Professional Land Surveyor - Principal

Job Summary

Performs professional and advanced technical survey work, directs projects, and participates in complex land surveys. The incumbent may provide work direction to other employees performing drafting or surveying work. Approves and signs subdivision plats, CIC plats, Right-of-Way Plats, Land Title Registration Reports, and Registered Land Surveys in the absence/presence of the County Surveyor. Performs a wide variety of duties including: preparation of parcel sketches, exhibits, legal descriptions, documents, and highway right-of-way plats for various highway projects, conducts land title research and analysis on parcels for right-of-way acquisition, reviews title work and highway right-of-way plats prepared by consultants for right-of-way acquisition. Work is performed independently under the general supervision of the County Surveyor. Work in the field may be hazardous and dirty.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Reviews, approves, and signs Minnesota Statute 505 subdivision plats, Minnesota Statute 515 Common Interest Community plats, and Minnesota Statute 508 Registered Land Surveys. 

• Prepares and signs Minnesota Statute 160.085 and 160.14 highway right-of-way plats used for highway right-of-way acquisition. 

• Examines and reviews engineering plans to interpret and understand impacts and right-of-way needs on properties. Makes recommendations to the Highway Division Engineers.

• Collaborates with engineers and other land survey staff on civil and site development, transportation related planning, design, and construction projects.

• Prepares and generates parcel sketches, exhibits, legal descriptions, documents, and highway right-of-way plats for various highway projects, conducts land title research and analysis on parcels for right-of-way acquisition, reviews title work and highway right-of-way plats prepared by consultants for right-of-way acquisition. 

• Prepares technical and administrative exhibits and information using computers and specialized surveying software to aid administrative analysis and right-of-way activities and for public meetings, websites, and internal decision making.

• Utilizes field surveys and other data to determine and establish boundaries, topography, data collection, and geodetic control, overseeing construction staking for site layout, structures, grading, paving, roadways, and drainage features, performing survey calculations, preparing legal descriptions and survey documents along with plats and maps.

• Coordinates and manages IT initiatives for the Survey Department including managing the surveying software. Contributes to Scott County internet functions as site administrator maintaining intranet and Survey Department websites.

• Serves as the continuous process improvement agent for the Surveyor’s office. Provides the technical assistance for systems, processes, and automations to gain efficiencies and accuracy. Serves as the main contact for discovery and implementation of new technologies.

• Works with the GIS team and provides customer feedback on usability of the GIS application. Provides technical assistance to make the application more user friendly and beneficial to customers who visit the site and need parcel mapping and data.

• Provides a robust parcel data base process in GIS. Ensures parcels taken by easement reflect accurate acreage that includes roads. Develops a workflow process that will connect Land Records, Taxation, and Surveying process review and maintenance as well as the update to the GIS database seamless and timely.

• Provides leadership, continued assistance, and system delivery for the development of a county drainage document management system that includes historical data, modules for parcel splits, reallocations of benefits, and an automated lien statement for recording and owner notification of liens.

• Submits and signs Wetland permit applications on county drainage systems on behalf of the county drainage inspector.

• Manages and operates all flights of the county’s unmanned aircraft system (drone) program by ensuring aircraft flight worthiness, performing necessary and routine Highway and Survey maintenance activities, maintains necessary flight records, and registers new aircraft/maintaining registration on existing aircraft. Supports the County Enterprise in any initiative where drone footage can assist with County Board, County Administration, and Division Directors decision making.  

• Oversees questions related to land surveying and property rights. Prepares or oversees the preparation of legal descriptions of property boundaries. Researches land records deeds and titles to determine the precise location of property boundaries. Works with owners, attorneys, and other title professionals to fix any gaps and/or overlaps.

• Develops a system by which to track, update, and manage properties owned by the county. Oversees the preparation and recording of all county turn back documents to the cities and townships. 

• Oversees other county departments in the writing, interpreting, and/or reviewing land descriptions and surveying related issues. 

• Represents the County Surveyor in various meetings. 

• Researches, inspects, writes, and signs off on various reports. 

• Manages surveying software for the Surveying Department, including but not limited to computer software and surveying field equipment software. 

• Develops procedures and applications used to maintain and improve daily operations. 

• Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals. 

• Performs other related duties and required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Requires the equivalency of a Bachelor's Degree in Surveying, Civil Engineering, or related field, licensure as a Land Surveyor in the State of Minnesota, and five years of directly related experience as a Land Surveyor. Certified as a Remote Pilot through the Federal Aviation Administration. Training in AutoCAD and AutoDesk Civil 3D, Geographic Information System software, Global Positioning System software, and COGO software, are required. Requires exceptional math skills. A valid driver’s license and a reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S)

Complex project management and supervision experience preferred.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general guidance and direction from the County Surveyor. Assignments are received orally and/or in writing and consist of general statements of objectives and approximate time schedules. Independently resolves field problems. Work is reviewed upon completion but is periodically spot-checked during progress. Guidance is available when required; however, the employee is expected to work independently according to established plans, procedures, and using professional judgment. The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching, direction and mentoring to others.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES
Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.  Possesses lateral and logical thinking in order to implement new technology.

Knowledge – Knowledge of the principles and practices of land surveying, engineering, and drafting.

Knowledge of state statutes and guidelines for the subdivision of land into plats and condominiums.

Knowledge of state statutes and guidelines for the creation of highway right-of-way plats for right-of-way acquisition. 

Knowledge of the use of survey equipment and techniques. 

Knowledge of the Public Land Survey System and public property records. 

Knowledge of Global Positioning Systems technology and GIS. 

Knowledge of math functions such as trigonometry, algebra, geometry, and arithmetic. 

Knowledge of county policies, procedures, and labor contracts. 

Abilities – Ability to use surveying instruments and computers to prepare plans, maps, and drawings. 

Ability to take complex survey notes and tabulations, make moderately difficult computations, and accurately reflect such notes and computations in completed drawings. 

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others employees, contractors, other governmental agencies, and the general public. 

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to conduct complex analysis and solve problems. 

Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties. 

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature. 

Ability to work outdoors in all sorts of weather conditions. 

Ability to use common hand tools in the performance of work responsibilities. 

Ability to work independently without close supervision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires field work, typically in a construction-oriented setting; and inside work, typically in an office setting. One may be exposed to construction site hazards such as falling debris, moving equipment, chemical/dust exposure, treacherous surfaces, etc. when traversing inspection sites. 

Physical activities include light to medium work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds on occasion in handling equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.