Class Code: 04326

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –

HUMAN RESOURCES ENTERPRISE

SURVEY PARTY CHIEF

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, oversees the activities of an engineering survey party engaged in the gathering of data used in the planning and/or design of highways and other State construction projects; performs related work as required.

The Work Examples and Competencies listed are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.

WORK EXAMPLES

Assists a supervisor by performing, in accordance with set procedures, policies, and standards, such duties as instructing employees about tasks, answering questions about procedures and policies, distributing and balancing the workload and checking work; may make occasional suggestions on appointments, promotions, and reassignments.

Prepares or reviews reports relating to payroll, property damage vouchers, expense claims, and weekly and monthly work activities.

Assists in the training of lower level technicians in the use of surveying instruments and land surveying procedures and techniques.

Directs the work of a party of technicians to determine drainage area boundaries and areas for project structures by studying and interpreting aerial photographs, walking drainage areas, measuring with a planimeter, and performing standard calculations or by obtaining the information when available from the county engineer's office.

Operates survey instruments such as transits, levels, total stations, data collectors, planimeters, and theodolites in the more difficult stages of surveys such as laying out spiral curves and difficult transverses.

Records data gathered by survey party such as topography (transit notes), cross section (elevation notes), benchmark (level notes), etc, in electronic survey data collectors, and survey field books; edits and evaluates survey data on a computer.

Contacts landowners and obtains permission to enter the property to collect information related to the survey such as high water levels, location of tile lines, wells, section corners, etc.

Contacts utility companies and local government officials to obtain information regarding the location of water, phone, gas, and power lines.

Draws profiles and plats from field notes for use in writing legal descriptions of land acquisitions.

Makes mathematical, algebraic, and trigonometric calculations to compute horizontal and vertical curves, calculate drainage areas, close survey configurations.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Knowledge of engineering survey principles and practices.

Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of survey instruments such as transits, levels, total stations, data collectors, planimeters, and theodolites.

Knowledge of standard safety procedures required in survey work.

Knowledge of agency policies and procedures such as expenditures, recordkeeping reimbursement of travel expenditures, purchase of materials and supplies, etc.

Knowledge of information sources used to determine land ownership and location of telephone and power cables, water and gas mains, and other appurtenances.

Knowledge of mathematics including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

Ability to read and understand engineering plans, aerial photographs, plats, etc.

Ability to operate survey instruments including transits, levels, total stations, data collectors, planimeters, and theodolites.

Ability to edit and check field survey information on a computer.

Ability to accurately and legibly record field survey notes.

Ability to inspect the completed and in-progress survey work of lower level technicians for accuracy, compliance with standards, and other related criteria.

Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.

Ability to accurately draw profiles and plats by using field notes.

Displays high standards of ethical conduct. Exhibits honesty and integrity. Refrains from theft-related, dishonest or unethical behavior.

Works and communicates with internal and external clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner. Committed to quality service.

Displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Works with minimal supervision. Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention to detail.

Responds appropriately to supervision. Makes an effort to follow policy and cooperate with supervisors.

Aligns behavior with the needs, priorities and goals of the organization.

Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity. Fosters commitment and team spirit.

Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information. Listens to others and responds appropriately.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The equivalent of four years of full-time engineering survey experience which included the operation of electronic and mechanical survey instruments;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting the equivalent of thirty semester hours of college, university, or technical school course work in civil engineering, construction engineering, or photogrammetry for one year of the required experience with a maximum substitution of four years;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes the equivalent of twelve months of full-time experience as an Assistant Survey Party Chief.

NOTE:

Requires extensive travel throughout the State of Iowa. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.

Effective Date: 6/94 DK