Land Survey/GIS Manager

The City of Kent is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Land Survey/GIS Manager to lead a dedicated team responsible for delivering precise, reliable, and legally compliant surveying and mapping services for Public Works projects. In this key leadership role, you will oversee complex land surveying and GIS functions, manage section operations, and ensure the accuracy and integrity of the City’s geospatial and property boundary data—work that directly supports capital improvement efforts, long‑range planning, and public infrastructure development.

You will set section goals, manage resources, direct staff, administer consultant contracts, and evaluate legal and financial impacts of survey/GIS work. This position also serves as a technical advisor to City departments, developers, consultants, and the public, and frequently represents the City as a subject matter expert at meetings, hearings, and public presentations.

If you are a licensed Professional Land Surveyor with extensive experience in land boundary law, GIS systems, staff supervision, and public-sector surveying standards, this is an opportunity to lead a high-impact section that ensures the accuracy, safety, and reliability of Kent’s public infrastructure and property data.

The ideal candidate will have graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in land surveying or a related field, along with 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in land surveying, with five (5) years being at a supervisory level.

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 position is open until filled, but initial interviews will tentatively take place the week of either August 3rd or August 17th. The selection process for this position will include at least one panel interview.

SALARY:

$12,185.00- $14,823.00 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 Deputy Public Works Director – Engineering and Public Works Director, supervise and perform complex and professional land survey and GIS duties in the management, administration, coordination and direction of Public Works Civil Engineering projects; train, supervise, assign, and review the work of assigned personnel; assure efficient and effective functioning of the Land Survey/GIS Engineering Section.

Work is characterized by management, administrative, and supervisory responsibilities for the organization, including directing and evaluating the operation of the Land Survey/GIS Section.  The incumbent directly supervises employees in the Land Survey/GIS Section; and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures as well as applicable laws. The incumbent’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, interviewing, hiring, and training employees; setting goals, establishing priorities and managing resources; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and recommending terminations as appropriate.

Work is performed under managerial direction. The supervisor provides the incumbent with assignments in terms of broad practice, precedents, policies, and goals. Work may be reviewed for fulfillment of program objectives and conformance with departmental policy, practice, and/or objective.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advising City staff, consultants, developers, and citizens on Surveying and GIS mapping issues

Determine section goals and objectives

Plan, prioritize, and assign Survey and GIS mapping projects

Oversee the process with interviewing and hiring employees, perform evaluations on Survey and GIS supervisors, recommending promotion or disciplinary actions, address complaints, resolve personnel issues, approve/schedule sick leave and vacation time, and recommend terminations as appropriate.

Establish performance standards and ensure efficient utilization of staff

Review survey and GIS mapping projects for financial and legal impacts

Develop and oversee the section budget 

Evaluate Staff and equipment needs

Provide the development and training for Survey and GIS staff

Prepare scope and budget for survey and GIS mapping services on City projects

Administer the City’s obligation to safeguard the Public Land Survey System and the National Geodetic Reference System monuments as mandated by state and federal law

Negotiate and administer consultant contracts

Approve and certify right-of-way maps, legal descriptions, court exhibits, etc.

Review land use applications such as plats, short plats, and lot line adjustments for compliance with City Code and State Law when necessary

Research, collect, and evaluate boundary evidence to perform calculations to assist with determining the location of property lines, public rights of way, and easements

Read, review, interpret, write and certify legal descriptions for annexations, road vacations, easements, and other City documents

Read, interpret, and provide peer review for engineering construction plans, maps, and specifications

Represent the City as an expert witness

Serve as the City and division representative at various meetings as required; participate on committees and deliver oral presentations as needed, including, but not limited to, the Committee of the Whole and City Council

Prepare the section budget and submit required documentation and justifications; monitor expenditures and maintain related financial records

Review and provide recommendations concerning local Public Works codes, regulations, policies, and ordinances as directed

Respond to questions and complaints from the public concerning assigned Land Survey and GIS mapping functions; provide technical information related to codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and projects

Supervise and participate in the duties of the Land Survey/GIS Section; perform Land Survey/GIS management duties for the Engineering Division related to Public Works capital improvement projects as assigned by the Deputy Public Works Director – Engineer and Public Works Director

Attend property owner, Committee of the Whole, City Council meetings, and other meetings and hearings as required; answer technical questions related to Land Survey/GIS mapping requirements

Prepare an Annual Business Plan and Annual Work Plan for the major accomplishments and projects for each Budget Year relating to the strategic plan and goals of the City and Department

Actively support the City and department’s mission, vision, values, and goals

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

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

• Develop staff professionally

• 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

• GPS/GNSS survey techniques, terminology, software and equipment

• Public Land Survey system retracement and subdivision rules

• State and Federal boundary law and judicial decisions

• Principles of trigonometry, geometry, and algebra

• Principles and practices of research and analysis

• Recordkeeping techniques

• Current Autodesk and ESRI software

• GIS System Design

• Relational Database Management Systems design

• Municipal land development processes

• Supervisory principles and practices

• Budget preparation and administration

• Proper use of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary as it pertains to the job

SKILLED IN:

• COGO, CAD, GIS and GPS/GNSS software

• Computer hardware and operating systems

• Algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and statistical analysis

• Reading and interpreting design plans

• Mentoring, training, and motivating others

• 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:

• Supervise and perform complex and technical engineering duties in the coordination and direction of Public Works Civil Engineering projects

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Read, interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures

• Manage, supervise, train, and evaluate personnel

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action

• Work from blueprints, shop drawings, and sketches

• Organize and schedule work to meet timelines

• Work independently with little direction

• Plan and organize work

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

Education:  Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Land Surveying or related field, and

Experience:  Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience in Land Surveying with five (5) of those years being at a supervisory level

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Washington State Professional Land Surveyor License required

• GIS Certificate preferred

• Valid Washington State driver’s license, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment

• Must successfully pass the city’s pre-employment records check and maintain an excellent driving record

• Must successfully pass a position specific background check

MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Typical business office machinery and equipment used include, but are not limited to, personal computer, telephone, fax and copy machine, calculator, and projector.

The incumbent may also be required to operate a City vehicle.

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 sit; use hands to manipulate, handle and feel; talk; and hear. The incumbent must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds with or without assistance, frequently lift and/or move 30 to 50 pounds with or without assistance, and occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds or more with assistance. The incumbent occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an office environment and an outdoor field environment. The noise level in the work environment is normally moderate in the office and loud in the field. The incumbent may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. The incumbent is subject to driving to various locations to inspect or review construction projects.