About the Role
Geospatial Field Technician, Spekboom Restoration Project
Technical and Carbon Department, Eastern Cape (Gqeberha), South Africa
Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
Reports to: Senior Geospatial Field Technician
Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure that will revitalise landscapes, combat climate change, and promote sustainable agriculture?
Join NatCarbon Africa: a mission-driven, proudly African organisation dedicated to high-quality implementation of large-scale carbon, climate, and biodiversity projects. We embrace the power of innovative technology to enhance project execution. Community engagement lies at the heart of our projects, driven by a genuine commitment to meaningful and inclusive participation and co-benefits, such as biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic upliftment.
NatCarbon Africa seeks a Geospatial Field Technician in the Technical and Carbon Department for the large-scale Spekboom Restoration Project in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.
With our partner, Imperative Global, our aim is to restore up to 100,000 hectares of degraded subtropical thicket biome. The Project entails planting Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) on privately owned land to improve ecosystem functioning and agricultural productivity over time, promote biodiversity, improve soil filtration, enhance water storage capabilities, and to reduce soil erosion. The Project is estimated to permanently store large quantities of Carbon Dioxide over the Project life, thus positively contributing towards climate change mitigation.
Position Summary
The Geospatial Field Technician reports to the Senior Geospatial Field Technician and is responsible for the collection, processing, and management of high-resolution aerial imagery and associated spatial datasets in support of NatCarbon's large-scale restoration initiatives. The role combines field-based UAV operations with data processing, analysis, and reporting, contributing to accurate and efficient monitoring across the project landscape. Strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills are required, with a focus on ensuring the quality and reliability of spatial data used for ecological monitoring, restoration assessment, and carbon accounting.
Roles and Responsibilities
Plan and execute high-precision UAV flights to capture aerial imagery and spatial data across restoration sites.
Ensure safe and compliant operation of UAV systems in line with regulatory and company standards.
Conduct pre- and post-flight equipment checks and maintain detailed flight logs.
Process raw imagery and sensor data to generate orthomosaics, digital surface models (DSMs), and other spatial products.
Manage and maintain geospatial databases and file systems to ensure data integrity and accessibility.
Develop and implement geospatial tools, workflows, and templates to improve monitoring and reporting efficiency.
Integrate aerial data with ground-based monitoring datasets to support vegetation, biomass, and carbon assessments.
Conduct GIS analyses and produce spatial visualisations and maps for technical reporting.
Collaborate with the Ecology, Conservation, and GIS and Data teams to align aerial data collection with broader project objectives.
Contribute to research and innovation in geospatial monitoring methodologies that advance ecological restoration and carbon assessment practices.
General:
Embrace a culture of continuous learning by adapting to evolving job responsibilities, driven by NatCarbon Africa’s commitment to innovation, personal growth, and shifting operational priorities.
Some travel within the Eastern and Western Cape may be required, including to remote locations, with occasional weekend or holiday work to accommodate schedules.
Work hours may be irregular.
This outline of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. The employer reserves the right to assign additional duties or responsibilities at any time, provided they are reasonably aligned with the scope of the role or necessitated by operational requirements. The functions and responsibilities detailed within this job description may be subject to modification at the employer’s discretion, based on evolving operational requirements, while remaining consistent with the parameters of the employee’s position.
Skills:
Proficiency in UAV operation and aerial data acquisition.
Strong analytical and spatial data processing skills, including image mosaicking and 3D reconstruction.
Excellent computer literacy, including GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS or similar), photogrammetry, and data management software.
Strong attention to detail and data quality assurance.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Good written and verbal communication skills in English and Afrikaans (isiXhosa advantageous).
Physically fit and willing to work in highly variable field conditions.
Demonstrates initiative, technical curiosity, and commitment to continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
A degree or relevant tertiary qualification in Geomatics, Remote Sensing, GIS, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Engineering, Land Surveying, or a related field.
Knowledge and Experience
1-2 years' work experience in geospatial data collection or UAV operations.
Experience in remote sensing, image analysis, and GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, Agisoft Metashape).
Familiarity with GPS surveying, UAV flight planning, and environmental data monitoring.
Experience processing UAV imagery using photogrammetry software (e.g., Agisoft Metashape, DJI Terra).
Valid Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC), fixed-wing and multi-rotor, required; BVLOS rating advantageous (training support may be provided).
Valid South African driver's licence (off-road driving experience advantageous).
Working Conditions
Frequent travel within the Eastern and Western Cape anticipated, including to remote locations.
Travel may on occasion cross weekends and holidays to accommodate schedules.
Work hours may be irregular
You will join a great team! We are:
From diverse locations and backgrounds, but all experts in our respective fields. We bring together a wide range of cross-sector experiences, ideas, and skills.
Relentless in our pursuit of excellence and innovation, always pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo. But it is not all work for us – we also believe in celebrating our successes, recognising individual contributions, and taking time to support each other’s growth and development.
At our core, explorers, constantly learning, evolving, and seeking new ways to deliver impactful solutions. We are not afraid to dream big, take risks, and step out of our comfort zones because we know that together, we can achieve great things.
Compensation To help us attract and retain top talent, NatCarbon Africa pays employees competitively to the market, depending on experience. Salary is one component of NatCarbon Africa’s total compensation package which also includes health care and life insurance, contributions to each employee’s retirement plan, paid time off and funds to support professional development. We will recognise employees who go beyond expected performance with salary increases and/or promotions.
In return, we expect each employee to, at a minimum:
Meet expectations in terms of work effort and performance.
Take the initiative to build the skills and knowledge needed to do their job effectively; and
Embody the values of NatCarbon Africa.
How to Apply To apply, please send us the following:
Cover letter (not to exceed one page).
Resume/CV (not to exceed three pages).
Please add app.bamboohr.com to your contact list to ensure you receive emails from us
NatCarbon Africa provides equal opportunity for all job applicants and employees and is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination.
Only applications received online via the NatCarbon website or LinkedIn Page will be considered