Geomatics Officer

The Geomatics Officer is a permanent post and an ideal position for someone who lives and breathes digital data – its capture, processing, and dissemination.

You will play a central role in the Survey and Investigation Team, working closely with all our specialist investigators (currently five in number), providing geomatic expertise and support in their work areas. You will lead on some elements and assist on others in the survey, processing and archiving of a diverse range of archaeological sites and historic buildings across the length and breadth of Wales from all periods and across a variety of environments.

Our specialist investigators cover archaeology, industrial archaeology, historic buildings and architecture, maritime archaeology, and aerial survey. The team works with a range of agencies, universities, and other bodies to survey, research and interpret the historic environment across Wales. Current projects include Twentieth Century Architecture, Faith Buildings, the coastal and inter-tidal zone, and World Heritage Slate.

Our survey work is undertaken digitally using a range of techniques and equipment, including photographic surveys on the ground and in the air (light plane and UAV) for both standard photography and photogrammetry, earthwork survey with GNSS and building survey with laser scanning. We also buy in geophysical and LiDAR survey work, and occasionally partner with other organisations on offshore marine survey projects.

We have a wide range of dissemination outputs from our survey work generated in-house and by commission, including standard archive plans and sections, 3D models, reconstructive animation, virtual tours, and Mixed Reality. Some of our latest work can be viewed here https://sketchfab.com/CBHC_RCAHMW/collections and here https://www.youtube.com/@rcahmw/playlists

We also provide guidance and advice on survey methodology to other organisations in the Welsh Historic Environment sector, and we are committed as an organisation to the active investigation and development of innovative digital technologies for heritage.

1. Carry out pre-survey assessment to determine the appropriate level and methodology of survey as well as produce risk assessments and determine safe working strategies in conjunction with the Commission’s Health and Safety Officer.
2. Carry out digital survey, using a variety of methods, for a range of archaeological and built heritage sites across Wales.
3. Process survey data to an agreed and consistent standard and prepare data for archiving to recognised standards in the National Monuments Record of Wales.
4. Produce 2D and 3D outputs from digital survey using CAD, GIS or other appropriate geospatial and graphic software.
5. Advise on and assist with writing specifications for the commissioning of digital survey and dissemination products.
6. Ensure appropriate maintenance, servicing and updating of survey equipment and software in conjunction with the Commission’s IT team.
7. Ensure the Commission is kept up to date with new developments in digital technologies across data collection, processing, and outputs for heritage.
8. Develop skills in digital survey, data processing and digital outputs within the organisation.
9. Contribute to the promotion of the Commission’s work through social media, blogs and talks and through networking with peers and membership of appropriate professional forums.
10. Liaise with colleagues across the Commission and the wider heritage sector to promote digital survey and data standards.
11. Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post as may be reasonably requested or agreed by the line manager.

Essential criteria

1. Educated to at least degree level in an appropriate discipline and/or relevant experience at an appropriate level for the role.

2. Experience of survey using a range of techniques and

3. Excellent working knowledge of relevant ICT applications for processing and preparing survey data including CAD, GIS, and Structure from Motion-Multi View Stereo software.equipment including one or more of the following: Terrestrial Laser Scanning, UAV survey, photogrammetry, GNSS and Total Station.  

4. Experience in the production of 2D and 3D outputs from field survey data, including plans, elevations, orthoimages, elevation models and 3D models.

5. Awareness of the standards around data management and archiving for digital survey data.

6. Awareness of the rapidly developing technologies for survey, processing, and outputs of digital heritage data.

7. Ability to work with the minimum of supervision to prioritise, plan and deliver complex tasks and to work effectively as part of a team.

8. Good written and verbal communication skills.

9. Be willing to commit to taking Welsh lessons with a view to achieving the required level for this post (level 3 on the Commission’s Welsh Skills Assessment Framework*).  Training will be provided and funded, and time off given.

10. A good level of fitness and mobility to access remote rural locations whilst carrying equipment.

11. Travel across Wales will be required, together with some lone working.  Applicants need to hold a current full UK driving licence and be willing to drive or use public transport, where possible, for work purposes.  Applicants under the age of 25 must have access to their own car insured for business use or have two years’ driving experience for hire car purposes.

Desirable criteria

1. A professional qualification in a relevant field

2. Experience of surveying the Historic Environment using a range of techniques and equipment.

3. Working knowledge of equipment and software relating to one or more of the following brands: Leica, FARO, DJI, Rhinoceros 3D, Autodesk, Esri ArcGIS, Agisoft, RealityCapture, Adobe.

4. Experience of working with specialist contractors on the production of interpretive outputs such as reconstructive animation and Mixed Reality products.

5. Experience of working with archivists and information managers to inform the archiving of digital survey data.

6. Experience of keeping up to date with developing technologies for survey, processing and outputs of digital heritage data.

7. Knowledge of the archaeological and built heritage environment and the historic environment sector of Wales

8. Experience of delivering public talks.

9. Experience in the use of social media in a professional context.

10. Have Welsh language skills to at least level 3 on the Commission’s Welsh Skills Assessment Framework*

• 31 days annual leave (plus 10 days public and privilege holidays)
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : Louise Barker – Senior Investigator (Archaeology) or Susan Fielding – Senior Investigator (Historic Buildings)
• Email : louise.barker@rcahmw.gov.uk
• Telephone : 01970 621212

Recruitment team

• Email : ffion.griffiths@rcahmw.gov.uk