Location: Johannesburg
Closing Date: 04 June 2026
Salary: ZAR R187,932 /Per Year
U.S. Embassy is Hiring a Trades Helper – Completion of secondary school is required
Hiring Path:• Open to the public
Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:This position is open to:
• All Interested Applicants / All Sources
For USEFM – FP grade is BB. Actual FP salary authorized by Washington D.C.Security Clearance Required:Public Trust – Background InvestigationAppointment TypePermanentMarketing Statement:
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.Summary:
The U.S. Mission in South Africa is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the Trades Helper position in the Facilities Section in Consulate Johannesburg.
Supervisory Position:NoRelocation Expenses Reimbursed:NoTravel Required: Occasional Travel. Travel to residential houses
Duties
Employed as a Trades Helper to assist the skilled technicians as they carry out skilled maintenance and repair work on all facilities throughout the NEC to include office buildings, grounds and residential owned/leased properties. Work assignments will be directed by the Building Engineer Supervisor.
1. Operations & Maintenance Support 95%
- Provides assistance to the technicians of the skilled workshops to help them in routine mechanical, carpentry, electrical and plumbing maintenance and preventive maintenance, repairs, and installations.
- Assists in various manual tasks such as: demolition work, painting, plumbing, carpentry work, routine and preventive maintenance, and general cleanup of work areas, and common use areas of the NEC/NCC.
- Uses hand and power tools under the supervision of the skilled technicians and mechanics as necessary.
- Prepares worksite and maintains tools and equipment. Brings tools, supplies and materials to work site as directed by the skilled technicians; cleans the work site at the completion of the task; loads and unloads materials and tools and also loads construction debris into dump truck.
- Perform unskilled tasks such as common laborer work, material handling, snow removal, grounds maintenance and gardening work.
2. Logistic Support 5%
- Performs escort duties for local contractors as required.
- Reports installation deficiencies and maintenance/repair needs to supervisor.
- Performs other collateral duties as assigned by the Building Engineer Supervisor.
**Note: This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by incumbent. Incumbent will be required to perform other duties as assigned by the agency.
Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a SBU security clearance.
All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time 12 weeks upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.Education Requirements:
Completion of secondary school is required.
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.Qualifications:
Experience:
A minimum of two (2) years of maintenance or construction semi-skilled work experience in skilled trades such as mechanical (HVAC and Plumbing), electrical, carpentry, with significant focus on building systems.
Language:
Fluent Speaking/Reading/Writing of English is required.
Fluent Speaking/Reading/Writing of any addtional South African language is required.
Job Knowledge:
Must have a basic technical understanding of major building mechanical systems and equipment. Must be familiar with construction techniques and workplace safety, personal protective equipment (PPE) – how and when to use it.
Skills And Abilities:
The incumbent must be a visionary, forward thinker, and quick understudy with an aptitude to learn so he/she can anticipate the materials and tools the skilled technician will need ahead of time. Must be able to use the typical lot of hand tools, small handheld power tools, vacuum cleaners, gardening tools, and ladders; must be adept at keeping work sites free of clutter and debris, clean and neat; must have a valid driver’s license for standard vehicles; must use good safety practices and follow all safety requirements in execution of tasks and be able to use all appropriate PPE; 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, heights, and temperature extremes, indoors or outdoors to complete work assignments; must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to handle a large workload and multiple tasks; be able to take direction and must be organized; communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, contractors and vendors to obtain and provide pertinent information.
Benefits and Other Info
Benefits:Agency Benefits:
The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees.
For Eligible Family Member (EFM) applicants, benefits should be discussed with the HR Office. The pay plan is assigned by the HR Office and confirmed by Washington, D.C.Other Information:
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:
A hiring preference is extended to eligible and qualified applicants in the order listed below. It is essential you accurately describe your status in your application, failure to do so may result in a determination that you are not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER
- Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
- AEFM / USEFM
- Foreign Service (FS) on Leave without Pay (LWOP) and Civil Service (CS) with reemployment rights **
HOW TO APPLY
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