Site Surveyor

Job Summary

TORS GROUP is looking for an experienced Site Surveyor to manage setting-out, as-built verification, and earthworks measurement on solar photovoltaic (PV) construction projects in South Africa. The ideal candidate must be able to convert approved design files into accurate physical layout on site, maintain project survey control, and produce survey records that stand up to client, engineer, and QA/QC review.

The candidate will work closely with the construction manager, project engineers, QA/QC, and civil and electrical subcontractors to ensure that piles, roads, trenches, substations, and fence lines are constructed within the specified positional tolerances, and that all survey data is captured, processed, and reported correctly and on time.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, and re-survey the project survey control network, including control points, benchmarks, datum, and site grid.
• Set out pile positions, table rows, string alignment, access roads, cable trenches, inverter and MV station foundations, fence lines, laydown areas, and site boundaries from approved design files.
• Verify installed pile positions and record deviations against design coordinates and the project tolerance (typically ±20–50 mm on pile layout).
• Carry out topographic surveys, existing-conditions surveys, cut and fill volume calculations, and earthworks progress measurement.
• Prepare and maintain all survey documentation, including:
• Setting-out sheets and setting-out registers
• As-built surveys and as-built drawings
• Pile deviation registers and conformance reports
• Volume calculations and earthworks reconciliation records
• Survey certificates and sign-off sheets for the engineer and client
• Daily survey progress records and equipment registers
• Process and reduce survey data using AutoCAD with Civil 3D or 12D Model, and Trimble Business Center, Magnet, or equivalent survey software.
• Read and interpret civil, structural, and electrical drawings, and correctly handle coordinate systems, datums, projections, and grid-to-ground transformations.
• Identify dimensional discrepancies and clashes between design and site conditions, and report them to engineering before they become rework.
• Operate and maintain survey equipment, including total stations, GNSS RTK receivers, and digital levels; carry out calibration checks and keep an equipment register.
• Measure stockpile and earthworks volumes using conventional survey methods — cross-sections, grid levels, and GNSS point capture.
• Support quantity measurement and joint measurement for subcontractor progress claims.
• Supervise and guide survey assistants and chainmen, and verify their work.
• Ensure all survey activities comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, the Construction Regulations 2014, the project HSE plan, permit-to-work systems, and working-at-heights requirements.
• Attend site inductions, toolbox talks, and coordination meetings, and provide survey input to method statements and risk assessments.
• Stop work where survey accuracy or site safety is compromised, and escalate to the construction manager.

Minimum Requirements

• South African citizen or permanent resident with a valid South African ID, and legally entitled to work in South Africa.
• National Diploma, BTech, BSc, or equivalent qualification in Surveying, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years' site or engineering survey experience on construction, civil, infrastructure, electrical, or renewable energy projects.
• Minimum 2 years' experience on solar PV, renewable energy, electrical construction, or EPC projects is strongly preferred.
• Registration with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC) — e.g. Survey Technician, Geomatics Technician, or Professional Surveyor — or registration with the South African Geomatics Institute (SAGI) as an Engineering Surveyor will be advantageous.
• Proven proficiency with total stations and GNSS RTK equipment (Leica, Trimble, Sokkia, CHCNAV or equivalent).
• Proven proficiency with AutoCAD and Civil 3D or 12D Model, and with survey processing software such as Trimble Business Center or Magnet.
• Working knowledge of South African coordinate systems and datums, including Hartebeesthoek94, Lo and WG projections, and UTM zones, and the ability to transform between grid and ground coordinates correctly.
• Strong experience preparing and controlling survey records, setting-out registers, and as-built documentation.
• Ability to conduct independent site verification and to defend survey results in front of the engineer or client.
• Valid South African driver's licence.
• Valid medical fitness certificate for construction sites, and willingness to work at heights where required.
• Willingness to travel to project sites across South Africa and to stay on site on rotation.
• Good communication skills in English.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience on utility-scale, ground-mounted, rooftop, or carport solar PV construction sites.
• Direct experience with pile layout, pile deviation tracking, and string alignment on solar projects.
• Experience using network RTK correction services such as TRIGNET or NetPos.
• Experience with quantity measurement and joint measurement for subcontractor payment.
• Experience with earthworks volume reconciliation and cut and fill balance reporting.
• Experience with ISO 9001 quality documentation and project handover survey packs.
• Experience on REIPPPP, Eskom-connected, or private IPP projects.
• Ability to prepare survey method statements and project-specific survey execution plans.
• Experience supervising survey teams on remote sites.

Skills & Competencies

• Precision and tolerance discipline — understands that a 30 mm error at setting-out becomes rework at commissioning.
• Strong documentation and record-keeping habits.
• Practical knowledge of solar PV construction sequence and the survey interventions required at each stage.
• Ability to work in heat, dust, and remote site conditions, and under schedule pressure.
• Strong coordination skills with civil, electrical, and QA/QC teams.
• Ability to train and supervise survey assistants.
• Attention to detail, strong risk awareness, and a sense of responsibility and integrity.
• Ability to solve dimensional and datum problems independently on site, without waiting for head office.

Employment Conditions

• Appointment will be subject to verification of identity, qualifications, SAGC or SAGI registration where applicable, references, and relevant work experience.
• The company may conduct background checks in line with applicable South African laws, including POPIA, and with the candidate's consent.
• The successful candidate will be required to travel to project sites across South Africa, including the Northern Cape, North West, Free State, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape, and to stay on site on rotation.
• A competitive package will be offered based on qualifications and experience.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Pay: From R20 000,00 per month

Work Location: In person

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