Principal Survey Assistant – Field Survey Coordination
Rand Water
Available Locations:
Johannesburg, Gauteng
Job Description
Job Summary
Rand Water is seeking a highly organised and technically strong Principal Survey Assistant to lead and coordinate field survey activities that support the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of bulk water infrastructure. You will be the on-site anchor for multiple survey teams—planning daily deployments, ensuring data integrity and safety compliance, operating and maintaining survey instrumentation, and streamlining the flow of survey information into CAD/GIS environments. This role blends hands‑on fieldwork with coordination, quality control, stakeholder liaison and mentoring of junior survey staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Field Coordination & Planning
- Plan, schedule and dispatch survey crews, equipment and vehicles for concurrent projects.
- Prepare daily/weekly work packs (scope, control points, safety briefings, permits, access permissions).
- Survey Execution
- Perform and/or supervise topographical, engineering, construction and as-built surveys using GNSS, total stations, digital levels, scanners and (where applicable) UAV/LiDAR technologies.
- Establish, verify and maintain control networks and benchmarks aligned to approved coordinate systems and datums.
- Data Quality, Processing & Delivery
- Undertake QA/QC on raw and processed survey data; ensure traceability, metadata completeness and version control.
- Process data and produce deliverables in AutoCAD Civil 3D / Revit / MicroStation / ArcGIS/QGIS as required.
- Compile clear field notes, calculation sheets, adjustment reports and data dictionaries.
- Stakeholder & Site Interface
- Liaise with project managers, design engineers, construction supervisors, landowners and contractors to clarify scope, sequencing and access.
- Communicate survey constraints, risks and progress; escalate issues proactively.
- Compliance & Governance
- Enforce Rand Water safety standards, method statements, toolbox talks and legal access requirements.
- Ensure adherence to surveying best practices, applicable SANS standards and internal procedures.
- People & Asset Management
- Mentor junior survey assistants/technicians; conduct skills transfer and practical training.
- Manage calibration schedules, maintenance logs and custody of instruments, consumables and digital data.
- Reporting
- Produce daily progress logs, incident reports, instrument calibration certificates and monthly performance summaries.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- National Diploma or equivalent qualification in Surveying / Geomatics / Engineering Survey (Bachelor’s degree advantageous).
- Strong proficiency with GNSS/RTK, total stations, digital levels, and associated controllers/data loggers.
- Demonstrable competence in AutoCAD Civil 3D and GIS (ArcGIS or QGIS) for data processing and plotting.
- Solid grasp of geodetic principles, coordinate systems, datums, transformations and least‑squares adjustments.
- Excellent organisational skills to juggle multiple sites, crews and deadlines.
- Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel extensively to remote sites.
- High level of HSE awareness and ability to lead field safety practices.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and stakeholder engagement.
(Registration with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC) as a Survey Technician/Technologist, or eligibility for registration, will be an advantage.)
Experience
- 5–7 years of progressive field surveying experience in utilities, water infrastructure, pipelines, civil engineering or construction environments.
- Proven track record coordinating multi-crew field operations and delivering accurate, on-time survey outputs.
- Experience implementing QA/QC frameworks, file management standards and instrument maintenance programs.
- Exposure to UAV photogrammetry/LiDAR and laser scanning will be advantageous.
Working Hours
- Standard office hours (e.g., 08:00–16:30), with flexibility for early starts, late finishes, weekend or night work when required by site access, shutdowns or construction schedules.
- Field-based travel and occasional overnight stays are expected.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Deep knowledge of engineering and construction survey methods, control establishment and as-built verification.
- Ability to interpret design drawings, IFC drawings, servitudes, wayleaves and legal property boundaries.
- Competence in data management, version control and digital collaboration platforms.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making under field constraints (weather, access, safety).
- People leadership: mentoring juniors, delegating tasks, giving clear instructions and feedback.
- Ability to draft method statements, risk assessments and technical procedures.
Benefits
- Competitive salary package aligned with experience.
- Medical aid, retirement/pension contributions, and group risk benefits.
- Travel and subsistence allowances for field deployments, where applicable.
- Training and professional development support (e.g., registration, short courses, software upskilling).
- Opportunity to work on nation-critical water supply infrastructure with a respected public utility.
Why Join Rand Water
- Contribute directly to secure, sustainable water delivery for millions of people.
- Work with modern survey technology and diverse, complex infrastructure projects.
- Be part of a safety-first, learning-focused culture that values professionalism and public service.
- Clear pathways for career growth into senior technical or supervisory roles.
How to Apply
- Prepare your CV, cover letter outlining relevant field coordination experience, and copies of qualifications/registrations.
- Include a concise portfolio or summary of representative projects, highlighting your role, instruments used, data processing stack, and accuracy achieved.
- Submit your application through Rand Water’s official careers portal (or the advertised channel) with the subject line: “Application – Principal Survey Assistant (Field Survey Coordination)”.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for assessments and interviews.