Job Descriptions

DEFINITION

Under direction of the City Engineer, incumbents are responsible to perform complex survey calculations, perform field surveying work, and review development maps and plans for compliance with State and Municipal codes and specifications relative to property boundaries, legal descriptions and appropriate right of ways and public utility designations and construction standards.

This position is designated as un-represented for Labor Relations purposes and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Incumbents may receive functional or technical supervision from the City Engineer. They may also exercise functional and technical supervision over subordinate para-professional personnel engaged in assisting them in development, land surveying, and construction inspection activities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The City Surveyor performs complex technical land surveying related duties with a greater level of independence than the Assistant Land Surveyor class due to the possession of greater levels of professional licensing and experience. This classification is not part of the flexible staffing program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Review, comment, sign and stamp subdivision maps, parcel maps, lot line adjustments, abandonment’s and legal descriptions as to their technical correctness.
• Prepare agreements, exhibits and legal descriptions for the acquisition of Rights-of-way, Easements and other properties.
• Performs field survey work and directs work of survey crews; operates survey equipment including Conventional Optical Instruments, Global Positioning Systems and other equipment to measure distances, horizontal angles and elevations.
• Inspects work to ensure that it is conducted according to instructions and is in conformity with accepted land surveying standards.
• Perform in depth research of various records pertaining to current survey projects; refer to parcel maps and other related materials.
• Maintain accurate, orderly and legible field notes of survey work performed including lines, angles, distances, benchmarks and mathematical calculation; operates a computer and peripheral equipment to compile survey notes and creates drawings as required.
• Enforce City codes and standards on construction projects related to property boundaries, legal descriptions, rights of ways and construction specifications of public improvements.
• Perform design checks to ensure contractor compliance with City specifications related to slopes, grades and elevations.
• Respond to citizen complaints concerning engineering problems.
• Perform detailed preliminary, topographic, construction, property, geodetic and other engineering surveys; estimate grade and elevation of projects.
• Maintain City monumentation; replace monuments as needed; maintain and update records to ensure accurate survey activities.
• File the necessary documents with Stanislaus County Recorder for Monument rehabilitation.
• Collect field survey data for the City Geographical Information System.
• Perform field reviews and surveys of various engineering projects.
• Perform survey activities in a safe and effective manner.
• Participate in a variety of special survey projects as assigned.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of land surveying as applied to the design and construction of public works facilities, technical inspection services, design review and other areas.
• Applicable laws, regulations and codes related to development and construction of public works.
• Principles and practices of modern office management.
• Design and construction theory and engineering design standards.

Ability to:

• Train City staff on land surveying principles and procedures as they pertain to engineering projects.
• Perform complex survey activities and lead survey crews as required.
• Gather, interpret, record and apply field notes in the performance of survey duties.
• Prepare and maintain accurate survey records.
• Inspect/review development and capital projects for compliance with City standards and City approved improvement plans.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Apply and interpret codes, specification and maps in carrying out duties.
• Use algebraic formulas, trigonometry and statistical mathematics to accomplish the level of work described.
• Make effective public presentations.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Approximately four years experience performing increasingly responsible and complex land surveying activities related to the construction of public rights of way, public utilities, roadways or infrastructure.

High school diploma or GED certificate supplemented by college coursework in the field of land surveying.

Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Land Surveyor or as a Professional Civil Engineer issued prior to 1982 in the State of California. If licensed in another state, must obtain registration as a Professional Land Surveyor in the State of California within six months of appointment.

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s license at the time of appointment to be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain the following physical abilities: See well enough to operate vehicles and survey equipment, read instructions and follow directions; hear well enough to distinguish mechanical noises, to converse on the radio, telephone and in person; bodily mobility to walk, bend, stand, crouch or climb for extended periods of time; ability to operate survey equipment; use hands and fingers for writing, typing, drafting, manipulating precision tools and equipment and other computer related functions; able to lift equipment as necessary; able to tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing essential functions and be able to lift equipment as necessary.