City Land Surveyor (Continuous)

The Position

***Continuous Recruitment***
Recruitment may close at any time, but not before 10/2/24
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland Department of Transportation?

Are you interested in being part of a big team that is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of a community? If so, we're excited to invite you to join the City of Oakland’s Department of Transportation Survey Division as City Land Surveyor. This job is both stimulating and dynamic , with work both in the office and out in the field. You'll get to help different parts of the city government, like the Department of Transportation Engineering, Traffic and Emergency Response, and Public Works Project Delivery, Sanitary Sewer, Geographic Information System (GIS) , Planning and Building, Land Development, and the City Attorney's Office.

Working with us means you'll be part of a group that's focused on improving things like roads, housing, and other important parts of the city. In our Survey Division, you'll do lots of different things, like utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as GPS and Robotic Total Station to create topographic mapping, boundary resolution, plat mapping, and the creation of legal descriptions based on historical records dating back as far as 172 years. You'll also help with construction projects to make sure they're done correctly, and you'll work on surveys for things like traffic and bridges. Plus, you'll help with planning and development projects, making sure they follow the rules and regulations.

Being on our team isn't just about doing the job - it's about caring for Oakland and the people who live here. You'll help keep important historical records and work closely with other city departments. By joining us, you'll be part of making Oakland better and more successful. As a surveyor, you'll be a key player in driving progress forward. Join us and become the trusted force making positive changes in our city. Trust the Surveyor!

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced: You are skilled at accurately establishing or reestablishing property boundaries based on records, historical evidence, and current standards. You can seamlessly incorporate this expertise into mapping systems, blueprints, and legal documents.
• Knowledgeable: You have a thorough understanding of Boundary Control, legal principles, State Laws, and City Ordinances. This extends to collecting field data, using computers, and understanding complex geospatial concepts.
• Collaborative: You will work closely with different departments to ensure that the data you provide meets the needs of all department users reliant on the acquired data.
• Scholarly: You are devoted to studying the geographical context to grasp the impact of historical land surveying maps, evolving legislation such as the Subdivision Map Act, and the ramifications evident in case law.
• Dedicated: You are willing to put in the time and effort needed to make sure your work is accurate and reliable.
• Insightful: You possess a deep understanding of industry standards, state regulations, local ordinances, and a keen awareness of the perspectives of your colleagues.
• Purposeful: You approach your work with a clear goal, knowing that what you do has real significance and direction.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Collaborating with other city departments and divisions, such as City Engineering, Project Delivery, Sanitary Sewer, Planning, Building, and the City Attorney’s Office.
• Preparing legal documents like descriptions and maps needed for property deals, public records, and legal cases.
• Communicating with property owners, developers, government officials, and the public to address inquiries, provide information, and resolve disputes related to land surveying matters.
• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards governing land surveying activities.
• Accurately establishing and verifying property lines and boundaries within the city limits.
• Cultivating a growth mindset by fostering a culture of continuous learning, resilience, and adaptability, and encouraging mentees to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

Read the complete job description by clicking this ** link. ***Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Every day brings new challenges and projects, from boundary surveys to construction staking, ensuring that the job remains engaging and dynamic.
• You will collaborate with civil engineers, planners, developers, and other professionals, fostering teamwork and camaraderie in achieving project goals.
• You will be a part of preserving the City's history, in regards to surveying, which goes back 172 years.
• You will play a vital role in facilitating land development, infrastructure projects, and urban planning initiatives that benefit communities and improve quality of life.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You may face skepticism or mistrust from the public regarding property boundaries or survey results.
• You are faced with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as zoning ordinances and land use laws, which adds layers of complexity to surveying projects and requires meticulous attention to detail.
• You will be working with limited resources which may impact surveying equipment, training, and personnel.

Competencies Required:

• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Industry Monitoring: Grasping the external political, economic, competitive, and social factors affecting the industry
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Delegating: Sharing responsibility, authority, and accountability
• Leading Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions, functions, or teams
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives
• Strategic Thinking & Perspective: Evaluating immediate actions in context of achieving long range objectives

Minimum Requirements for Application

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or surveying AND thirty (30) hours of course work in supervision.

Experience: Four years of surveying experience of which two years must be comparable to Chief of Party in the City of Oakland.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements: Possession of a State of California certificate of registration as a Professional Land Surveyor or as a Professional Civil Engineer authorized to practice land surveying (issued prior to 1982).

Supplemental Information

The Recruitment Process:
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise, which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent to you for completion is late October.

For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What’s in it for you?

• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Briana Wong at BWong@oaklandca.gov.

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements

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