Eastern Cape Security Officer Job 2026 Open to Grade 10 Applicants

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is inviting applications for an entry-level Security Officer opportunity in the Eastern Cape. This vacancy may be particularly relevant to job seekers who have completed Grade 10 and are registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, as previous work experience is not required.

The position forms part of the department’s Woodlands and Indigenous Forest Management operations. Although the broader advertisement covers nine Security Officer positions across KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, one position is specifically allocated to the Eastern Cape under reference number BC22/2026.

The successful applicant will help protect departmental premises, employees, visitors, equipment and other assets. The work extends beyond standing at an entrance and includes access control, patrols, monitoring security equipment, maintaining security records and responding appropriately when potential hazards or security incidents are identified.

Eastern Cape Security Officer Vacancy Details

The qualification, salary and Eastern Cape allocation are confirmed in the Public Service Vacancy Circular. The department’s current online vacancy listing gives 14 September 2026 at 16:00 as the closing date for this recruitment.

Requirements for the Eastern Cape Security Officer Position

Applicants do not need previous security work experience to qualify for consideration. However, this does not mean that the vacancy has no additional entry requirements. Candidates must already meet the educational and security-industry registration requirements specified by the department.

Applicants need:

• Grade 10 at NQF Level 2 or an equivalent qualification.
• A PSiRA certificate.
• No previous work experience is required.
• Knowledge of access-control procedures.
• An understanding of controlling the movement of equipment.
• Knowledge of prescribed security procedures and relevant emergency procedures.
• An understanding of security processes, departmental procedures and Public Service requirements.
• Basic knowledge of CCTV operations.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Organisational, planning and decision-making abilities.
• The ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• The ability to work under pressure and manage conflict.

The PSiRA certificate is a compulsory requirement rather than an added advantage. Therefore, applicants who only have Grade 10 but are not PSiRA registered should not treat this vacancy as a Grade-10-only opportunity.

What the Successful Security Officer Will Do

The Security Officer will be responsible for several areas of safety and security within the department’s Woodlands and Indigenous Forest Management operations. These responsibilities can be grouped into the following main functions.

1. Access Control and Visitor Management

A major part of the position involves controlling access to departmental premises. The Security Officer must identify suspicious behaviour and help prevent unauthorised people or dangerous objects from entering restricted areas.

Responsibilities include:

• Performing access-control duties.
• Identifying suspicious conduct.
• Preventing unauthorised entry.
• Preventing dangerous objects from entering the premises.
• Directing visitors to the appropriate employee or venue.
• Ensuring that departmental equipment and assets are not removed without authorisation.
• Checking that people entering forest areas have the necessary approved licence where required.

2. Building and Premises Security

Security Officers must also help maintain the physical security of buildings and surrounding premises. This requires regular observation and patrols rather than remaining at one security point throughout a shift.

The successful applicant may be expected to:

• Conduct patrols around buildings and premises.
• Lock and unlock main doors and security gates when required.
• Identify offices that have accidentally been left unlocked.
• Secure access points.
• Carry out proper lock-up procedures for offices.
• Operate and monitor control-room security equipment.

3. Safety and Emergency Response

The position also carries responsibilities relating to hazards and emergencies. Security personnel are expected to identify potential safety risks and follow the appropriate emergency procedures.

This includes:

• Identifying potential fire hazards.
• Applying established emergency procedures.
• Alerting emergency services when necessary.
• Informing departmental management of emergencies.
• Helping ensure the safety of employees and visitors.
• Assisting with forest fire management when required.

4. Incident Reporting and Record Keeping

Security work also involves administration. Incidents and movements must be recorded properly so that the department has an accurate security record.

Duties include:

• Recording incidents in the occurrence book or appropriate register.
• Keeping security registers up to date.
• Reporting missing or stolen equipment and stores.
• Obtaining feedback from a supervisor regarding reported incidents.

Who May Find This Opportunity Suitable?

This vacancy may be worth considering for someone trying to enter government security work without previous employment experience. It is especially relevant to applicants who:

1. Have completed at least Grade 10 or hold an equivalent qualification.
2. Already have the required PSiRA certificate.
3. Have not yet built formal security work experience.
4. Are comfortable performing access control and patrol duties.
5. Can communicate with employees, visitors and members of the public.
6. Can remain responsible and disciplined while working under pressure.
7. Are prepared to work as part of the department’s forestry and premises-security operations.

The absence of an experience requirement makes the vacancy accessible to new entrants, but applicants should still consider the nature of the job carefully. Security Officers may encounter emergencies, suspicious behaviour, conflict and other situations requiring calm judgement and adherence to procedures.

How to Apply for the Eastern Cape Security Officer Job

DFFE currently provides an online recruitment system for this vacancy, which is preferable to relying on an unofficial application form or third-party recruitment website.

1. Open the official DFFE Security Officer vacancy page.
2. Review the vacancy requirements before beginning the application.
3. Make sure you are applying for the Eastern Cape position with reference BC22/2026, as the broader Security Officer recruitment also includes posts in KwaZulu-Natal.
4. Complete the required application information.
5. Provide the required employment application information and CV in accordance with the department’s recruitment instructions.
6. Check your information carefully before submitting the application.
7. Complete the application before the closing deadline.

Apply for the Eastern Cape Security Officer position – BC22/2026

Applicants can also consult the department’s main vacancies directory to verify the recruitment notice and other current DFFE opportunities.

View the official DFFE vacancies

Reference Number

The reference number for the Eastern Cape position is: BC22/2026

Applicants should make sure they select or quote the correct Eastern Cape reference where the application process requires it. The same overall Security Officer advertisement contains vacancies in more than one province, so the provincial reference is important.

What Happens After Shortlisting?

Being shortlisted does not automatically mean that a candidate will be appointed. The vacancy notice states that shortlisted candidates must undertake two pre-entry assessments.

1. Practical Exercise: Candidates will complete an exercise intended to assess their suitability against the technical and general requirements of the position.
2. Integrity Assessment: Candidates must also undergo an assessment dealing with integrity and ethical conduct.

Applicants should therefore prepare for a selection process that evaluates more than the information supplied in the initial application.

Enquiries About the Eastern Cape Security Officer Job 2026

Questions specifically relating to the Eastern Cape Security Officer vacancy can be directed to:

Ms N. Mengqani
Telephone: 066 328 7869

The circular provides a separate contact for the KwaZulu-Natal positions, so Eastern Cape applicants should use the Eastern Cape contact above when making vacancy-related enquiries.

Application Closing Date

Applications for the current DFFE recruitment close on:

14 September 2026 at 16:00

The department’s live vacancies directory currently displays this deadline for the Security Officers: Woodlands and Indigenous Forest Management recruitment.

Before submitting, applicants should make sure that:

• They meet the Grade 10 or equivalent qualification requirement.
• Their PSiRA certification meets the advertised requirement.
• They are applying under the correct Eastern Cape reference number, BC22/2026.
• Their application information is complete and accurate.
• They submit before the official deadline.

Conclusion

The Eastern Cape Security Officer position provides an opportunity for applicants who have the required basic education and security registration to compete for a government position without needing previous work experience. The role carries real responsibility because the successful candidate will help control access, protect departmental assets, patrol premises, maintain security records and respond to safety concerns.

Applicants who meet both the Grade 10 and PSiRA requirements should submit their applications through the official DFFE recruitment channel before the closing deadline rather than waiting until the final hours of the application period.