Senior Soil Scientist - Land Management & Conservation

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 98,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Soil Scientist to join our client, a leading environmental consultancy, in a remote SA role. You will evaluate soil health, develop land management plans, and advise on conservation strategies for agricultural and natural resource projects across South Africa, focusing on the Eastern Cape region.

The ideal candidate has a Masters or PhD in Soil Science or related field, 8+ years of experience, and expertise in soil physics, chemistry, and biology.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agronomy, or related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in soil science, land management, or environmental consulting.
• In-depth knowledge of soil physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Proven experience in soil survey, land evaluation, and the development of management and conservation plans.
• Expertise in assessing land degradation and designing remediation strategies.
• Familiarity with remote sensing and GIS technologies for soil and land analysis is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and research skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality technical reports.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote setting.
• Understanding of South African environmental legislation and agricultural context.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed soil characterization and assessment for various land-use applications, including agriculture, mining, and conservation projects.
• Develop and implement soil management plans to enhance fertility, structure, and water-holding capacity.
• Analyze soil data to identify issues such as erosion, compaction, salinization, and nutrient depletion.
• Design and oversee remediation strategies for degraded soils.
• Advise on best practices for soil conservation, including cover cropping, no-till farming, and terracing.
• Evaluate the impact of agricultural practices and land use changes on soil health and ecosystem services.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, scientific publications, and grant proposals.
• Provide expert guidance and technical support to clients, government agencies, and project teams.
• Stay current with advancements in soil science, environmental regulations, and sustainable land management techniques.

Skills

Soil Science

GIS

Remote Sensing

Data Analysis

Environmental Consulting

Education

Master's or PhD in Soil Science/Environmental Science/Agronomy

Tools

GIS

Remote Sensing

Soil Survey

Statistical Analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading environmental consultancy dedicated to promoting sustainable land use and conservation practices, is seeking a Senior Soil Scientist to join their team remotely. This role will focus on evaluating soil health, developing land management plans, and advising on conservation strategies for agricultural and natural resource projects across South Africa, with a particular focus on regions like the Eastern Cape . The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of soil science principles, including soil physics, chemistry, and biology, coupled with expertise in land degradation assessment and remediation. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to environmental sustainability through advanced soil science research and application, working from a remote location while collaborating with field teams and clients nationwide. Your insights will be critical in guiding responsible land stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed soil characterization and assessment for various land-use applications, including agriculture, mining, and conservation projects.
• Develop and implement soil management plans to enhance fertility, structure, and water-holding capacity.
• Analyze soil data to identify issues such as erosion, compaction, salinization, and nutrient depletion.
• Design and oversee remediation strategies for degraded soils.
• Advise on best practices for soil conservation, including cover cropping, no-till farming, and terracing.
• Evaluate the impact of agricultural practices and land use changes on soil health and ecosystem services.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, scientific publications, and grant proposals.
• Provide expert guidance and technical support to clients, government agencies, and project teams.
• Stay current with advancements in soil science, environmental regulations, and sustainable land management techniques.

Requirements

• A Master's or Ph.D. in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agronomy, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in soil science, land management, or environmental consulting.
• In-depth knowledge of soil physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Proven experience in soil survey, land evaluation, and the development of management and conservation plans.
• Expertise in assessing land degradation and designing remediation strategies.
• Familiarity with remote sensing and GIS technologies for soil and land analysis is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and research skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality technical reports.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote setting.
• Understanding of South African environmental legislation and agricultural context.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive remote salary, flexible working hours, comprehensive health benefits, and a retirement savings plan. Employees benefit from the ability to work from anywhere in South Africa , contributing to significant environmental projects that promote sustainability and responsible land use. Opportunities for professional development, attending virtual conferences, and engaging with a network of environmental experts are provided. This role in Queenstown, Eastern Cape (and remote locations) offers a chance to make a substantial impact on land conservation efforts.