Senior Soil Scientist - Land Reclamation Specialist

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonus

Health, dental, and vision insurance

PTO and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Retirement savings plan

Company vehicle or travel allowance

Job summary

Placements24, on behalf of a respected environmental consultancy in Pretoria, seeks a Senior Soil Scientist with land reclamation expertise to lead field investigations, data analysis, and remediation planning.

The role combines field oversight with office-based reporting, requiring strong communication with clients and regulators, and a track record in GIS and soil health programs.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Soil Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in soil science, with a focus on land reclamation and remediation.
• Extensive knowledge of soil physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Proven experience in conducting field investigations and interpreting soil analytical data.
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations pertaining to land use and remediation.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Experience in project management and leading technical teams.
• Ability to work effectively in both field and office settings (hybrid model).
• Proficiency in GIS and other relevant environmental modeling software.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to project sites.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed soil surveys and site assessments to evaluate soil properties, health, and contamination levels.
• Develop and implement soil remediation and land reclamation strategies for various impacted sites.
• Design and oversee soil sampling programs and laboratory analyses.
• Interpret soil data to understand nutrient cycling, water dynamics, and contaminant fate.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, proposals, and presentations for clients and regulatory agencies.
• Lead and mentor junior soil scientists and field technicians.
• Collaborate with engineers and geologists on integrated site remediation projects.
• Develop soil management plans to improve fertility, structure, and water retention.
• Stay updated on best practices in soil science, land reclamation, and environmental regulations.
• Conduct field supervision of reclamation activities to ensure adherence to plans and specifications.

Skills

Soil physics

Soil chemistry

Soil biology

GIS

Environmental regulations

Report writing

Project management

Communication

Team leadership

Field supervision

Education

Master's or PhD in Soil Science / Environmental Science

Tools

GIS

Environmental modeling software

Job description

About the Role Our client, a respected environmental consultancy based in Pretoria, Gauteng, is seeking an experienced Senior Soil Scientist with a specialization in land reclamation. This role is vital for projects focused on restoring degraded land to productive and ecologically sound states. You will lead field investigations, laboratory analyses, and the development of remediation strategies for sites impacted by mining, industrial activities, or intensive agriculture. This hybrid position allows for a balance between essential field operations and office-based data analysis and reporting. The Senior Soil Scientist will be responsible for assessing soil properties, understanding contaminant pathways, and designing effective soil health improvement programs. You will work with a multidisciplinary team of environmental scientists, geologists, and engineers to deliver comprehensive solutions. This role requires a deep understanding of soil physics, chemistry, biology, and their interactions with the environment. The successful candidate will be a skilled communicator, capable of presenting complex scientific findings to clients, regulatory bodies, and the public. We are looking for a proactive individual committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable land management. Your expertise will contribute significantly to ecological restoration efforts within Pretoria, Gauteng and beyond. The role involves extensive client interaction, proposal writing, and project management, ensuring successful outcomes for land rehabilitation projects. Strategic input on long-term land use planning and post-reclamation monitoring will also be key responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed soil surveys and site assessments to evaluate soil properties, health, and contamination levels.
• Develop and implement soil remediation and land reclamation strategies for various impacted sites.
• Design and oversee soil sampling programs and laboratory analyses.
• Interpret soil data to understand nutrient cycling, water dynamics, and contaminant fate.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, proposals, and presentations for clients and regulatory agencies.
• Lead and mentor junior soil scientists and field technicians.
• Collaborate with engineers and geologists on integrated site remediation projects.
• Develop soil management plans to improve fertility, structure, and water retention.
• Stay updated on best practices in soil science, land reclamation, and environmental regulations.
• Conduct field supervision of reclamation activities to ensure adherence to plans and specifications.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Soil Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in soil science, with a focus on land reclamation and remediation.
• Extensive knowledge of soil physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Proven experience in conducting field investigations and interpreting soil analytical data.
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations pertaining to land use and remediation.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Experience in project management and leading technical teams.
• Ability to work effectively in both field and office settings (hybrid model).
• Proficiency in GIS and other relevant environmental modeling software.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to project sites.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Company vehicle or travel allowance.
• Exposure to diverse and challenging land reclamation projects.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Clear career progression path.