Land Survey Technician

Join our Public Works team as a Land Survey Technician, where you’ll play an essential role in delivering accurate, high‑quality survey data for city projects. Working under the direction of the City Land Surveyor, you will perform hands‑on fieldwork, prepare technical calculations and maps, operate leading‑edge survey equipment, and collaborate with engineering and project teams. The incumbent in this position will be contributing to projects that shape streets, utilities, public facilities, and more.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys both outdoor fieldwork and office‑based analysis and thrives in a team environment. The successful candidate will have graduated from an accredited two-year college with a degree in Surveying Technology or a related field, along with two (2) years or more of progressively responsible experience in Land Surveying. If you bring strong technical capabilities, experience with survey tools and software, and a commitment to accuracy, this is an excellent opportunity to support the community’s infrastructure and future growth.

This is a full-time, benefited position that is not represented by a union. All City of Kent employees and external candidates are eligible to apply.  

**Please note that you must attach your cover letter and resume to your application for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.** 

The selection process for this position will include at least one (1) panel interview. Applications will be accepted through Friday, October 23.

SALARY:

$7,631.00- $9,275.00 per month, depending on experience

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the City Land Surveyor or designee, the incumbent performs routine to technical land survey duties alone or on a survey party; makes advanced mathematical computations in the performance of assigned field and office work.

Work is characterized by technical duties related to surveying and calculation of land survey projects. The incumbent is responsible for collecting field data that is provided to the Survey Party Chief or Assistant City Surveyor as required. The incumbent will assist other survey crews in the department or provide backup support when the work unit is short-handed. The incumbent may work as an instrument person or head chainperson as required. The work of the Survey Technician requires the incumbent to be proficient with surveying and drafting and familiar with engineering applications and computer survey programs. The incumbent ensures that acceptable field methods are used so that work is completed and recorded in an accurate manner.

Work is performed under general supervision. Supervisor defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines; and assists the incumbent with unusual situations which do not have clear objectives or precedents. Incumbent plans and carries out assignments and handles problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures and/or accepted practices. Work is evaluated for technical soundness, timeliness, accuracy, and conformity to departmental practice and policy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operate a variety of Land Survey Field equipment such as Data Collectors, Robotic Total Stations, Digital Levels, GNSS devices, Drones, and associated software

Record legible, accurate and complete survey notes for all field surveys according to departmental procedures

Manage Data Collector file information with Cloud storage for assigned daily tasks

Process, analyze, and identify errors in daily work through current office survey software

Determine the source of errors and correct them to provide a current standard Survey deliverable to internal/external customers

Perform  accurate, technical engineering calculations including, but not limited to distances, ties, angles, areas and elevations using geometric and trigonometric equations and formulas, calculate proper closure of field equipment traverses and level loops including verification of calculations performed by others, perform necessary calculations in order to set stakes and hubs for public works projects such as street, utility, and building locations along with proper grades and profiles. Prepare respective cut sheets using office software to construction project managers and contractors

Locate and set survey monuments according to state regulations. Update and maintain the City Survey Monument Control network through mobile applications and current office database software

Setup/takedown and provide traffic control according to federal guidelines

Work with Engineering; calculate and verify results of engineering plans for layout activities such as street improvements, traffic channelization and signalization, sanitary sewers, water mains, storm sewers, flood control, and erosion/sediment control

Read and interpret Legal Descriptions. Draft exhibit maps such as tract and parcel, property line, land ownership, right-of-way, and easements using current computer aided design and drafting (CADD) programs, aerial imagery, and GIS data

Research boundary, easement, and right-of-way information from a variety of internal/external sources to complete assigned tasks

Collect, process and provide location data to be included in the City Geographic Information System (GIS)

Work independently with other sections of the Public Works department on projects as assigned.

Clean and maintain all field equipment and vehicles

Actively support the vision, mission, values and goals of the department and the City.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

Act as a Survey Party Chief as needed and work independently

Train and/or direct others in proper surveying techniques to ensure the job is performed per the applicable City of Kent requirements while meeting the desired results.

Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles and practices of surveying, drafting, engineering design, and construction
• State Plane coordinate systems and map projections
• GNSS survey techniques, terminology and equipment
• Principles and practices of remote sensing applications
• Maintenance and adjustment of surveying equipment
• Principles of trigonometry, geometry and algebra
• Principles and practices of research and analysis
• Current AutoDesk software
• ESRI software desirable
• Correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary as it pertains to the job

SKILLED IN:

• CADD, and current Survey software to process field work including topography, construction staking, aerial imagery, and point clouds
• Cloud storage services
• Algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and statistical analysis
• Reading and interpreting design plans
• Organizing and prioritizing work for self and others
• Written and oral communication
• Responding to frequently changing work responsibilities
• Working effectively with the general public
• Working effectively as part of a team
• Ability to understand and execute instructions

ABILITY TO:

• Perform field GNSS survey work including Network RTK, Real Time Differential and Static Baseline measurements
• Perform manual and technical field survey work; analyze instrument errors; make field adjustments to equipment
• Read, interpret, verify, and work from engineering plans, blueprints, construction and shop drawings, maps, and sketches
• Prepare accurate and legible field notes, sketches and reports
• Clean and maintain all field equipment and vehicles
• Maintain records and prepare reports
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, elected officials, managers, employees and the public
• Effectively organize and express ideas through use of oral and written communications
• Read, analyze and interpret operating and procedure manuals
• Speak effectively and present information in one-on-one and small group situations to the public and other employees of the organization
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide; compute fractions, ratios, percentages, proportions; draw and interpret graphs and charts; work with mathematical concepts such as fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry; apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Utilize interpersonal skills in daily tasks in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner

SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:

Education: Graduation from an accredited two-year college with a degree in Surveying Technology or related field, and

Experience:  Two (2) years or more of progressively responsible experience in Land Surveying

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Washington State driver’s license, or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment
• Must be able to successfully pass the City’s pre-employment driver’s records check; successfully complete the City’s Defensive Driving Course; and maintain an excellent driving record
• First Aid Certification or ability to obtain within six (6) months from hire date
• Flagger’s Certification or ability to obtain within six (6) months from hire date
• New employees must successfully pass the City's pre-employment substance abuse screening
• Must successfully pass a position relevant background inquiry

MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Standard and specialized hand and power machines, tools and equipment used in surveying but not limited to modern Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, digital levels, drones, total stations, data collectors, rods, machetes and calculators.

The incumbent is required to operate a City vehicle to conduct fieldwork.

The incumbent may also use typical business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, printers, plotters, paper cutters, cellular phone, pager, telephone, fax and copy machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods; and talk and hear. The incumbent frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds, frequently lift and /or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds or more with assistance. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an office and field environment. While working in the office environment, the incumbent is required to work at a computer terminal for extended periods of time. While working in the field environment, the incumbent is required to walk and stand for extended periods of time. Further, the incumbent is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and working in heavy traffic. The incumbent is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and excessive heights. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.