Hiring Now | Tractor Driver | Middelburg, Eastern Cape | Permanent Government Position Available

The Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI), a directorate of the Department of Agriculture, is inviting applications for a permanent Tractor Driver position based in Middelburg, Eastern Cape. This is a government post at salary level 03, open to candidates who hold a minimum NQF Level 3 (Grade 10 certificate) and at least 1 year of relevant experience. The successful candidate will operate tractors with various implements, specialised machinery, and support general farming, maintenance, and administrative activities at one of South Africa’s most established agricultural research institutes. If you hold a valid Code C1 driver’s licence and have hands-on farming and tractor experience, apply without delay.

Don’t miss this opportunity — vacancies are filling fast. Apply today.

Job Overview

Detail	Information
Job Title	Tractor Driver
Reference Number	3/3/1/36/2026
Directorate	Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI)
Department	Department of Agriculture
Job Type	Permanent
Salary	R170 226 per annum (Level 03)
Location	Middelburg, Eastern Cape
EE Target	Africans and Persons with Disability
Application Status	Open – Accepting Applications Now

Please note: This is a government position within the Department of Agriculture. All application procedures — including hand delivery and email submission with the correct reference number — must be followed precisely. Applications that do not comply with the specified submission requirements may be disqualified.

This post has a specific EE target. Preference will be given to Africans and Persons with Disability in line with the Department’s Employment Equity plan. Candidates from these designated groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

What Does a Tractor Driver Do?

The Tractor Driver at GADI is a skilled equipment operator responsible for the physical execution of a broad range of farming activities across the institute’s research and production operations. GADI is a nationally significant agricultural research and development facility in Middelburg, Eastern Cape, and its research trials, pastures, and infrastructure depend on a competent, safety-conscious tractor operator to keep operations running smoothly and on schedule.

In this role, you will operate a tractor fitted with a variety of implements — including ploughs, rippers, planters, and crop sprayers — to support land cultivation, planting, tillage, harvesting, and general farming activities. Beyond tractor operation, you will also be required to operate specialised machinery such as harvesters, excavators, TLBs, and bulldozers, and to carry out road and firebreak maintenance. Vehicle and implement maintenance, logbook keeping, and fuel management form an important part of the daily administrative responsibilities of this post.

The ideal candidate brings at least 1 year of relevant tractor and farming experience, a sound working knowledge of farm equipment functioning and maintenance, and the practical ability to calibrate planters and sprayers, mix and apply herbicides and pesticides, and manage crop establishment activities. A valid Code C1 driver’s licence is an essential, non-negotiable requirement.

Please note: A valid Code C1 driver’s licence is an essential requirement for this position. Candidates who do not hold a valid Code C1 licence will not meet the minimum requirements and should not apply.

Key Responsibilities

Tractor & Implement Operation

• Operate a tractor with various implements attached, including ploughs, rippers, planters, crop sprayers, and other implements required for general farming activities at GADI.
• Execute land cultivation activities, including primary and secondary tillage operations in preparation for planting and trial establishment.
• Carry out planting operations for crops, pastures, and research trials using appropriate planters and equipment correctly calibrated for the relevant seed type and application rate.
• Perform tillage and inter-row cultivation operations as directed, supporting weed management and soil health between planting and harvest.
• Assist with harvesting of crops and trials using appropriate harvesting equipment and implements.
• Undertake transportation of various goods, materials, and farm produce across the institute using the tractor and appropriate trailer or transport equipment.
• Assist with firefighting activities using the tractor and relevant implements during fire events and fire prevention operations.
• Carry out fencing activities and mowing of lawn and grounds areas as required.

Specialised Machinery Operation

• Operate specialised machinery including harvesters, drilling equipment, excavators, TLB (Tractor Loader Backhoe), bulldozers, and sewer jetting machines as required.
• Ensure all specialised machinery is operated in accordance with manufacturer specifications, safety standards, and operational procedures.
• Conduct pre-operation inspections of all specialised machinery and report defects or concerns to the mechanical workshop before commencing operations.
• Apply appropriate techniques for each machine type, adapting to the specific demands of the task, terrain, and conditions at GADI.

