County Surveyor

This position serves as the County Surveyor for Bayfield County under Wis. Stat. § 59.45 and is responsible for managing and maintaining Public Land Survey System (PLSS) records, reviewing land division documents, and providing professional surveying guidance to Bayfield County departments, private surveyors, and the public.

Examples of Duties

1. Carry out statutory responsibilities of the County Surveyor in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 59.45.
2. Maintain, restore, and document PLSS section corners.
3. Prepare and file tie sheets using WCCS (Bayfield County Coordinate System) and GPS coordinates.
4. Review and approve Certified Survey Maps (CSMs) under Wis. Stat. § 236.34.
5. Respond to public inquiries related to property boundaries and legal descriptions.
6. Assist County departments with surveying-related needs, easements, and legal property boundary issues.
7. Support County’s Land Records Modernization Plan through accurate surveying and mapping.
8. Collaborate with Land Records and GIS staff.
9. Maintain and submit public records per Wis. Stat. § 59.20.
10. Provide oversight and training in Wisconsin surveying principles to staff or job shadows.
11. Maintain detailed records of all field work performed.
12. Coordinate private survey review with Land Records Office to ensure quality assurance and avoid conflicts of interest.
13. Maintain survey archives.
14. Guide and implement section corner remonumentation.
15. Review survey maps and advise stakeholders.
16. Assist with the County subdivision ordinance.
17. Supervise and support Survey Technician.
18. Serve on the Land Information Council.
19. Provide boundary determination and resolution support.
20. Survey County-owned properties.
21. Assist with County land sales and acquisitions.
22. Train staff in survey equipment and software.
23. Direct GIS/Survey Tech on survey projects.
24. Perform tasks assigned by the Land Information Officer.
25. Maintain GPS coordinates in PLSS.
26. Conduct survey work for various County departments.
27. Provide input on contracted survey services.
28. Establish GIS project control points.

Qualifications

• Professional Land Surveyor (PLS), licensed in the State of Wisconsin.
• Minimum of an associate degree in land surveying or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of related experience.
• County or municipal experience preferred.
• Experience working with Public Land Survey System (PLSS) restoration and maintenance preferred.
• Familiarity with Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Plat Review procedures is a plus.
• Experience coordinating with county or local planning and zoning departments is desirable.
• Must maintain license and complete continuing education as required.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license.

Physical Requirements:

• Traverse uneven terrain in varied weather conditions.
• Work in outdoor environments including steep, wet, and urban areas.
• Work extended hours in public right-of-way areas.
• Lift and carry 50 lbs over long distances.
• Excavate frozen soil with hand tools.
• Perform physically demanding tasks for extended durations.
• Maintain vision for close detail and screen use.
• Operate survey tools in cold environments.
• Drive and operate survey and field equipment (e.g., truck, UTV, chainsaw, sledgehammer, shovel, metal detector, boat).

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of Wisconsin Statutes Section 59 regarding Surveyor duties.
• Ability to develop and maintain a PLSS monument maintenance system in compliance with State Statutes, Administrative Codes, and ordinances.
• Proficiency in reviewing CSMs and plats to ensure statutory and ordinance compliance.
• Skill in performing record searches and field investigations to resolve conflicting survey records.
• Ability to maintain detailed and organized records, maps, and survey notes.
• Ability to assist the public and surveyors with boundary and mapping issues.
• Experience supporting GPS network development and monument maintenance.
• Knowledge of land division, easements, and right-of-way laws.
• Proficiency in GPS, GIS software, and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with LiDAR and aerial imagery integration.
• Ability to perform boundary retracement and corner perpetuation.
• Strong skills in interpreting legal property descriptions.
• Project management and deadline adherence.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Technical writing and documentation proficiency.
• Supervisory skills for entry-level staff.
• Commitment to professional ethics and conflict of interest transparency.
• Independent work capability with sound judgment.