Wetlands and Soils Specialist

We are looking for a dynamic Wetland and Soil Specialist to join our team. The perfect candidate will be required to provide advice and assistance in managing and compiling reports relating to wetland and soil assessments.

Responsibilities:

1. Independently plan and conduct scientifically defendable national and international field surveys for data collection in support of specialist studies.
2. Apply WET-Services Series and employ habitat survey techniques such as GPS, aerial photography, sonar images, and maps.
3. Identify and delineate soils using the South African Soil Classification System of 2018 (Soil Classification Working Group, 2018).
4. Carry out field work under strenuous conditions.
5. Identify and delineate wetlands in accordance with the South African Practical Field Procedure for Identification and Delineation of Wetlands and Riparian Areas (DWAF, 2005).
6. Conduct and manage wetland- and soil- impact assessments as part of a project.
7. Perform sensitivity analysis and make recommendations.
8. Compile and review scientific reports for submission to clients and/or legal authorities.
9. Conduct wetland- and soil type- delineations.
10. Complete Land Use, Land Capability and Agricultural assessments.

Qualifications:

• BSc. degree (Honours/MSc preferred) in Environmental Sciences/Soil Science.
• Accredited wetland courses would be advantageous, such as the WET-Health method described by Macfarlane et al., (2020).
• Hydropedology background and vegetation identification is preferred.

Experience:

• Registered as a Professional Scientist (preferred).
• The candidate must have at least three or more years of experience in wetlands studies, hydropedology, soil and wetland delineations and assessments.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Specialist knowledge of international wetland and soil classification would be advantageous.
• Identifying and delineating wetlands in accordance with the ‘United States’ Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (USEPA, 2010) will be advantageous.
• Identifying and delineating soils using the FAO (2014) International Soil Classification system will be advantageous.
• Knowledge of general Environmental Management principles.
• Detailed understanding and application of research methodologies.
• Knowledge of Project Management (Financial Management).
• Detailed understanding and application of national and international environmental legislation and GIIP.
• Knowledge of vegetation, AIP management and rehabilitation would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of Hydropedology would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of Wetland Offsetting.
• Knowledge of Agricultural Compliance Statements, Land Use and Land Capability Assessments.