Road & Firebreak Maintenance

• Perform road maintenance and construction-related functions across the institute’s internal road network using appropriate machinery.
• Carry out firebreak construction and maintenance operations, ensuring firebreaks are correctly established and maintained to the required standard for fire prevention purposes.
• Identify and report road surface defects, drainage problems, and maintenance requirements to the supervisor to ensure timely remediation.
• Apply correct grading and earthmoving techniques when using the tractor, TLB, or bulldozer for road and firebreak maintenance activities.

Vehicle & Implement Maintenance

• Ensure the safe storage, cleaning, and routine maintenance of all vehicles operated, in accordance with GADI’s equipment management procedures.
• Ensure the safe storage, cleaning, and routine maintenance of all implements, including checking for wear, damage, and correct function before and after use.
• Report defects timeously to the mechanical workshop to prevent further damage and ensure equipment is returned to service as quickly as possible.
• Assist with the dispensing and receiving of fuel and oils, ensuring correct quantities are recorded and all fuel handling is done safely and in accordance with regulations.

Administrative Support & Record-Keeping

• Maintain a farm vehicle month and kilometre logbook, recording all vehicle movements accurately and submitting reports as required.
• Ensure all vehicle and implement usage records are accurately completed and filed in line with GADI’s administrative procedures.
• Support basic administrative functions related to equipment, fuel, and maintenance as directed by the Farm Foreman or supervisor.
• Assist with herbicide and pesticide mixing records, ensuring that application rates and quantities are documented in accordance with safety and compliance requirements.

Minimum Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• NQF Level 3 (Grade 10 certificate) — minimum requirement.
• Any additional agricultural, mechanical, or plant operations certificate will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience — essential.
• Practical experience in tractor operation and the use of agricultural implements is a core requirement.
• Prior exposure to specialised machinery operation (TLB, bulldozer, harvester) will be a strong advantage.

Licences

• Valid Code C1 driver’s licence — essential and non-negotiable; candidates without a Code C1 licence will not be considered.

Technical Skills

• Tractor operation — competent in operating a tractor with a wide range of implements under varying field conditions.
• Specialised machinery operation — ability to operate TLBs, bulldozers, harvesters, excavators, and related equipment.
• Calibration of planters and crop sprayers — practical knowledge of calibration procedures to ensure accurate application rates.
• Basic calculations for mixing and application rates of herbicides and pesticides in line with label specifications and safety requirements.
• Functioning, maintenance, and repair of farm equipment and infrastructure — ability to carry out routine maintenance and identify defects requiring workshop attention.

Knowledge Requirements

• Establishment of pastures and cultivation of crops — working knowledge of the processes involved in establishing and maintaining crops and trial plots.
• Farming practices — broad practical knowledge of the farming operations typical of a research and production facility such as GADI.
• Farm equipment and infrastructure maintenance — understanding of the routine care and upkeep required for tractors, implements, and farm buildings.
• Road maintenance — familiarity with road grading, firebreak construction, and related earthmoving activities.

Skills & Competencies

• Tractor and implement operation — confident, safe, and skilled across a range of implements and field conditions.
• Planting and harvesting skills — practical competence in crop establishment and harvesting operations.
• Road maintenance skills — able to use the tractor and associated machinery for road grading, firebreak cutting, and drainage management.
• Attention to safety — applies all relevant safety standards when operating equipment and handling chemicals.
• Administrative and record-keeping ability — accurate in completing logbooks, fuel records, and maintenance reports.

Personal Attributes

• Physically fit and hardworking — this is a demanding, outdoor, hands-on role requiring physical stamina throughout each shift.
• Reliable and punctual — farm operations depend on equipment operators who show up ready to work.
• Safety-conscious — operates all equipment within applicable safety guidelines without exception.
• Adaptable — able to move between different machines, implements, and tasks as operational requirements change.
• Self-motivated — manages own workload and responsibilities effectively under the supervision of the Farm Foreman.

This post has a specific EE target: preference will be given to Africans and Persons with Disability. Candidates from these groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Core Values

Operational Safety

Tractor and machinery operation on a busy agricultural research facility carries real risk — to the operator, to colleagues, and to the infrastructure. GADI expects its Tractor Driver to apply safe operating practices consistently and without compromise, from pre-operation inspections and correct implement attachment to responsible chemical handling and emergency response during fire events.

