Assistant City Surveyor

We are seeking an Assistant City Surveyor who will perform advanced professional and technical work directing cadastral, construction, and preliminary surveys for engineering design and related surveying activities. They will plan, direct, implement, supervise, and evaluate the daily activities and workflow of surveying staff; conduct land and construction surveys to develop and maintain survey monuments, boundaries, and benchmarks for infrastructure development; and provide critical technical support for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and property acquisition projects.

About You:

You are an independent, highly skilled surveying professional who thrives in a leadership role within a municipal engineering environment. You take pride in exercising initiative and technical precision, whether you are managing daily field workflows, supervising surveying staff, or establishing survey control networks for vital city infrastructure. With strong leadership capabilities and a commitment to accuracy, you excel at managing complex technical assignments while collaborating effectively with engineering teams, contractors, and city leadership.

Supervision Received:

Works under the general direction of the City Surveyor, with considerable independence in carrying out assigned responsibilities. Work is reviewed through consultation and evaluation of results.

Supervision Exercised:

Provides technical and functional direction to survey party staff. May act as City Surveyor in the City Surveyor's absence, within the scope of assigned authority and applicable licensure requirements.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and experience:

• High school diploma or GED, supplemented by college-level coursework in land surveying, civil engineering, or a closely related field.
• Associate’s Degree in land surveying, civil engineering, or a closely related field is preferred; Bachelor’s Degree is desirable.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional or technical surveying experience, including at least two (2) years leading survey crew activities.
• Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Examination is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires “In-Training” designation from the Arizona Board of Technical Registration or requires the ability to obtain “In-Training” designation with the Arizona Board of Technical Registration within six (6) months (Arizona Registered Land Surveyor preferred).
• Must possess a valid Arizona State Driver’s License or obtain one prior to employment.
• Must be able to safely access and move throughout construction sites and varied field terrain, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of surveying techniques used in making cross section, profile, location, topographic, and construction layout surveys; Local surveying principles, rules, and regulations governing land surveying as defined by Federal and State Statutes, rules, ordinances, standards and codes governing land surveys; Field survey engineering methods and techniques; Land status research methods, theories, concepts, methodology, and techniques; Methods for design, construction and maintenance of public works engineering projects; Operation, calibration, and maintenance of a variety of specialized surveyor equipment; Considerable knowledge of Civil Engineering and survey terminology, computer-aided drafting equipment and programs; Supervision and evaluation methods and techniques; City geography, traffic patterns, streets, landmarks and boundary locations; Working knowledge of personal computers and software (word processing, spreadsheets, project and scheduling – SmartGov, etc.); Occupational hazards, related Federal and State OSHA regulations and standard safety precautions.

Skills: Skill in operating and maintaining complex surveying equipment and electronic field data recording equipment; Planning, organizing and managing land survey projects; Reading, interpreting and applying project plans, maps, diagrams, legal descriptions, and technical specifications; Consolidating field notes and survey data into AutoCAD and Civil 3D software for base maps and drawings; Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software, including GIS, GPS, and other specialized engineering and general office software applications; Working in a team environment; Providing customer service, Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to provide work direction, guidance and supervision of assigned staff.

Abilities: Ability to use complex optical and electronic instruments and equipment used in survey engineering; Accurately read and comprehend maps, legal descriptions, sketches, construction plans, layouts, blueprints, etc.; Perform higher level mathematical calculations such as calculus, algebra, and trigonometry using a calculator/computer; Enter data or information into a terminal, PC, or other keyboard device to update/maintain databases; Review or check the work product of others for conformance with standards; Observe or monitor data in survey reports; Draw or letter charts, schedules, graphs, maps, or similar object; Prepare, organize and maintain survey field and office data, reports and systems; Write clear, complete and accurate reports and correspondence; Effectively deliver presentations in public settings; Effectively communicate complex technical information, orally and in writing, to a variety of work contacts; Coordinate and organize work activities for division staff; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with assigned employees coworkers, supervisor, other departments and the public; Follow and maintain safety standards and identify safety problems; Promote and adhere to safe work practices; Carry out assigned projects to their completion; Use appropriate tact and consideration in dealing with complaints and questions; Adapt to changing work priorities, accept changes in project schedules and meet deadlines; Work independently, and as team, to complete daily activities according to work schedule; Effectively supervise, evaluate, train and motivate employees and develop/maintain a positive working relationship in work environment and with employees; Use equipment and tools properly and safely; Perform in adverse weather conditions; Bend or stoop repeatedly or continually while performing surveying; Traverse safely over rough, uneven, sloping, or rocky surfaces or terrain, and maneuver around unfinished construction elements.

