail your familiarity with HPCSA student registration protocols and your track record in managing statutory Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) reporting.
• Emphasize your practical laboratory bench experience in microbiology, detailing specific quality assurance, sterilization, and equipment management practices you have supervised.
• Highlight hands-on administrative competence with SAP systems or municipal stakeholder engagement, illustrating how your operational acumen streamlines academic workflows.

Interview Preparation

Expect technical and behavioral questions during your interview, such as: 'How do you manage compliance, reporting, and problem resolution when coordinating student WIL placements with municipal stakeholders?' and 'Can you describe your quality assurance routine when preparing a microbiology practical session for a large student cohort?' You can rehearse tailored responses and refine your professional delivery using the YouthNextStep Interview Simulator.

How to Apply

Please apply using the Quick Apply button on this page. Reference: 20000730.

• A BTech, BSc, or BHSc degree in Health Sciences or relevant Science stream.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in higher education, with at least one year focused on coordinating Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) activities.
• Practical knowledge of Microbiology with at least 2 years of laboratory work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in compiling WIL documentation and reports for submission to the HPCSA.
• Practical experience with registering students and graduates with the HPCSA.
• At least one year of experience coordinating SETA-funded WIL activities and compiling associated close-out reports.
• Proficiency in the use of SAP software for requisitions and student management is advantageous.