Associate Surveyor chez Butte County, CA

About the Department

The Butte County Public Works Department is looking to fill a vacancy for their Associate Surveyor Classification.

Note: A training and experience evaluation may be utilized to determine an applicant's ranking among qualified candidates. Based upon information provided in this application including responses to supplemental questions, an applicant's education, training and experience (full-time equivalent) may be evaluated. Applicants should provide thoughtful and thorough responses to supplemental questions as they play an important role in this recruitment process.  All qualifying work experience that is described or included in responses to supplemental questions MUST also be included and detailed in the "Work Experience" section of this application. "See Resume" is not an acceptable response for any supplemental question.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEFINITION

Under direction, performs professional work in the review, approval, and processing of maps and records for compliance with applicable codes and regulations; prepares legal descriptions of property; performs field survey; provides technical and administrative support to departmental operations; supervises a work unit of professional and technical staff; and performs related duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the County Surveyor. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.  

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the journey-level classification in the Surveyor series. Positions at this level perform the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Surveyor in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series and/or providing technical and functional direction over lower-level staff.

Position Duties

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics.  The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Performs calculations and determinations of boundary lines and right-of-way boundaries, relative to compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and accepted professional survey practices.
• Researches maps, deeds, files, and plans to obtain information; analyzes survey data and correlates with official records; prepares legal descriptions for real property and right-of-way, certificates of compliance, and easements for review and approval.
• Serves as the project manager for the surveying portion of construction projects; works with professional survey staff and project engineers to assess surveying needs, requirements, and deadlines.
• Monitors progress of field survey crews and provides professional survey advice regarding survey problems and procedures; performs the reduction and analysis of field data; and when necessary act as survey party chief.
• Reviews and maintains survey records, descriptions, maps, and other documents including the County Surveyors Library; certifies that maps are technically correct; reviews major and minor subdivisions and records of surveys and lot line adjustment legal descriptions for conformance to state laws, county ordinances, and conditions of approval.
• Responds to inquiries and requests from professionals, the public, and other agencies related to survey issues and county requirements and practices.
• Provides technical information and instruction regarding applicable procedures and methods; interprets and explains rules, regulations, and procedures; answers questions and resolves concerns.
• Creates and maintains files and indexes of county right-of-way maps, deeds, and other legal documents as a matter of public record in accordance with state law; responds to requests from engineers, land surveyors, and the general public.
• Coordinates and/or directs the work of other staff as assigned.
• Provides information and interpretations related to survey and boundary determinations; may serve as an expert witness regarding boundary disputes or land surveying practices.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of land surveying, right-of-way, and engineering; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to County needs.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
• Principles, practices, and equipment of land surveying related to property and construction staking, and topographic, boundary surveying, and photogrammetric surveying.  
• Engineering concepts, procedures, and techniques, including public works construction methods.
• Principles and practices of mathematics and plane trigonometry, and their applications to land surveying and right-of-way engineering.
• Safety practices pertaining to field survey work.  
• Methods and techniques of plotting and mapping survey data.
• Techniques for survey instrument use, adjustment, and preventive maintenance.  
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Examine, read, and interpret maps, plans, and other documents for conformance to legal requirements.
• Prepare legal descriptions of property in accordance with applicable laws and codes.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and concise field notes, records, reports and sketches.
• Analyze field surveying problems, evaluate alternatives, and reach conclusions.
• Identify problems, research, and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solution.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow-up on assignments.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training, experience and educational degrees that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Substitutions will be made on a year for year basis. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in surveying, civil engineering, or a closely related field. 

Three (3) years of experience in land surveying or construction. 

Certifications and Licenses:

• A position assigned to this class may require possession of a valid California Driver's License.
• Possession of a California Land Surveyor registration.

Other Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

 When assigned to an office environment: 

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 15 pounds.
• Vision and color vision to read printed materials, a computer screen, flagging equipment, and discern paint colors. 
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. 
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

When assigned to field inspection: 

• Mobility to work in changing site conditions; to sit, stand and walk on level, uneven or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites.
• Strength and stamina to perform light to medium physical work; lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 50 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. 
• Fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. 
• Also includes field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, biologic and infectious agents, dust, fumes, and allergens, vermin, insects, and parasites, hazardous/moving equipment, heights, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

 EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer, fax machine, standard office equipment, County vehicle, power tools, hand tools, robotic total stations, GPS equipment, data controllers, and survey equipment. 

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.