CHIEF PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR REF NO: SAS: 3/1/1/1/2026/306

This position is for a Chief Professional Surveyor within the Examination, State and Land Reform Survey Services directorate, based in Mahikeng, North West. The role is a senior technical and managerial post within the public service, graded according to the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for surveyors. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading survey operations, managing complex and varied survey projects, and providing expert guidance to support land reform and state land administration in the region. The work sits at the intersection of technical survey practice, project management, governance, and people leadership, requiring a balance between hands-on professional judgment and strategic oversight.

To be considered, applicants must hold a Grade 12 certificate and a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Survey or Geomatics. Compulsory registration with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC) as a Professional Surveyor is required on appointment, specifically registration that enables the performance of cadastral surveys. In addition, a minimum of six years of post-qualification survey experience is essential. A valid driver's licence is also required. The role demands extensive job-related knowledge, including programme and project management, survey legal and operational compliance, survey design and analysis, computer-aided survey applications, research and development, mobile equipment operation, and technical consulting. Equally important are skills in strategic capability and leadership, problem solving, decision making, team leadership, creativity, verbal and written communication, people management, planning and organising, conflict management, negotiation, and change management.

The core duties involve designing, planning, and performing surveys to resolve practical challenges, improve efficiency, and enhance safety. The Chief Professional Surveyor will manage and plan surveys of a complex nature, develop cost-effective solutions, and approve surveys according to prescribed standards. The role includes promoting safety in line with statutory requirements, evaluating technical manuals and standard drawings to incorporate new technology, and providing expert advisory and support services. The incumbent must maintain survey operational effectiveness, set maintenance standards and service levels, and monitor efficiencies to direct or redirect survey services. Governance responsibilities include allocating, controlling, and reporting on all resources, compiling risk logs, and managing significant risks according to sound risk management practice. The position also involves providing technical consulting on survey-related matters, managing knowledge-sharing initiatives such as secondments, and ensuring the effective exchange and protection of information.

Financial and people management are also central to this role. The Chief Professional Surveyor will ensure funds are available and managed to meet Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) objectives, manage the operational capital project portfolio, and control expenditure according to budget. The candidate will also develop and motivate human resources, manage subordinates’ performance standards, and correct deviations to achieve departmental objectives. The department has specific employment equity targets for this vacancy, encouraging applications from Coloured, Indian and White males, African, Coloured, Indian and White females, and persons with disabilities. This is a demanding leadership opportunity for a seasoned professional surveyor seeking to contribute to public sector land administration and reform.