Agri GIS Architect (PTA/JHB Hybrid)

DataFin; Centurion, Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

An AgriTech Start-Up in Centurion seeks an Agri GIS Architect to lead GIS capabilities and data tools for agriculture in South Africa. The role requires a Degree in GIS/Geo-Informatics and over 10 years' experience, including proficiency in R and familiarity with agricultural systems. Ideal candidates are energetic and independent problem-solvers dedicated to adding value to farmers.

Qualifications

• A suitable Degree GIS / Geo-Informatics, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, or other relevant qualifications.
• More than 10 years’ experience in a relevant line of work.
• Proficient in coding in R and some experience in Python.
• Experience in managing remote sensing databases.

Responsibilities

• Lead the direction of GIS & Remote Sensing capabilities.
• Assess applicable satellite imagery or remote sensing data.
• Develop tools aiding carbon projects and data collection.

Skills

Remote sensing databases

GIS work

Coding in R

Understanding of agricultural systems

Statistics and Data Analysis

Education

Degree in GIS / Geo-Informatics, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture

Tools

Open-source GIS databases

Python

Job description

ENVIRONMENT

A dynamic AgriTech Start-Up in Pretoria seeks your deep knowledge of remote sensing databases and GIS work, an understanding of agricultural systems, coding experience and a drive to make an impact in South African agriculture to be its next Agri GIS Architect. You will lead the initial direction of GIS & Remote Sensing capabilities, including building various tools aiding data collection and soil carbon modelling processes. The successful incumbent must possess a Degree GIS / Geo-Informatics, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, or other relevant qualification with 10 years’ experience in a relevant line of work with proficiency coding in R and using open-source GIS databases. You must also have SAGC membership or with a similar organisation.

DUTIES

• Assist in building ground-breaking GIS capabilities and helping build up a team of GIS Specialists over the coming years.
• Assess which satellite imagery or remote sensing data is most applicable and cost-effective for the business purposes.
• Use farmer data to develop / improve various tools which aid carbon projects and data collection processes. These include the following potential tools that can be developed with time:
• Cover crop biomass determination
• Grassland biomass production determination
• Cash crop identification tool
• Tillage intensity tool
• Automated field delineations or removal of non-cultivated areas
• from polygons
• Automated field history determinations (e.g. conversions from
• forestry to cultivation or grassland to cultivation, etc.)
• Field stratification
• Support Carbon Model Developers to develop tools/data feeding into digital soil mapping carbon models.
• With time, building tools which add value to farmer’s operations.

REQUIREMENTS

• A suitable Degree GIS / Geo-Informatics, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, or other relevant qualifications.
• Have >10 years’ experience in a relevant line of work.
• Have some experience in coding (such as Python) and am proficient in coding in R.
• Cleaning, interpreting and managing remote sensing databases.
• Experience in open-source GIS databases / coding.
• Understand agricultural systems and enjoy adding value to farmers.
• Have membership with SAGC or a similar organisation.
• Technically strong in Statistics and Data Analysis.

ATTRIBUTES

• Energetic, am looking for a new challenge and am eager to learn new skills.
• Communicate well with people and am able to work independently, staying focused on an agreed strategy / goal.