CHIEF PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced and registered professional surveyor to serve as Chief Professional Surveyor within the Examination Services directorate of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, based in Cape Town, Western Cape. This senior, OSD-graded position calls for a candidate who can provide expert technical leadership, strategic direction, and operational management across a wide spectrum of survey-related services. The successful appointee will be responsible for designing, planning and executing surveys that address complex practical challenges, improve efficiency, and uphold safety standards within a statutory and regulatory framework.

Applicants must hold a Grade 12 certificate and a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Survey or Geomatics, together with compulsory registration with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC) as a Professional Surveyor at the time of appointment. In addition, registration with the SAGC to perform cadastral surveys is mandatory. A minimum of six years of post-qualification survey experience is required, along with a valid driver's licence. The role demands a thorough working knowledge of programme and project management, survey legal and operational compliance, survey design and analysis, computer-aided survey applications, mobile equipment operation, and maintenance processes. The ideal candidate will also understand how to create a high-performance culture and how to apply sound professional judgment in technical consulting. Key personal and leadership skills include strategic capability, problem solving and analysis, decision making, team leadership, creativity, strong verbal and written communication, people management, planning and organising, conflict management, negotiation and change management.

As Chief Professional Surveyor, the incumbent will manage projects involving new and existing survey technologies, approve surveys according to prescribed standards, and develop cost-effective solutions. The role involves evaluating technical manuals, standard drawings and procedures to incorporate new technology, and providing expert advisory and support services. Maintaining survey operational effectiveness is central to the post, including setting maintenance standards, specifications and service levels, monitoring efficiencies, and ensuring that appropriate structures, systems and resources are in place to meet organisational objectives.

In the governance sphere, the position requires the allocation, control, monitoring and reporting on all resources, the compilation of risk logs, and the management of significant risk in line with sound risk management practice. The post also entails providing technical consulting to minimise survey risks, and championing knowledge sharing initiatives such as short-term assignments and secondments to support individual development and effective information management. Financial management responsibilities include ensuring funds are available to meet Medium-Term Expenditure Framework objectives, managing the operational capital project portfolio, overseeing the commercial value add of programmes and projects, and facilitating innovation proposals. The role further requires managing the development, motivation and utilisation of human resources, and directing subordinates through clearly set performance standards, monitoring and corrective action where deviations occur.

This position is advertised with specific employment equity targets, with preference given to African, Coloured and Indian males, Coloured, Indian and White females, and persons with disabilities. As this is a professional registration-sensitive role, candidates must be prepared to provide proof of all qualifications and SAGC registration before appointment. The post is based in the Western Cape and offers the chance to make a meaningful contribution to land reform and rural development through the technical excellence of its survey examination services.