Equipment Stewardship

The tractors, implements, and specialised machinery at GADI represent a significant government investment. The Tractor Driver is expected to treat all equipment with care — conducting routine maintenance, reporting defects without delay, storing implements correctly, and never operating machinery in a way that could result in avoidable damage. Good equipment stewardship extends the working life of assets and protects public resources.

Agricultural Commitment

GADI’s research and production activities serve a national purpose — advancing South Africa’s agricultural knowledge and capability. The Tractor Driver contributes to this mission every time they cultivate a trial plot, plant a crop, maintain a research pasture, or keep the institute’s roads and infrastructure in good condition. Understanding the value of this contribution and taking pride in it is what makes an outstanding Tractor Driver.

Reliability & Accountability

Farm schedules depend on equipment operators who show up, perform, and follow through. The Tractor Driver is accountable for the condition of the equipment they operate, the accuracy of the logbooks they maintain, and the quality of the fieldwork they execute. Accountability in this role means owning both the results and the records — completely and honestly.

Teamwork & Responsiveness

The Tractor Driver operates within a broader farm team that includes the Farm Foreman, other farm workers, and research staff. Responding promptly to instructions, communicating clearly about equipment status, and supporting colleagues across different farm activities as needed is what makes the GADI farm team function effectively as a unit.

Career Growth Opportunities

A permanent government position at GADI provides a stable platform for career development within the Department of Agriculture:

• Tractor Driver → Senior Tractor Driver / Lead Equipment Operator
• Senior Tractor Driver → Farm Artisan / Equipment Supervisor
• Farm Artisan → Farm Foreman
• Farm Foreman → Farm Manager / Agricultural Production Manager

Your career path is in your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum qualification required to apply for this Tractor Driver post? The minimum educational requirement is an NQF Level 3 certificate, equivalent to a Grade 10. No higher qualification is required, though any additional agricultural, mechanical, or equipment operation certificate will be advantageous. Practical hands-on experience and a valid Code C1 driver’s licence are equally important.

Is the Code C1 driver’s licence strictly required, or will a Code B licence be accepted? A valid Code C1 driver’s licence is an essential, non-negotiable requirement for this post. A Code B (light motor vehicle) licence is not sufficient. Candidates who do not hold a valid Code C1 licence will not meet the minimum requirements and should not apply.

What is the salary for this government Tractor Driver post? The position is remunerated at R170 226 per annum (salary level 03) in terms of the applicable government salary scale. This is a structured government salary and is not negotiable. It may be supplemented by applicable government employee benefits.

What types of machinery will I be required to operate beyond a standard tractor? In addition to tractor and implement operation, this role requires the ability to operate specialised machinery including TLBs, bulldozers, harvesters, excavators, drilling equipment, and sewer jetting machines. Candidates with prior experience on any of these machine types will have a strong advantage during shortlisting.

Who is the EE target for this post, and does it affect my application? The EE target for this post is Africans and Persons with Disability. Preference will be given to candidates from these groups during the selection process in line with the Department’s Employment Equity plan. Candidates from other backgrounds may still apply but should be aware that the appointment will reflect the Department’s EE commitments.

How do I apply, and who do I contact for enquiries? Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002, or by email to TDrecruit36@nda.gov.za. Quote reference number 3/3/1/36/2026 in all correspondence. For enquiries, contact Mr Thabo Molekwa on Tel: (049) 802 6633 or Dr Loraine Van Den Berg on Tel: (049) 802 6740.

How to Apply

Ready to apply for this permanent government Tractor Driver position at GADI in Middelburg? Applications are open now. Quote reference number 3/3/1/36/2026 in all correspondence.

👉 Email: TDrecruit36@nda.gov.za

🏢 Hand Delivery (office hours only): 20 Steve Biko Street Agriculture Place Arcadia, Pretoria 0002

📞 Mr Thabo Molekwa – Tel: (049) 802 6633 📞 Dr Loraine Van Den Berg – Tel: (049) 802 6740

Quote reference number 3/3/1/36/2026 on all correspondence and application submissions.

Applications submitted by hand must be delivered during office hours only. Applications received outside of office hours will not be accepted.

This post has a specific EE target: Africans and Persons with Disability. Candidates from these groups are encouraged to apply.

Late applications will not be considered. Government vacancies close quickly — apply immediately.

Apply early — government vacancies close quickly.

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