Senior Public Works Technician - Surveying

Job Summary

Employee performs work of a difficult and complex operational nature involving skilled technical survey work. May be assigned as lead worker for a survey crew; uses survey instruments and computers for creation of drawings and in making calculations in the office. Some employees in this class work most of their time in the office, while others work nearly all of their time in field locations. Work in the field may be hazardous and dirty.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Specific duties for Senior PW Technician positions vary slightly by position focus, department area and project. Some evening and weekend hours are required.

• Reviews, checks mathematical accuracy, and approves Minnesota Statute 505 subdivision plats, Minnesota Statute 515 Common Interest Community plats, and Minnesota Statute 508 Registered Land Surveys. Communicates and assists private Licensed Land Surveyors in making necessary changes to Plats/RLS for compliance with said Statutes. 

• Prepares and updates maps, plats, drawings, and tie sheets as requested.

• Updates and maintains multiple GIS databases that are critical for other county departments to Deliver What Matters. Researches and determines land parcel boundaries and right of way, interprets complex legal descriptions, computes mathematical closure and location of boundaries, and assigns parcel numbers.

• Operates survey instruments including GPS receivers, total stations, and automatic levels; takes field notes of readings; plots cross section, profiles, and contours from field data; computes coordinates from field notes and legal descriptions. Communicates with landowners regarding all work that is being done. 

• Researches, prepares reports, and maintains the county Public Land Survey (PLS) monuments. Provides expertise to recognize and analyze PLS evidence as it pertains to establishing PLS monument positions. 

• Conducts Torrens inspections and assists the County Surveyor with research, computations, and the preparation of reports.

• 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.

• Works with Right-of-Way staff for various staking requests for county highway projects.

• Assists the County Ditch Inspector in researching, analyzing and alleviating issues with County Ditches. Records ditch elevations in order to locate possible water flow blockage; updates ditch maps. Works with contractors to effectively maintain the County Ditch System. Provides Public Ditch owners with information, listens to their issues and provides workable solutions to said issues. 

• Assists in coordinating work assignments with other activities of the department, and with other county departments. Coordinates and conducts assigned research for projects as directed by the County Surveyor.

• Leads field crew as crew chief as assigned.

• Researches, inspects, and writes various survey reports.

• Provides technical guidance, assists in training, and checks the work of seasonal and other employees.

• Assists in the development of processes, procedures, and applications used to maintain and improve daily operations.

• Assists and participates in the planning, development, training, implementation, and maintenance of new systems related to survey software and equipment.

• Assists the Surveyor’s Office unmanned aircraft system (drone) program by ensuring aircraft flight worthiness, performing necessary and routine maintenance activities, and maintaining necessary flight records. Supports other departments with their drone needs.

• Stays current on new surveying and GIS technology and serves as a technical resource for the Surveyor’s Office.

• Works the hours and/or shifts assigned and begins and ends work on time.

• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Requires equivalency of an associate's degree in surveying or related field and four years of experience in surveying. A valid driver's license and a reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities are required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S)

Experience in AutoCAD and AutoDesk Civil 3D, Geographic Information System software, Global Positioning System software, and COGO software highly preferred.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general guidance and direction from the County Surveyor and/or Deputy County Surveyor. Assignments received orally and in writing, consist of general statements of objectives and approximate time schedules. Guidance is available when required; however, the employee is expected to work independently as a technical lead and according to prescribed procedures.

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.

Knowledge – Knowledge of the principles and practices of land surveying and civil engineering.

Knowledge of the use of survey equipment and techniques.

Knowledge of the topography, political boundaries, and highway system of the county.

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 including the general public.

Ability to distinguish between colors associated with computer mapping.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

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

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

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires 40 hours of office and outside field work. The work is physically oriented and includes navigating awkward spaces to access signal control panels and equipment. The position includes on-call work to address special circumstances, situations, and community safety needs. The work environment includes regular exposure to hazards, including high voltage, heights, and working around moving traffic and equipment. One may be exposed to construction site hazards such as falling debris, moving equipment, chemical/dust exposure, treacherous surfaces, etc. when traversing inspection sites. Employee may be exposed to inclement and changing weather conditions.

 Physical activities include light to medium work: reaching, sitting, standing, walking, climbing, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 50 pounds on a routine basis in handling tools and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job. May lift or navigate up to 75 pounds on occasion.

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.