Platoon Commander (Fire/Rescue)

About the role

Prince Albert Municipality, in its Community Services Directorate (Fire/Rescue and Disaster Management), is advertising an external vacancy for a Platoon Commander (post WC052-1.3.2.5.1). The post is permanent, at T10 of a Category 1 Municipality, and is open to historically disadvantaged individuals and people with disabilities. Applications close on Friday 30 October 2026.

Key responsibilities

• Operational command: lead, manage and supervise personnel during emergencies, take command at incidents in the absence of a senior officer using the Incident Command System, direct firefighting, rescue, hazmat and law enforcement operations, and conduct post-incident evaluations and reports.
• Personnel management: supervise, mentor and evaluate subordinates, run daily briefings, allocate duties, oversee shift handovers, identify training needs and enforce the Code of Conduct, OHS Act and disciplinary codes.
• Administration: keep operational records, occurrence books and attendance registers, prepare incident, vehicle and equipment reports, and manage leave schedules, performance assessments and duty rosters.
• Equipment readiness: ensure vehicles, tools and equipment are ready and clean, inspect them and report faults, and maintain station discipline.
• Fire prevention and community safety: take part in awareness campaigns, carry out fire safety inspections and help enforce by-laws and legislation.
• Coordination: liaise with joint operations, disaster management, traffic and medical services during incidents.

Required profile

• Grade 12; Fire Officer 1; Firefighter 1 and 2 IFSAC accredited; Hazmat awareness and operations IFSAC accredited; First Aid level 3; Fire Prevention course; Fire Service Instructor IFSAC accredited.
• Higher Certificate in Fire Technology and 6 years of operational experience, of which 2 years at Senior Firefighter level.
• Peace Officer courses and Code C1 driver's licence.
• Effective communication in at least two of the three official languages of the Western Cape.

Required skills

• Good management, human relations, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.
• Level 3 competencies in the Fire and Rescue Competency Framework, including firefighting, rescue, hazmat and urban search and rescue, fire safety and prevention, welfare and emergency medical care, call taking and dispatch, coaching and mentoring.

What we offer

• Pay of R 294 335.52 to R 382 094.64 per annum, subject to task evaluation.
• Pension and medical aid contributions, housing subsidy and a thirteenth cheque after 12 months, subject to Council policy.

Applications are made on the prescribed form with certified copies of qualifications, CV, ID, driver's licence and courses, sent by post or email by the closing date.