Senior Scientist – Hydrogeology at Council for Geoscience (CGS)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 Research and Development

• Conduct independent advanced research focused on South Africa’s groundwater resources and provide expert advice on water-related issues.
• Undertake advanced geoscience research and development to improve understanding of the hydrogeological regime.
• Conduct geological surveys and mapping, analysing geological data to understand subsurface geology that controls groundwater flow paths, storage, and quantity.
• Contribute to predicting the movement of contaminants in groundwater, helping to identify potential sources of pollution and to design remediation strategies.
• Participate in compiling and overseeing the development of reports, maps, and similar publications on the Council for Geoscience’s (CGS) hydrological mapping projects and broader geoscience programme.
• Participate in geoscience data mining, collection, interpretation, and modelling toward developing the knowledge and strength of South Africa’s developmental imperatives.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and supervision to junior staff towards their professional development, e.g. guiding their work, monitoring progress, checking maps and editing reports on various geoscience projects.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new methodologies.
• Resolve complex problems in a variety of geoscientific fields with minimal guidance or supervision.
• Initiate, lead, or participate in statutory and commercial projects.

Project Implementation/ Project Management

• Evaluate the results, edit reports for publication compiled by junior scientists, and prepare your own work for publication by the CGS.
• Interrogate the analytical results (including eliminating possibilities of batch effects) from the laboratory of the submitted samples. Use knowledge to ascertain technical soundness of the data and identify & explain results that do not correspond to known scientific models.
• Geoscience data processing, interpretation and packing toward defining research areas/requirements and the establishment of solutions toward mandated research objectives.
• Initiate, develop and give geoscience input to project proposals and/or tenders for both statutory and commercial work.
• Implement risk mitigation measures as directed by the Unit manager/project manager.
• Give geoscientific input to the negotiation of existing contract proposals and manage the execution of work during project implementation.
• Lead and/or make and provide assistance during negotiations for contract timeframes extension within the framework of the approved contract/scope of work.
• Lead tasks or projects and monitor project execution and budget expenditure in line with deliverables and objectives.
• Make technical contributions to the compilation of commercial and statutory project tender documents or contracts.
• Ensure that the project is executed in line with its objectives.

 Stakeholder Relations and Reporting

• Recommend resources for tasks and/or projects.
• Ensure that the project is executed within budget and on time.
• Present research results at major conferences locally and/or internationally.
• Publish research findings in CGS publications and/ or recognised journals.
• Give scientific advice to the public and private sector organizations in line with organizational policies.
• Proficiently presents research findings, both in written, electronic and verbal forms.
• Liaise directly with consultants, clients, officials and the public.
• Develop and implement operating manuals for work procedures in line with ISO standards.
• Evaluate work and reports from junior staff.
• Produce products in line with industry norms, standards and guidelines.

 Learning and Development

• Mentor, coaches, and facilitates skills transfer to junior staff.
• Present training workshops /courses to junior staff.
• Evaluate the results, edit reports for publication by junior scientists, and prepare your own work for publication by the CGS.
• Supervise and provide guidance in the execution of projects by junior staff.
• Undertake varied geoscientific tasks as required and stipulated within the Council for Geoscience mandate.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to conduct complex geo-scientific investigations and research independently.
• Ability to interpret, evaluate and assess research data.
• Ability to evaluate and assess research work and reports of other scientists.
• Ability to compile and present geo-scientific research investigations at national and internal forums.
• Ability to develop and present geo-scientific project proposals.
• Ability to present and develop geo-scientific contractual proposals.
• Ability to lead and manage geo-scientific projects.
• Ability to lead and manage project team(s).
• Ability to mentor and coach other scientists.
• Knowledge of ISO certification processes and standards.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Grade 12; and
• BSc Hons in Geology/Hydrogeology or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 6 years relevant experience, or
• MSc/ PhD in Geology/Hydrogeology or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 5 years relevant experience, or
• PhD in Geology/Hydrogeology or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 3 years relevant experience.
• Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) registration with SACNASP.
• Valid driver’s licence.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in the planning and execution of geoscience research projects with inputs from senior staff.
• Experience in providing reports on technical matters relating to area of expertise and can make basic technical recommendations.
• Experience of preparing research articles for scientific journals and/or presentations at national/international conferences, with moderate supervision.
• Experience of preparing technical reports for clients, with guidance from senior staff.
• Experience of preparing or contributing to the project proposal.