City Land Surveyor (Continuous)
The Position
***Continuous Recruitment*** Recruitment may close at any time, interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees. Why join the City of Oakland Department of Transportation?
Are you interested in being part of a big team that is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of a community? If so, we're excited to invite you to join the City of Oakland's Department of Transportation Survey Division as City Land Surveyor. This job is both stimulating and dynamic, with work both in the office and out in the field. You'll get to help different parts of the city government, like the Department of Transportation Engineering, Traffic and Emergency Response, and Public Works Project Delivery, Sanitary Sewer, Geographic Information System (GIS), Planning and Building, Land Development, and the City Attorney's Office.
Working with us means you'll be part of a group that's focused on improving things like roads, housing, and other important parts of the city. In our Survey Division, you'll do lots of different things, like utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as GPS and Robotic Total Station to create topographic mapping, boundary resolution, plat mapping, and the creation of legal descriptions based on historical records dating back as far as 172 years. You'll also help with construction projects to make sure they're done correctly, and you'll work on surveys for things like traffic and bridges. Plus, you'll help with planning and development projects, making sure they follow the rules and regulations.
Being on our team isn't just about doing the job – it's about caring for Oakland and the people who live here. You'll help keep important historical records and work closely with other city departments. By joining us, you'll be part of making Oakland better and more successful. As a surveyor, you'll be a key player in driving progress forward. Join us and become the trusted force making positive changes in our city. Trust the Surveyor!
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced: You are skilled at accurately establishing or reestablishing property boundaries based on records, historical evidence, and current standards. You can seamlessly incorporate this expertise into mapping systems, blueprints, and legal documents.
- Knowledgeable: You have a thorough understanding of Boundary Control, legal principles, State Laws, and City Ordinances. This extends to collecting field data, using computers, and understanding complex geospatial concepts.
- Collaborative: You will work closely with different departments to ensure that the data you provide meets the needs of all department users reliant on the acquired data.
- Scholarly: You are devoted to studying the geographical context to grasp the impact of historical land surveying maps, evolving legislation such as the Subdivision Map Act, and the ramifications evident in case law.
- Dedicated: You are willing to put in the time and effort needed to make sure your work is accurate and reliable.
- Insightful: You possess a deep understanding of industry standards, state regulations, local ordinances, and a keen awareness of the perspectives of your colleagues.
- Purposeful: You approach your work with a clear goal, knowing that what you do has real significance and direction.
What you will typically be responsible for:
- Collaborating with other city departments and divisions, such as City Engineering, Project Delivery, Sanitary Sewer, Planning, Building, and the City Attorney's Office.
- Preparing legal documents like descriptions and maps needed for property deals, public records, and legal cases.
- Communicating with property owners, developers, government officials, and the public to address inquiries, provide information, and resolve disputes related to land surveying matters.
- Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards governing land surveying activities.
- Accurately establishing and verifying property lines and boundaries within the city limits.
- Cultivating a growth mindset by fostering a culture of continuous learning, resilience, and adaptability, and encouraging mentees to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
A few reasons you might love this job:
- Every day brings new challenges and projects, from boundary surveys to construction staking, ensuring that the job remains engaging and dynamic.
- You will collaborate with civil engineers, planners, developers, and other professionals, fostering teamwork and camaraderie in achieving project goals.
- You will be a part of preserving the City's history, in regards to surveying, which goes back 172 years.
- You will play a vital role in facilitating land development, infrastructure projects, and urban planning initiatives that benefit communities and improve quality of life.
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- You may face skepticism or mistrust from the public regarding property boundaries or survey results.
- You are faced with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as zoning ordinances and land use laws, which adds layers of complexity to surveying projects and requires meticulous attention to detail.
- You will be working with limited resources which may impact surveying equipment, training, and personnel.
Competencies Required:
- Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
- Industry Monitoring: Grasping the external political, economic, competitive, and social factors affecting the industry
- Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
- Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
- Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
- Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
- Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
- Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
- Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
- Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
- Delegating: Sharing responsibility, authority, and accountability
- Leading Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions, functions, or teams
- Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives
- Strategic Thinking & Perspective: Evaluating immediate actions in context of achieving long range objectives
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or surveying AND thirty (30) hours of course work in supervision. Experience: Four years of surveying experience of which two years must be comparable to Chief of Party in the City of Oakland. License or Certificate / Other Requirements: Possession of a State of California certificate of registration as a Professional Land Surveyor or as a Professional Civil Engineer authorized to practice land surveying (issued prior to 1982).