Government Jobs Mpumalanga 2026 | General Worker Vacancy Skukuza | Wildlife Animal Health Jobs South Africa | Game Capture Jobs 2026 | No Experience Government Jobs Kruger Park
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is recruiting 1 x General Worker on a permanent basis within the Animal Health Directorate at Skukuza, Mpumalanga — situated inside the Kruger National Park. This is one of the most distinctive entry-level government jobs in South Africa in 2026 — requiring only a basic ABET or Basic Education certificate — where successful candidates will care for quarantined wild and domestic animals, clean predator cages and animal holding facilities, assist with game capture operations, support clinical work and necropsies, and maintain biosecurity standards at one of South Africa’s most important wildlife animal health facilities.
🦁 Permanent | 1 Post | Department of Agriculture | General Worker Animal Health | R144 024 per annum | Skukuza Kruger Park Mpumalanga | Apply Now.
General Worker Job Overview – Department of Agriculture Animal Health 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Title | General Worker |
| Ref No. | 3/3/1/26/2026 |
| Posts Available | X1 |
| Directorate | Animal Health |
| Department | Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development |
| Salary | R144 024 per annum (Level 02) |
| Location | Mpumalanga: Skukuza (Kruger National Park) |
| Qualification | ABET / Basic Education — essential |
| Experience | Previous experience with wild and large animals — recommended |
| Special Conditions | Extended working hours required |
| EE Target | Coloured, Indian & White Males; African, Coloured & White Females; Persons with Disability |
| Application Status | ✅ OPEN — Apply Now |
About the Role & Location – Skukuza Kruger National Park
Skukuza is the largest rest camp and operational headquarters of the Kruger National Park — South Africa’s premier wildlife reserve and one of Africa’s most iconic conservation areas. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development operates an Animal Health facility at Skukuza — responsible for the quarantine, care, clinical support, and health monitoring of wild and domestic animals within and around the park. As a General Worker at this facility, you will clean and maintain predator cages, stables, and bomas; care for quarantined animals and birds; assist veterinary staff with clinical work and necropsies; support game capture operations; and maintain the biosecurity and hygiene standards that protect both animal and human health at this unique government facility.
⚠️ Only 1 Post Available — Apply Immediately
This is a single, permanent government post at R144 024 per annum — based inside the Kruger National Park at Skukuza. Permanent government wildlife and animal health posts of this nature are extraordinarily rare. With only 1 post available, this vacancy will attract significant interest. Submit your application by hand or email without delay.
👉 Apply Now — General Worker Animal Health Ref: 3/3/1/26/2026
Purpose of the Role — General Worker Animal Health Skukuza
The General Worker maintains the hygiene, biosecurity, and operational readiness of the Skukuza Animal Health facility — caring for quarantined wild and domestic animals, cleaning predator cages, stables, and bomas, operating the incinerator, maintaining grounds and fencing, assisting veterinary staff with clinical work and necropsies, and supporting game capture operations inside the Kruger National Park.
Key Responsibilities – General Worker Animal Health Jobs Mpumalanga
Animal Facility Cleaning & Biosecurity
- Clean relevant workstations and dispose of infectious material safely and correctly
- Clean predator cages, stables, and bomas to required hygiene standards
- Remove bedding and wash floors and walls of animal holding facilities
- Maintain strict biosecurity standards at all workstations at all times
- Remove waste and foreign objects from the premises daily
Incinerator Operations & Waste Disposal
- Operate the incinerator for the incineration of refuse and biological waste
- Record the disposal of all incinerated items in accordance with departmental protocols
Animal Care & Quarantine Support
- Care for animals and birds accommodated at the quarantine facility
- Supply correct foodstuffs to animals in quarantine according to species requirements
- Rapid reporting of illness or abnormal behaviour in quarantined animals
- Daily recording of health parameters for all animals under care
- Perform basic animal husbandry duties
Grounds & Infrastructure Maintenance
- Maintain quarantine grounds, gardens, and the perimeter fence
- Mow lawns, trim edges, and remove vegetation from fences
- Conduct daily inspection of electric fence to ensure proper functioning and report faults
Clinical & Veterinary Support
- Assist with clinical work performed by veterinary staff
- Assist with necropsies (animal post-mortems) and carcass incineration
- Carry implements and equipment during clinical and field operations
- Assist with game capture operations inside the Kruger National Park
Minimum Requirements – General Worker Animal Health Government Job 2026
Qualifications (Essential)
- ABET certificate or Basic Education equivalent — essential
- Full Grade 12 / Matric is not required — this post is accessible to candidates with only basic literacy
Experience
- Previous experience working with wild and large animals — recommended and strongly advantageous
- No formal experience is listed as a hard requirement — candidates with wildlife, livestock, or veterinary facility experience will have a significant advantage
Job-Related Knowledge (Advantageous)
- Basic understanding of Public Service Regulations
- Familiarity with procurement procedures and PFMA principles
- Planning and organising in a work environment
- Cultural diversity awareness
- Health and safety in the workplace
Job-Related Skills Required
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Planning and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and analytical ability
- Interpretation and listening skills
Special Requirements
- Must be willing and able to work extended working hours as required
- Must be comfortable working with wild animals, large animals, and predators in a controlled facility environment
EE Targets — Preference Will Be Given To:
- Coloured Males
- Indian Males
- White Males
- African Females
- Coloured Females
- White Females
- Persons with Disability
Candidates from the above EE target groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Why Apply for This General Worker Job at Skukuza Kruger Park?
