Regional Land Capability Planner (SOG/ST 7) (Eastern Region)

Summary

Under the supervision of the Senior Director, Agricultural Land Management, the Regional Land Capability Planner undertakes land use surveys and Land Evaluation Assessments, contribute to recommendations which form a critical component of agricultural development plans and/or policies related to soil and land use at the local, national or regional level. The incumbent also exercises responsibility for the examination of mined-out lands, which have been reclaimed, to verify that the required reclamation standards have been met. The Regional Land Capability Planner also provides authoritative and technical advice to farmers and agricultural stakeholders on crop suitability; technical assistance is also provided after consultation with team members on soil fertility status, and to local authority personnel on land management and development issues. Salary Range: 💰 $5,198,035 - $6,990,779 per annum.

Responsibilities

• Management/Administrative:

  • • Participates in committees and Divisional meetings and seminars;
  • • Provides guidance on methodology and technique, etc.;
  • • Manages the flow of work in drawing offices, as well as maintenance of cartographic standards;
  • • Monitors the supplies and conducts inventory, as required;
  • • Participates in the development of the Work, Corporate and Operational Plans.

• Technical/Professional:

  • • Conducts site visits to collect soil, water and plant samples for analysis;
  • • Participates in soil surveys and rural land evaluation assessments to determine crop suitability and verification of land use interpretation;
  • • Assesses bauxite mined out lands which have been reclaimed to verify that the required reclamation standards have been met;
  • • Assesses sites for limestone quarries and/or sand mining to determine possible impact on lands suitable for agriculture;
  • • Verifies that the lines and polygons are created accurately and the attributes are developed correctly on a national level for soils, land use and land capability database;
  • • Determines the crops that are suitable for specific land parcels in terms of soils and land related constraints for crop production;
  • • Conducts special purpose studies on land that are contemplated for agricultural development;
  • • Liaises with laboratory staff on issues pertaining to the analyses of soil, plant and water samples;
  • • Liaises with Local Planning Authority on proposed subdivision applications;
  • • Conducts site visits to verify information from aerial photo interpretation;
  • • Provides assistance to students in the area of soils, land use/land cover, remote sensing technique for land evaluation assessment and other related areas;
  • • Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Required Skills

• Core:

  • • Good oral and written communication skills
  • • Good time management skills
  • • Good customer and quality focus skills
  • • Good teamwork and co-operation skills
  • • Good interpersonal skills
  • • Good analytical skills
  • • Ability to use own initiative

• Technical:

  • • Good cartographic (map reading) skills
  • • Good knowledge of GIS and related applications and remote sensing techniques
  • • Good knowledge of the principles and practices of agricultural resource protection and agricultural land use planning
  • • Good knowledge of land use development review techniques and development approval process, agricultural land resource management, development planning models and the social factors impacting on the use of agricultural lands
  • • Knowledge of relevant computer applications
  • • Good knowledge of soil sampling techniques and fertility management

Qualifications

• • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, specialized training in GIS and four (4) years related experience.
OR
• • Bachelor of Science in Rural Planning with specialization in Agriculture, Land Use Planning and Development and GIS, and three (3) years’ experience.

Additional Information and Instructions

• • Extensive traveling to rural areas accessible only with all-terrain vehicles;
• • Required to work outside normal working hours;
• • Exposure to insects and man-made hazards.

Applications accompanied by résumés should be submitted no later than Tuesday, 21st January, 2025 to: Senior Director Human Resource Management and Development Division Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Hope Gardens Kingston 6 📧 Email: jobopportunities@moa.gov.jm ℹ️ Subject: Regional Land Capability Planner (SOG/ST 7) (Eastern Region) 🔑 Please include the job title in the subject line of your email. Special Condition Associated with the Job:

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