Senior Land Surveyor

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Land Resources and Parks Director, conduct survey operations including, but not limited to those defined by Wisconsin State Statutes, Chapter 59.60.  Performs and supervises all work associated with accurate location, monumentation, and documentation of Public Land Survey System (PLSS) section corners to maintain the PLSS; provides professional surveying projects for County departments and committees upon request; performs research, computations and prepares reports; prepares, maintains and preserves survey index and records; coordinates field excavation operations with Highway Department, maintains survey vehicles; checks GPS equipment for defects and malfunctions, and maintains inventory of survey monuments and supplies.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Performs all statutory responsibilities and functions of county surveyor as defined by Wisconsin State Statutes, Chapter 59.60.
2. Prioritizes, directs, oversees, and coordinates daily /seasonal/project workload of all field and office duties of survey support staff and administers oath of affirmation.
3. Performs necessary research, field reconnaissance, property contact, data acquisition and computation to support location of existing and temporary surveying points used for stabling and maintaining permanent section corners, lines and GPSNET using land surveying procedures and equipment.
4. Reviews, writes reports and finalizes U.S. Public Land Survey (USPLS) project information; evaluates, determines legally accepted positions of USPLS corners and monuments and creates a record of all corners; indexes and preserves these monument records.
5. Performs necessary field work to monument section corners to establish permanent location.
6. Maintains, preserves and makes available upon request corner maintenance records to provide necessary information to locate and identify completed and incomplete corners.
7. Searches for and located lot corners from surveys or in field to assist in upgrading accuracy of tax parcel mapping.
8. Provides surveying services for County purposes when requested by County departments/offices/committees or as required by a court.
9. Provides evaluation/expert testimony needed by courts in regards to surveys performed or PLSS corners located.
10. Provides surveying and mapping assistance to private surveyors, local municipalities, state agencies and the public.
11. Reviews problem situations with recorded documents, making recommendations regarding corrections to the record.
12. Drafts monument records and survey maps as necessary utilizing appropriate software and techniques.
13. Responsible for providing updated PLSS files to State Cartographer’s Office for internet publication; update as new records created.
14. Coordinates scheduling, acquisition of permits, and conducts field evacuation of section corners in cooperation with Highway Department when necessary to perform field searches for section corners.
15. Reviews Certified Survey Maps for approval as part of the County’s CSM review process.
16. Reviews Certified Survey Maps, Plats, Condominiums and Plat of Survey and consults with private surveyors and survey/mapping/Code/Highway staff to ensure accuracy and resolve issues.
17. Checks GPS and metal locating equipment to maintain accuracy using surveying procedures and equipment manuals.
18. Maintains and services survey vehicles.
19. Verifies adequate field equipment and supplies are available in vehicle.
20. Assists in design, development and implementation of imaging projects for archival, retrieval and integration of scanned survey-related document images into land records system.
21. Advises Director of Land Resources and Parks on survey-related technology, implementation issues and assists in determining priorities for survey activities and projects.
22. Checks survey supplies regularly, determining projected use to maintain inventory.
23. Communicates and deals effectively with government, private and public sector as required.
24. Monitors and follows up on compliance of professional surveyors submitting surveys in the County with state statute and administrative code. 
25. Keeps informed of relevant government regulations, policies, and developments pertaining to survey-related matters and shares this information with Director.
26. Assists attorneys, abstractors, other professionals, and general public in usage of the on-line Land Records Search Tool (LRST) and GIS Web Map Tool for self-directed acquisition of land records data.
27. Designs/conducts programs for community and other groups promoting awareness of the importance of maintaining the PLSS.
28. Regular attendance and punctuality required.
29. Performs related duties as may be required or assigned by Director.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of theories and practices of land surveying, survey field operations and land description.
• Considerable knowledge of laws and regulation related to survey and real estate.
• Considerable knowledge of County procedures for locating section corners and maintenance of records.
• Considerable knowledge of surveying hardware and software.
• Considerable knowledge of GPS technology and its applications.
• Considerable knowledge of mathematical principles and procedures applied to land surveying.
• Considerable knowledge of mapping (CAD) software (Autodesk preferred).
• Considerable knowledge of terminology used in various deeds and other real estate documents affecting ownership, assessment, and property location.
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office Professional Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook), Records Management Software and internet access.
• Knowledge of document scanning concepts, techniques and IS system integration.
• Thorough knowledge of local governmental organization.
• Thorough knowledge of proper legal documentation, recording and filing.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete survey records (detail oriented).
• Ability to communicate (in verbal and written format) to a wide range of audiences with vastly differing levels of understanding.
• Ability to research, analyze, interpret, evaluate, understand and communicate technical material effectively.
• Ability to plan, prepare/implement, support substantially difficult drafting, mapping and land description projects.
• Ability to understand and utilize digital orthophotography and elevation data to evaluate situations and resolve problems.
• Thorough knowledge in use of on-line applications developed to assist users to self-acquire real property data (i.e., Land Records Search Tool and GIS Web Map tool).
• Ability to set goals and objectives, meet project completion dates, and establish methods of completion.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional, effective public and working relationships, at times working with difficult or hostile individuals with tact and courtesy.
• Ability to think clearly and react appropriately and professionally under pressure.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to deal with multiple priorities and problems concurrently; meet deadlines.
• Ability to conscientiously develop and apply quality standards and monitor accuracy and quality of data.
• Ability to work independently and design/manage/document multiple work assignments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to oversee and professionally direct the work of others.
• Willingness to participate in professional organization.
• Willingness to improve and enhance professional education through attendance at seminars or other available programs.
• Ability to perform and supervise section corner traverse work.
• Must meet requirement of Dodge County Driver Qualification Policy.

Education & Experience:

Four (4) year Bachelor’s Degree in land surveying or related field, four (4) years experience related to position, and twelve (12) Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) related to specific job responsibilities, or Master’s degree in cartography or land surveying and three (3) years experience related to specific job responsibilities and six (6) CEU’s related to specific job responsibilities.  Registration as a Wisconsin Registered Land Surveyor is required.

Apply online at link included