Supervision and Leadership (25%)

Provides day-to-day direction to survey party staff, including making recommendations for hiring, training, planning and prioritizing tasks, assigning work, scheduling, ensuring policy and procedure compliance, and monitoring staff performance and development. Assists the City Surveyor and City Engineer with performance planning and evaluations.

Organizes workflow for the day-to-day activities of survey party chiefs, instructs and trains subordinates in both field and office settings regarding technical aspects of surveying, and ensures survey party cooperation and support across other municipal departments. As needed, assists survey staff with daily tasks to ensure deadlines and project timelines are met with optimal efficiency and accuracy. May act as City Surveyor in the City Surveyor's absence, within the scope of assigned authority and applicable licensure requirements.

Field Surveying and Technical Operations (35%)

Delineates rights-of-way, conducts topographic surveys for design projects, and establishes control monuments for property surveys, construction staking, and aerial mapping control. Instructs survey crews in the field layout of complex construction projects, gathers field information preliminary to design improvement drawings, replaces lost survey monuments, and sets property corners on city land using legal descriptions and title information.

Prioritizes survey projects, conducts field reconnaissance to outline instructions for survey parties, and performs advanced survey computations and adjustments related to boundary decisions. Surveys and replaces property corners destroyed by city street or maintenance crews, and oversees the restoration and perpetuation of survey control monuments, street centerlines, horizontal and vertical controls, and cadastral monumentation.

Research, Mapping, and Legal Documentation (25%)

Performs complex computations from survey party notes for application to mapping or legal descriptions, and researches legal boundaries and record information for survey parties and mapping procedures. Drafts cadastral maps, legal plats, and records the same while using CAD, GIS, GPS, data-transfer, and related software to analyze survey data and prepare accurate maps and technical drawings.

Prepares legal descriptions for rights-of-way, deeds of dedication, easements, and other city land sales, purchases, parcel transfers, and leases for City Surveyor approval. Assists with boundary determinations under the direction of the City Surveyor, reads and interprets technical engineering plans and plots, reviews and verifies data, GPS coordinates, and control points, and prepares clear, accurate technical reports and documents.

Communication, Coordination, and Administration (15%)

Communicates regularly with engineering staff, contractors, developers, governmental agencies, and members of the public regarding construction plans, drawings, and survey needs. Provides technical guidance to property owners, developers, planning staff, and stakeholders regarding access, rights-of-way, subdivision design, and surveying matters consistent with city and state requirements.

Maintains survey records and indexes for the general public, private surveyors, engineers, and other agencies in accordance with state law. Provides excellent customer service by responding to inquiries and complaints and resolving problems. Works under the general direction of the City Surveyor with considerable independence, maintains regular attendance, confidentiality, and safety practices, and participates in peripheral duties, committees, or emergency recall as needed.

BE PART OF SOMETHING GREAT - BUILD YOUR FUTURE IN KINGMAN
The City of Kingman is located in Mohave County approximately 100 miles southeast of Las Vegas and 195 miles northwest of Phoenix nestled between the beautiful Cerbat and Hualapai mountain ranges along historic Route 66. In 2019, Reader’s Digest named Kingman one of the “Nicest Places in Arizona” for its thoughtful residents and spirit of generosity. In addition to its small-town look and feel, the area also offers a wide range of recreational activities that include hiking, bike and ATV trails, camping, golf, beautiful parks, historical attractions, nearby lakes and the Colorado River.

With more than 400 full and part-time employees across 30 divisions, the City of Kingman provides exceptional public services to over 30,000 residents. Our focus on high-quality customer service, safety and teamwork underpins our efforts to foster an atmosphere where citizens and businesses can thrive.

For more information about the City of Kingman, please see our Open Finance Portal, Choose Kingman Economic Development page and our Go Kingman tourism page for more information.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics attached to the job description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. See Physical Demands.

COMMITMENT TO SAFETY & WELLNESS
It is the policy of the City of Kingman to ensure a safe, healthful workplace for all its employees. It requires that every person in the organization assumes the responsibility of individual and organizational safety. Injury and illness losses from incidents are costly and preventable.  The City of Kingman will employ an effective accident and illness prevention program and a comprehensive wellness program that involves all its employees in the effort to eliminate workplace hazards and promote employee health and wellness. All employees are expected and encouraged to participate in safety and wellness program activities including the following: reporting hazards, unsafe work practices and accidents immediately to their supervisors or a safety committee representative; wearing required personal protective equipment; and participating in and supporting safety committee activities.  

DISCLAIMER
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this position.  This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the position changes.

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