Senior Surveyor

Job Purpose

Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Forest Resource Information Management (FRIM), the Senior Surveyor is responsible for conducting land surveying activities related to the estate of the Forestry Department. The role involves utilizing standard survey techniques and equipment to accurately measure and map forest estates and boundaries. 

Key Responsibilities

Management/Administrative Responsibilities: 

• Provides leadership and direction to the surveying team, ensuring work is executed according to established standards, timelines, and organizational priorities.
• Reviews and verifies the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of survey data and deliverables before submission or archival. 
• Maintains detailed survey records, field notes, sketches, and digital files to document all work conducted, ensuring they are accessible for legal or operational reference.
• Prepares and submits comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, capturing progress against work plans, challenges encountered, and recommendations for improvement. 
• Represents the Agency at stakeholder meetings, technical workshops, inter-agency forums, and professional conferences, as assigned by the Director or CEO.
• Performs other related duties and special assignments as directed to support the goals of the Division and Agency. 

Technical /Professional Responsibilities 

• Plans, coordinates, and executes a range of ground surveys to determine geodetic control points, baseline references, elevations, and estate boundary data critical to forest estate and land management. 
• Undertakes boundary verification and demarcation activities in collaboration with Commissioned Land Surveyors, ensuring alignment with legal cadastral records and GPS/GNSS data.
• Re-establishes or reopens estate boundaries using precise survey methodologies and under the supervision of a Commissioned Land Surveyor where legally required.
• Conducts comprehensive research of land titles, registered survey plans, legal instruments, and historical records to clarify and validate disputed or ambiguous boundary data. 
• Prepares detailed cost estimates and technical justifications for survey operations, including labour, equipment, transport, and related field expenses. 
• Recommends the procurement, upgrading, or calibration of survey instruments and software based on technological advancements and operational needs. 
• Gathers and evaluates preliminary data sources—such as satellite imagery, topographic maps, and GIS records—to inform survey design and execution strategies.
• Oversees and reviews the creation of topographic, cadastral, and infrastructure maps, ensuring cartographic accuracy and GIS compatibility. 
• Drafts legal descriptions and narrative boundary reports for inclusion in gazettal documents, land transactions, or regulatory submissions 
• Ensures all surveying equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and adjusted, coordinating with external service providers as necessary to minimize downtime.
• Conducts site assessments and terrain evaluations, documenting constraints and opportunities relevant to boundary management or land-use planning. 
• Liaises regularly with the National Land Agency (NLA) and other government entities to collect, verify, and exchange spatial data, maps, and official survey plans.
• Analyses technical specifications and survey objectives to determine the most appropriate methodologies, instruments, and personnel requirements for execution. 
• Reviews and provides technical feedback on development applications, land-use plans, and environmental reports submitted to the Agency, with specific focus on boundary alignment, land encroachment, and estate compliance. 
• Develop knowledge base materials for the Agency 
• Generate and participate in the Agency’s social media campaign 
• Any other related duties that are assigned periodically. 

Required Competencies:

The post-holder will be able to demonstrate: 

• Knowledge of Land Surveying 
• Knowledge and experience using ESRI ArcGIS software for planning purposes
• Competent in the application and use of survey techniques and instrumentations including Total Station, GPS, Levels 
• Sound analytical and strategic thinking 
• Sound judgement and excellent leadership ability 
• Strong interpersonal skill 
• Effective oral and written communication skills 
• Strong customer orientation skill 
• Ability to build partnerships to achieve operational goals 
• Proficiency in computer aided drawing application 
• Ability to make rational decisions based on a sound understanding of facts
• Good knowledge of information technology for supporting management and operations
• Ability to manage limited resources to achieve output targets 
• Sound personal and professional integrity 

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Land Surveying, Engineering Technology or equivalent
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience, with one being in a supervisory role. 

OR 

• Diploma in Land Surveying or equivalent studies 
• Five (5) years’ related experience with 2 years in a supervisory role. 

OR 

• Any other related combination of qualifications and experience 

PLUS 

• Forestry-related experience would be a definite asset. 
• Working knowledge of GIS, and Drone Technology 
• Certification in Supervisory Management 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Primarily field-based – hence, prevailing environmental and physical conditions must be constantly mitigated. 
• All island coverage, hence, may have to overnight at alternate bases. May be required to work on holidays and or weekends. 

AUTHORITY TO

• Incur expenses within agreed budgetary limits. 
• Determine methods and procedures for establishing survey control.
• Making technical decisions based on constraints. 

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Custody and Maintenance of Survey Equipment- assigned and otherwise
• Accuracy and integrity of Survey data 
• Team performance and Supervision 
• Data archiving and Integration 
• Reporting. 
• Compliance with Survey, Safety and Operational Standards

We thank all persons who express an interest; however, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.