Geographic Information Systems Tech Specialist

Cape National Recruitment Pty Ltd; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a GIS Technology Specialist to enhance geospatial capabilities in agriculture. Responsibilities include designing and optimizing GIS systems, conducting spatial analysis, and managing enterprise databases. Ideal candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and possess 5–7 years of GIS experience, with strong knowledge of remote sensing, QGIS, and ESRI ArcGIS. This position is based in Centurion, South Africa, and offers an opportunity to lead innovative projects.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Geographic Information Systems, Geoinformatics, Environmental Science, Geospatial Sciences, or a related discipline.
• 5–7 years of professional GIS experience, preferably within agricultural, environmental, or natural resource sectors.
• Experience designing and managing enterprise GIS systems and spatial data infrastructures (SDI).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of Geographic Information Systems.
• Conduct spatial analysis and predictive modelling to support decisions.
• Develop tools and scripts for GIS workflows automation.

Skills

QGIS

ESRI ArcGIS

Python

Remote Sensing

Spatial Analysis

Database Management

Leadership

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geographic Information Systems

Honours degree in Geographic Information Systems

Tools

PostGIS

ArcSDE

SQL

Job description

Our client in Centurion in die agriculture industry, has a permenent role available for a GIS Technology Specialist (Senior role). Open to all ethnicities.

Spec:

MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE AND GENERAL ROLE EXPECTATIONS

Our client is seeking an experienced and skilled GIS Technology Specialist to advance the organisation’s geospatial capabilities. The successful candidate will lead the design, implementation, and optimisation of Geographic Information Systems to support strategic decision‑making in agricultural, commercial, and environmental projects. The role includes spatial data analysis, mapping and predictive modelling, remote sensing applications, and development of GIS tools and platforms to drive innovation and efficiency.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION/TRAINING

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Geographic Information Systems, Geoinformatics, Environmental Science, Geospatial Sciences, or a related discipline.
• An Honours degree or higher in Geographic Information Systems, Geoinformatics, Environmental Science, Geospatial Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Registration with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC) is mandatory.
• Additional certifications in Remote Sensing, Database Management, Cloud GIS, or Programming are advantageous.

REQUIRED MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE

• 5–7 years of professional GIS experience, preferably within agricultural, environmental, or natural resource sectors.
• Experience designing and managing enterprise GIS systems and spatial data infrastructures (SDI).
• Proven experience with remote sensing, LiDAR, UAV/drone data, and large raster datasets (eg Sentinel, Landsat, Planet etc.)
• Experience delivering Web GIS, dashboards, and production‑ready GIS applications.
• Map algebra, spatial analysis and spatial statistics.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

1. Enterprise Spatial Data Management
2. Advanced GIS Analysis & Predictive Modelling
3. Map Production, Cartography & Visualisation
4. Automation, Scripting & Tool Development
5. Remote Sensing & Advanced Imagery Analytics
6. Stakeholder & Project Leadership

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE/ COMPETENCIES

Expert proficiency in QGIS and ESRI ArcGIS platforms (Desktop, Pro, Enterprise). Geospatial database design and administration (PostGIS, ArcSDE) and SDI principles. Advanced knowledge of map algebra, geostatistics, and machine learning for geospatial applications. Extensive experience with remote sensing, LiDAR, photogrammetry, and high‑resolution raster analysis. Proficiency in Python (PyQGIS, ArcPy), R, and SQL for advanced geospatial workflows and automation. Experience with cloud‑based geoprocessing and platforms (Google Earth Engine, AWS, Azure). Web GIS development: experience with APIs, ArcGIS Online/Enterprise, Leaflet, or similar frameworks. Ability to design and deliver dashboards, custom applications, and automated processing pipelines.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Thinking – align GIS work with business strategy and long‑term goals.
• Innovation – champions new tools and methods to improve geospatial outputs.
• Leadership – mentors’ junior staff and leads cross‑functional projects.
• Analytical Excellence – interprets complex spatial data and turns it into actionable insights.
• Collaboration – communicates effectively across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Adaptability – responds to changing project requirements and technological advancements.
• Communication – explains technical concepts clearly to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Attention to detail – Ensures accuracy in data handling, analysis and map production.

DESCRIPTION OF TASKS / KEY PERFORMANCE AREA / INPUT/TASK / OUTPUT/STANDARD/EXPECTED RESULTS

1 Enterprise Spatial Data Management

• Design, manage and optimise enterprise level GIS databases and spatial data infrastructure (SDI). Ensure integration of multiple data sources, enforce metadata standards and implement data governance.
• Maintain geospatial datasets with at least 98% accuracy and completeness.
• All datasets to comply with metadata standards.
• Update enterprise GIS within 24 hours of receiving verified new data.

2 GIS Analysis & Predictive Modelling

• Conduct spatial analysis, predictive modelling and geospatial machine learning to support strategic agricultural and environmental decisions.
• Develop a minimum of 4 advanced spatial or predictive models per quarter.
• Validate 95% of models via peer review or benchmarking.
• Deliver analysis reports within agreed project timelines.

3 Map Production, Cartography & Visualisation

• Design and produce professional maps, dashboards and data visualisations for operational and strategic stakeholders.
• Produce maps and visual outputs with 99% spatial accuracy.
• Achieve ≥95% stakeholder satisfaction for map and dashboard quality.
• Deliver products on or before agreed deadlines.

4 Automation, Scripting & Tool Development

• Develop and maintain scripts, geoprocessing models and custom tools (Python, R, SQL) to automate GIS workflows and enable repeatable analysis.
• Automate at least 10 GIS workflows annually. Develop a minimum of 5 reusable tools/scripts per year.
• Reduce manual processing time by ≥40%.
• Ensure all code is documented and version controlled.

5 Remote Sensing & Advanced Imagery Analytics

• Lead processing and analysis of satellite, LiDAR and UAV/drone imagery for land use, crop health and environmental monitoring.
• Achieve ≥90% accuracy in image classification tasks (where ground truth is available).
• Deliver processed imagery outputs within 5 working days of data acquisition.
• Maintain an accessible repository of processed imagery.

6 Stakeholder & Project Leadership

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to define GIS requirements, lead project delivery and provide expert advisory services.
• Respond to stakeholder requests within 3 working days.
• Successfully lead/support at least 6 collaborative projects annually.
• Achieve ≥90% satisfaction in stakeholder engagement surveys.