Senior Surveyor (Level 7)

Summary

Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Forest Resource Information Management (FRIM), the Senior Surveyor is responsible for conducting land surveying activities related to the estate of the Forestry Department. The role involves utilizing standard survey techniques and equipment to accurately measure and map forest estates and boundaries. 💰Basic Salary: $4,266,270 JMD per annum.

Responsibilities

• Management/Administrative:

  • • Provides leadership and direction to the surveying team, ensuring work is executed according to established standards, timelines, and organizational priorities.
  • • Reviews and verifies the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of survey data and deliverables before submission or archival.
  • • Maintains detailed survey records, field notes, sketches, and digital files to document all work conducted, ensuring they are accessible for legal or operational reference.
  • • Prepares and submits comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, capturing progress against work plans, challenges encountered, and recommendations for improvement.
  • • Represents the Agency at stakeholder meetings, technical workshops, inter-agency forums, and professional conferences, as assigned by the Director or CEO.
  • • Performs other related duties and special assignments as directed to support the goals of the Division and Agency.

• Technical/Professional:

  • • Plans, coordinates, and executes a range of ground surveys to determine geodetic control points, baseline references, elevations, and estate boundary data critical to forest estate and land management.
  • • Undertakes boundary verification and demarcation activities in collaboration with Commissioned Land Surveyors, ensuring alignment with legal cadastral records and GPS/GNSS data.
  • • Re-establishes or reopens estate boundaries using precise survey methodologies and under the supervision of a Commissioned Land Surveyor where legally required.
  • • Conducts comprehensive research of land titles, registered survey plans, legal instruments, and historical records to clarify and validate disputed or ambiguous boundary data.
  • • Prepares detailed cost estimates and technical justifications for survey operations, including labor, equipment, transport, and related field expenses.
  • • Recommends the procurement, upgrading, or calibration of survey instruments and software based on technological advancements and operational needs.
  • • Gathers and evaluates preliminary data sources—such as satellite imagery, topographic maps, and GIS records—to inform survey design and execution strategies.
  • • Oversees and reviews the creation of topographic, cadastral, and infrastructure maps, ensuring cartographic accuracy and GIS compatibility.
  • • Drafts legal descriptions and narrative boundary reports for inclusion in gazettal documents, land transactions, or regulatory submissions.
  • • Ensures all surveying equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and adjusted, coordinating with external service providers as necessary to minimize downtime.
  • • Conducts site assessments and terrain evaluations, documenting constraints and opportunities relevant to boundary management or land-use planning.
  • • Liaises regularly with the National Land Agency (NLA) and other government entities to collect, verify, and exchange spatial data, maps, and official survey plans.
  • • Analyzes technical specifications and survey objectives to determine the most appropriate methodologies, instruments, and personnel requirements for execution.
  • • Reviews and provides technical feedback on development applications, land-use plans, and environmental reports submitted to the Agency, with specific focus on boundary alignment, land encroachment, and estate compliance.
  • • Develops knowledge base materials for the Agency.
  • • Generates and participates in the Agency’s social media campaign.
  • • Any other related duties that are assigned periodically.

Required Skills

• • Knowledge of Land Surveying.
• • Knowledge and experience using ESRI ArcGIS software for planning purposes.
• • Competent in the application and use of survey techniques and instrumentation, including Total Station, GPS, and Levels.
• • Sound analytical and strategic thinking.
• • Sound judgment and excellent leadership ability.
• • Strong interpersonal skills.
• • Effective oral and written communication skills.
• • Strong customer orientation skills.
• • Ability to build partnerships to achieve operational goals.
• • Proficiency in computer-aided drawing applications.
• • Ability to make rational decisions based on a sound understanding of facts.
• • Good knowledge of information technology for supporting management and operations.
• • Ability to manage limited resources to achieve output targets.
• • Sound personal and professional integrity.

Qualifications

• • Bachelor’s degree in Land Surveying, Engineering Technology or equivalent
• • Minimum of three (3) years’ experience, with one being in a supervisory role.
OR
• • Diploma in Land Surveying or equivalent studies
• • Five (5) years’ related experience with 2 years in a supervisory role.
OR
• • Any other related combination of qualifications and experience
PLUS
• • Forestry-related experience would be a definite asset.
• • Working knowledge of GIS, and Drone Technology
• • Certification in Supervisory Management

Additional Information and Instructions

• Working Conditions:

  • • Primarily field-based – hence, prevailing environmental and physical conditions must be constantly mitigated.
  • • All island coverage, hence, may have to overnight at alternate bases.
  • • May be required to work on holidays and or weekends.

Applications along with résumés should be submitted no later than Friday, May 16, 2025 to: Senior Director, Human Resource Management & Development Forestry Department 173 Constant Spring Road Kingston 8 ✉️ Email: hrmd.fd@gmail.com 📜 N.B. Please include the job title in the subject line of your email. ⚠️ Please note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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