- Inside Kruger National Park — A Once-in-a-Career Government Post — Permanent government employment based inside the Kruger National Park is extraordinarily rare — this General Worker post at Skukuza is a truly unique opportunity that combines stable government employment with a world-class wildlife environment
- No Matric Required — Only an ABET or Basic Education certificate is needed — one of the most accessible government wildlife jobs in South Africa in 2026
- Permanent R144 024 Per Annum Government Salary — Stable, permanent Level 02 government employment with full public service benefits including pension fund and medical aid contributions
- Game Capture & Necropsy Assistance — Gain direct, hands-on exposure to wildlife game capture operations and veterinary necropsy procedures alongside qualified Department of Agriculture veterinary professionals — skills and experience found almost nowhere else
- Predator & Wildlife Animal Care — Clean and maintain predator cages, stables, and bomas — working in daily proximity with some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife species in a controlled facility setting
- Veterinary & Biosecurity Skills Development — Build practical biosecurity, animal husbandry, and veterinary support skills at a Department of Agriculture facility — creating a foundation for career development in animal health and wildlife management
Career Growth Path – Government Animal Health & Wildlife
- General Worker Animal Health (Level 02) ← Entry Point
- Senior General Worker / Farm Aid (Level 03)
- Auxiliary Services Officer / Animal Health Technician Support (Level 04)
- Animal Health Technician / Wildlife Veterinary Support
How to Apply – General Worker Ref 3/3/1/26/2026
Applications can be submitted in two ways:
Option 1 — Hand Delivery (during office hours):
20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002
Option 2 — Email:
Always quote reference number: 3/3/1/26/2026 in your application.
Enquiries:
Dr Linmarie de Klerk-Lorist 📞 (013) 735 9082
Frequently Asked Questions – General Worker Animal Health Jobs Skukuza 2026
Do I need a Matric or Grade 12 to apply for this General Worker post? No — a Matric or Grade 12 certificate is not required. The minimum qualification is an ABET certificate or Basic Education equivalent. Only basic literacy and numeracy are required. However, previous experience working with wild or large animals is strongly recommended and will give your application a significant advantage over other candidates.
What animals will I be working with at the Skukuza Animal Health facility? The Skukuza Animal Health facility handles a wide range of wild and domestic animals that require quarantine, health monitoring, or veterinary attention within and around the Kruger National Park. This includes predators (lion, leopard, cheetah), large herbivores (elephant, buffalo, rhino, hippo), birds, and quarantined domestic livestock. You will clean their holding facilities, supply food, record health parameters, and assist veterinary staff during clinical procedures and necropsies.
What is a necropsy and will I be expected to assist with one? A necropsy is a veterinary post-mortem examination — the animal equivalent of a human autopsy — performed to determine the cause of death in animals. As a General Worker you will assist veterinary staff during necropsies by carrying equipment, handling carcasses under supervision, and assisting with carcass incineration after the procedure. You will not be required to perform or interpret the necropsy yourself — that is the responsibility of the qualified veterinarian. Training on what to expect and how to assist will be provided.
What is a game capture operation and what will my role be? Game capture is the process of safely capturing, immobilising, and transporting wild animals for management, relocation, or veterinary purposes — a routine operation in Kruger National Park. As a General Worker you will assist the game capture team by carrying implements and equipment, supporting animal handling procedures under veterinary and ranger supervision, and performing supporting tasks as directed. This is one of the most exciting and unusual duties available in any entry-level South African government post.
Is this post based in Skukuza inside Kruger Park or in Pretoria? The work location is Skukuza, Mpumalanga — inside the Kruger National Park. Applications are submitted to the Pretoria address or by email, but all day-to-day work is performed at the Skukuza Animal Health facility. Candidates based in or able to relocate to the Skukuza / Kruger Park area of Mpumalanga are strongly encouraged to apply.
Who qualifies under the EE targets for this post? The EE (Employment Equity) targets are: Coloured Males, Indian Males, White Males, African Females, Coloured Females, White Females, and Persons with Disability. This broad EE target covers most demographic groups — preference will be given to qualifying candidates from these groups during the appointment process.
⚠️ Application Contact & Submission Details
Ref No: 3/3/1/26/2026 Email: GWrecruit26@nda.gov.za Hand Delivery: 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 Enquiries: Dr Linmarie de Klerk-Lorist — (013) 735 9082
👉 Apply for General Worker Animal Health – Skukuza Kruger Park
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Post last updated: April 2026 | Keywords: general worker jobs South Africa 2026, animal health jobs Skukuza 2026, government jobs Kruger National Park 2026, wildlife jobs Mpumalanga 2026, government jobs Mpumalanga 2026, no matric government jobs South Africa 2026, ABET government jobs 2026, game capture jobs South Africa 2026, predator cage cleaning government job 2026, permanent government jobs Mpumalanga 2026, Level 02 general worker government jobs 2026, Department of Agriculture animal health vacancies 2026, ref 3/3/1/26/2026 NDA general worker Skukuza, necropsy assistant government job South Africa 2026
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