Land Use Officer

About the role

The Department of Agriculture is hiring a Land Use Officer in Land and Soil Management, based in Gauteng Pretoria. This is a permanent post, paying R413,001 a year. How to apply: Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to: 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 or by email LUOrecruit98@nda.gov.za. Reference number to quote: 3/3/1/98/2026 Closing date: 30 October 2026 at 16:00 Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV. Note: EE Targets: African, Coloured, White Males and Indian Females, and persons with disability.

Responsibilities

• Promote the preservation and sustainable development of agricultural land.
• Assist with the development of norms and standards.
• Provide technical inputs on SALA/PDALA assessment criteria.
• Provide technical inputs on the development of PDALA Regulations.
• Promote the preservation of agricultural land by municipalities and other stakeholders.
• Review and update list of properties to be excluded from SALA/PDALA.
• Implement regulatory, technical, strategic and administrative frameworks.
• Conduct desktop analysis to provide technical inputs on the evaluation of SALA/PDALA applications, including compilation of maps.
• Determine land use status:
• Agricultural land/nonagricultural land and nature of applications
• Consult applicable legislations concerning land use
• Review applications to ensure compliance with land use guidelines and legislations
• Compile technical evaluation reports for the review of SALA/PDALA applications based on the desktop analysis and technical interpretation in relation to the application details.
• Submit applications to committee with recommendations to make determinations about application based on the guidelines, norms and standards.
• Present applications to the evaluation review committee for consideration by the Delegate of the Minister.
• Maintain a record of applications progress for applications under review.
• Provide monthly reports on hectares retained or lost and related statistical information on land used related applications.
• Verify completeness of new applications.
• Update the Helpdesk and related operational systems.
• Draft monthly progress reports.
• Assess, interpret and create maps, aerial photography and satellite images of Agricultural land.
• Collaboration with relevant spheres of government and affected stakeholders involved with the administration of land use.
• Apply technical and legislative and compliance in responding to land use and related enquiries.
• Advise stakeholders/applicants on procedures, norms and standards on land use matter related to SALA/PDALA to ensure compliance to the legislations.
• Attend to enquires of public, professional land surveyors, planning community and attorneys.
• Participate with demarcation of agricultural land with municipalities and departments responsible for municipalities and traditional areas.
• Participate in intergovernmental and other stakeholders’ forums.
• Advise and take remedial actions on the land use matters.
• Human Capital Development.
• Allocate and ensure quality of work.
• Ensure capacity and development of staff.
• Ensure proper utilization of equipment.
• Assess staff performance.
• Apply discipline.

Requirements

• Applicant must be in possession of a Grade 12 certificate and a National Diploma within Agriculture disciplines (NQF Level 6).
• At least 1 year experience.
• Job related knowledge:
• Public Service Regulations
• PFMA
• CARA
• SALA
• PDALA
• Natural agricultural resources of South Africa
• Natural resources/environmental legislation
• Job related skills:
• Ability to communicate well and interact with people at different levels
• Planning
• Management and Organising
• Creativity
• Law enforcement
• Interpretation skills
• Problem solving
• Analytical skills
• Negotiations skills
• Listening skills
• Computer literacy
• Report writing
• Valid driver’s license
• Working extended hours and travelling