Chief Professional Surveyor (Cape Town)

About the role

The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development is hiring a Chief Professional Surveyor in Examination Services, based in Western Cape (Cape Town). This is a permanent post, paying R1,143,468 a year. How to apply: Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to: 4th floor, No 2 Riebeeck Street, ABSA Building, Cape Town or by email to Post305@dlrrd.gov.za Reference number to quote: 3/1/1/1/2026/305 Closing date: 09 November 2026 at 16:00 Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV. Note: EE Targets: African, Coloured and Indian Males, and Coloured, Indian and White Females, and Persons with disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and perform surveys to solve practical survey problems (challenges), improve efficiency and enhance safety.
• Manage projects on the application of new and existing survey technologies.
• Manage and plan surveys of a varied and complex nature.
• Develop cost-effective solutions and approve surveys according to prescribed requirements/standards.
• Promote safety in line with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate existing technical manuals, standard drawings and procedures to incorporate new technology.
• Provide expert advisory and support services.
• Maintain survey operational effectiveness.
• Manage the execution of maintenance strategy through the provision of appropriate structures, systems and resources.
• Set survey maintenance standards, specifications and service levels according to organisational objectives.
• Monitor maintenance efficiencies according to organisational goals to direct or redirect survey services.
• Governance.
• Allocate, control, monitor and report on all resources.
• Compile risk logs and manage significant risk according to sound risk management practice and organisational requirements.
• Provide technical consulting services for the operation on survey-related matters to minimise possible survey risks.
• Manage and implement knowledge sharing initiatives e.g. short-term assignments and secondments within and across operations, in support of individual development plans, operational requirements and return on investment.
• Monitor the exchange and protection of information between operations and individuals to ensure effective knowledge management according to departmental objectives.
• Financial management.
• Ensure the availability of and management of funds to meet the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) objectives within the survey environment/services.
• Manage the operational capital project portfolio for the operation to ensure effective resourcing according to organisational needs and objectives.
• Manage the commercial value add of the discipline-related programmes and projects.
• Facilitate the compilation of innovation proposals to ensure validity and adherence to organisational principles.
• Allocate, control and monitor expenditure according to budget to ensure efficient cash flow management.
• People management.
• Manage the development, motivation and utilisation of human resources for the discipline to ensure a competent knowledge base for the continued success of the survey services according to the organisational needs and requirements.
• Manage subordinates’ key performance areas by setting and monitoring performance standards and taking actions to correct deviations to achieve departmental objectives.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements:
• Grade 12 Certificate and a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Survey/Geomatics
• Compulsory registration with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC) as a Professional Surveyor on appointment
• Compulsory registration with SAGC as a Professional Surveyor to perform cadastral Surveys
• At least 6 years post-qualification survey experience required
• Job related knowledge:
• Programme and project management
• Survey
• Legal and operational compliance
• Survey operational communication
• Process knowledge and skills
• Maintenance and knowledge
• Mobile equipment operating
• Survey design and analysis
• Research and development
• Computer-aided survey applications
• Creating high-performance culture
• Technical consulting
• Survey and professional judgment
• Job related skills:
• Strategic capability and leadership
• Problem solving and analysis
• Decision making
• Team leadership
• Creativity
• Communication (verbal and written)
• People management
• Planning and Organising
• Conflict management
• Negotiation and Change management
• A valid drivers licence