Agricultural Research Council (ARC) invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for their Casual Worker vacancies (5 Posts). The closing date for applications is 28 November 2025. This is a short-term work opportunity for people who want real experience in the agricultural sector and are willing to work outdoors while supporting farm and orchard operations.

Work and Learn with the Agricultural Research Council

Many young job seekers in South Africa struggle to find opportunities that allow them to gain real workplace experience. The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is offering a three-month contract where successful applicants will carry out hands-on agricultural duties while learning on the job. This work is ideal for individuals who are interested in farming, plant science, or agricultural maintenance but may not yet have formal experience in the field.

The casual worker role is based at ARC’s experimental and research orchards, where crops are grown and agricultural research is carried out. The main purpose of this opportunity is to support orchard maintenance, equipment management, and general farm operations. Applicants must be willing to perform manual labour and work outdoors, even when the weather is challenging.

What This Job Involves

The ARC casual worker position focuses on practical tasks that help to maintain research orchards and support agricultural experiments. Workers will be responsible for day-to-day duties that ensure crops, equipment, and farm areas are maintained properly. These tasks are essential because they help researchers and farm teams collect accurate results, protect crops, and keep operations running smoothly.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Casual workers will be expected to perform duties such as:

• Carrying out general orchard maintenance, including basic farm work
• Completing manual tasks assigned by supervisors
• Protecting field trials from interference by animals and other environmental factors
• Using and maintaining farming tools and equipment responsibly
• Following all workplace safety rules and instructions

These responsibilities give workers exposure to real agricultural operations and help build skills that can be useful in future farm or research jobs.

Orchard Maintenance and Field Work

A large part of the job involves keeping the orchards clean, organised, and protected. Workers may be asked to:

• Weed, prune, clean or prepare orchard areas
• Assist with planting, fertilising, or treating crops
• Monitor orchard conditions and report issues

Field maintenance helps protect agricultural trials, ensures crops are not damaged, and improves the success of experiments done by ARC researchers.

Tool and Equipment Handling

Workers will also be required to handle farm equipment safely. This may include:

• Manual tools such as rakes, hoes, and clippers
• Machinery used for agricultural tasks
• Small equipment for orchard maintenance

Applicants do not need advanced training, but basic knowledge of manual machinery is recommended.

Safety Standards

All employees must follow workplace health and safety guidelines. This includes:

• Wearing appropriate safety gear
• Listening carefully to instructions
• Avoiding unsafe behaviour in the work environment
• Reporting hazards to supervisors

Agriculture involves physical work, chemicals, machinery, and uneven outdoor environments. Safety awareness is essential.

What You Need to Qualify

ARC does not require advanced education or formal work experience. Instead, the organisation is looking for hardworking individuals who are willing to learn and perform hands-on tasks in an agricultural environment.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must have:

• Grade 10 or equivalent
• Basic understanding of farming practices
• Basic knowledge of how to operate farm machinery manually
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Awareness of safety procedures and willingness to follow them
• Willingness to work outside in different weather conditions

This opportunity is suitable for young people, new job seekers, or anyone interested in agriculture who wants short-term paid experience.

What Candidates Should Prepare

Interested applicants must submit:

• A covering letter
• A detailed CV
• Certified copies of certificates, qualifications, and identity documents
• Driver’s licence (if applicable)
• Contactable references
• SAQA evaluation for foreign qualifications

Applications that are incomplete or missing documents will not be considered. Candidates who do not receive a response within four weeks after the closing date should assume their application was unsuccessful.

Employment Details and Conditions

This position is:

• A fixed-term three-month contract
• Classified as junior-level work
• Paid with a competitive salary based on market standards

The ARC follows South African Employment Equity principles, meaning preference may be given to candidates from designated groups. Permanent roles at ARC normally include a probation period, although this position is short-term.

Security clearance checks may also apply before appointment.

Why This Job Matters

Short-term roles like this help South Africans gain:

• Real agricultural experience
• Knowledge of farm tools and orchard work
• Understanding of workplace structures and safety rules
• A stepping stone into long-term careers in farming, agricultural science, or horticulture

Many young people struggle to get their first job because of lack of experience. ARC offers an opportunity to grow skills, work in a real agricultural environment, and build a work record that can open doors to future employment.