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Samwel Ochieng — profile photo

About

Samwel Ochieng

Geoinformation Science & Earth Observation Specialist

I am a detail-oriented GIS professional with hands-on experience in geospatial data analysis, remote sensing and spatial database management across agricultural, environmental and government sectors.

My work spans satellite image processing, GPS field data collection and a multi-platform geospatial toolset — ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, AutoCAD Civil 3D and Google Earth Engine — with a focus on compliance-driven mapping, infrastructure digitisation and spatial modelling.

I have contributed to large-scale environmental monitoring and disaster risk reduction initiatives, improving operational planning and resource allocation through data-driven insights, and I am committed to accuracy, sustainability and adaptive problem solving in both field and institutional settings.

Career

Experience

  1. Assistant Surveyor — Masaita Forest Station

    Jul 2025 – Present

    Kenya Forest Service (KFS) · Kericho, Kenya

    • Planned and supported field mapping operations, streamlining survey workflows and improving data collection efficiency by 30%.
    • Organised and managed aerial survey records and geospatial datasets, increasing data retrieval speed and accuracy by 40%.
    • Maintained and calibrated aerial survey and GIS equipment, reducing spatial data errors and improving output accuracy by 25%.
    • Developed GIS training materials and guided trainees on spatial data handling, improving technical competency levels by 30%.

  2. Assistant Surveyor (Field Work)

    Oct 2024 – Jun 2025

    Redfin Engineering Ltd · Nairobi, Kenya

    • Guided water pipeline excavation by setting accurate levels with a digital level, boosting installation precision by 25%.
    • Interpreted and implemented pipeline layout plans, ensuring clear coordination between engineering and site teams.
    • Participated in the preparation and implementation of the Bill of Quantities (BOQ), enabling accurate material estimation and cost control.
    • Spearheaded site reporting and archiving, ensuring clear documentation of completed works in line with project scope, enhancing tracking, accountability and handover accuracy.

  3. GIS Intern (Attachment)

    May 2023 – Aug 2023

    Ruaraka Survey Office · Nairobi, Kenya

    • Registered, archived and retrieved survey records, enhancing documentation efficiency by 20%.
    • Supported policy-aligned spatial reporting and documentation per institutional standards.
    • Drafted and edited spatial data in AutoCAD, increasing map efficiency by 35%.
    • Transformed 100+ legacy records from Cassini to UTM, enhancing spatial accuracy.
    • Digitised and georeferenced maps using ArcGIS and QGIS, converting 40% of paper records.
    • Charted and amended Registry Index Maps (RIMs) and cadastral data to meet national standards.

Capabilities

Skills & toolset

Spatial Analysis & GIS

  • Spatial Data Analysis
  • Infrastructure & Utility Network Mapping
  • Spatial Database Management
  • Geospatial Digitisation
  • Map Production
  • Spatial Querying
  • Georeferencing Techniques
  • GIS Data Integration
  • Spatial Automation
  • Suitability Analysis
  • Data Quality Control

Field & Survey

  • Field Data Collection (GPS)
  • GNSS Surveying
  • Mobile GIS Data Capture
  • Setting-Out & Level Control
  • Survey123 / Field Maps

Software & Tools

  • ArcGIS Pro
  • QGIS
  • AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Google Earth Engine (GEE)
  • ENVI
  • ERDAS Imagine
  • PostgreSQL / PostGIS
  • Python
  • Agisoft Metashape (Photogrammetry)
  • GNSS Data Processing Software

Data & Communication

  • Excel (Advanced Data Analysis & Reporting)
  • Power BI (Dashboards & Data Visualisation)
  • Adobe Illustrator (Infographics & Reporting)
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint)

Recognition

Certifications & achievements

Certification

Certified Geospatial Engineer

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology

Certification

Recognised Data Analyst — Short Course

Digital World Tech Academy

Leadership

Head of Election Committee — Geospatial Developers' Club (G-Dev)

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology · Apr 2022 – May 2024

Achievement

Supervised 3.4 km water pipeline setting-out (Bomas of Kenya → Royal Park)

Redfin Engineering Ltd

Achievement

Flood risk mapping for 2,500+ hectares of Ahero rice fields

Google Earth Engine project

Achievement

Led field data collection & mapping operations at Masaita Forest Station

Kenya Forest Service