Assistant County Surveyor

Job Description:

Assistant County Surveyor

Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Assistant County Surveyor (LSIT): Grade 125 $75,250 - $101,225/annually (DOQ)
Assistant County Surveyor (PLS): Grade 127 $84,858 - $114,126/annually (DOQ)


NATURE OF WORK
Manages and performs a variety of land surveying assignments under the direction of the County Surveyor including, but not limited to: property research, surveying computations, the development of survey base maps, right-of-way plans, GIS mapping, Record of Survey (ROS), right-of-way and parcel descriptions with exhibit drawings for the preparation of deeds and easements.

The Assistant County Surveyor will be involved in coordinating surveying projects and in the direct oversite of one or more survey crews conducting right-of-way surveying, boundary surveying, cadastral surveying, geodetic surveying, topographic surveying, and construction surveying, involving the use of conventional and electronic survey measuring instruments including GPS, total stations, and differential levels.

Monument Preservation: The Assistant County Surveyor assists in the identification, management, maintenance and preservation of survey points and monuments. Comply with the Revised Code of Washington (RCWs) and the Washington Administrative Code (WACs) related to surveying standards and monument preservation.

Project Review: The Assistant County Surveyor assists with reviewing engineering design plans for county road projects, as well as development review, including detailed review of proposed short plats and major subdivisions.

The following duties are the fundamental, crucial job duties performed by this position. This is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that may be assigned. Incumbent may be required to perform other duties as assigned and appropriate for the position.

• Assists the County Surveyor with unusually critical or complex projects, and/or supervising and assisting with field work utilizing large parties.
• Assists the County Surveyor with coordinating and leading the work of several survey parties, County survey contracts, and office support staff in the accomplishment of control surveys, calculations, and related mapping and digital data entry into GIS to establish and maintain County property lines, boundaries and corners.
• Performs survey calculations and preparation of maps and plats.
• Researches legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
• Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
• Performs computation and platting of survey data and preparation of legal descriptions, related thereto.
• Assist the County Surveyor in writing legal descriptions for the purpose of land sales, exchanges, purchases, leases, etc., of County owned or acquired land.
• Assists the County Surveyor in planning, coordinating, directing or performing as party chief, the field work, research, calculations, and maps to be prepared to support the survey needs (i.e. Right-of-Way determinations, topographic surveys, construction staking, etc.) of the Public Works Department.
• Prepares legal descriptions and plat maps for right-of-way and maintenance of section and grid control; resets section corners as needed to preserve section control.
• Prepares or supervises preparation of all data, charts, plots, maps, records and documents related to surveys.
• Assists the County Surveyor in training and instructing staff as required; providing leadership, direction and guidance in technical processes and procedures.
• Computes geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.
• Serve as party chief in the field and coordinate the work of field survey crew.
• Operate a full range of survey equipment including electronic measuring devices and other technical surveying instruments and equipment.
• Maintain field notes of survey work performed; process survey information and generate drawings for various engineering and planning projects.
• Manages technical engineering/surveying databases; complies technical data from a variety of sources; edits and verifies data and updates database; performs quality control checks to ensure data integrity.
• Coordinates projects, activities, and information with other PWD staff, County Departments, contractors, and outside agencies.
• Assist in the condition inspection of County roads, bridges, and infrastructure as needed.
• Develops construction staking layout plans from approved engineering drawings.
• Works with the public and is a positive representative of the County.
• Performs other related work as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly/indirectly supervise a small team of employees in the Public Works department. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include mentoring and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints (internal and public) and resolving problems.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. Must have the ability to efficiently write in a neat and legible fashion, at times quickly while being dictated. The employee is often required to stand, walk, use hands to operate, handle, and feel, and to reach with hands and arms. The duties of this position require walking over uneven and/or steep terrain at times for multiple miles, sitting, stooping, climbing, pulling bending, reaching, twisting, and the ability to lift up to 75 lbs., with possible exposure to safety hazards and the use of dangerous tools and equipment (i.e. chain saws, weed eaters, machetes, sledgehammers, etc.), occasionally for extended periods of time. Requires finger dexterity, sense of touch, gripping with fingers and hands; ability to see, hear voice conversation, and to speak. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and extended exposure to computer monitors and office lighting.

Work is performed both in an office environment and outdoors with exposure to inclement weather. The employees will occasionally be exposed to outside conditions including; weather; traffic; construction sites; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This position also requires field work along rivers and streams that require specialized clothing, equipment and safety precautions.

On occasion the incumbent may be required to travel to meetings or remote work settings outdoors for short periods of time.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the fully qualified senior level in the Registered Engineer job series. Incumbents work directly with the County Surveyor to perform the full scope of land surveying duties, with extensive technical knowledge in a specific area of assignment. The County Surveyor will review all final work completed by the Assistant County Surveyor for final approval to place their seal or provide corrections and mentorship on how to find the solution.

QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED: Registration as a land surveyor in training (LSIT) in the State of Washington, or the ability to obtain an LSIT within 12 months of hire. Minimum six (6) years of surveying experience as the duties outlined above for this position or equivalent, with experience in municipal or highway surveying and design, topographical surveying, right-of-way surveying and construction surveying.

A valid Washington State Driver’s License is required

PREFERRED:Degree in Land Surveying/Geomatics. Licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS).

COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Behaviors)

Knowledge of:

• Land surveying and mapping principles, procedures and practices.
• Field surveying practices and techniques, including electronic total station, data collector, network control stations, and GPS/GNSS measuring equipment.
• Statutes, court decisions and other law pertaining to the establishment, locating, dividing and defining of corners, monuments, lines, and boundaries of land.
• Professional standards of land surveying and mapping.
• Computer skills and applications including, but not limited to: Autodesk Civil3D, Trimble Access, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Mathematics through calculus.
• Geodesy and state plane coordinates.
• OSHA safety rules and regulations and safety standards applicable to hazardous environments.

Skills in:

• Managing staff, delegating tasks and authority, and assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks and projects.
• Interpreting and applying engineering standards and procedures, Federal and State rules and regulations, and County policies and procedures.
• Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Publisher, Explorer, and PowerPoint
• Checking designs, details, plans, and specifications of engineering projects.
• Collecting, calculating, and adjusting mathematical computations such as distances, traverses, and elevations.
• Operating and maintaining complex precision surveying instruments, engineering calculators, and personal computers.
• Interpreting technical instructions and analyzing complex variables.
• Reading, understanding, developing, manipulating, and analyzing engineering information in a variety of computerized data formats.
• Working effectively with others to develop solutions for public works issues.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Maintaining software/firmware updates to survey equipment and data collectors.
• Establishing and maintain effective working relationship with other County employees, public officials, and representatives from other local, State, and Federal agencies.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

Ability to:

• Learn and follow County policies and procedures.

Behaviors:

• Regular, reliable attendance with minimal unplanned absences.
• A willingness to embrace change and grow personally, professionally, and as an organization.
• Earn trust and respect through clear communication, follow-through, taking ownership and maintaining confidentiality while providing professional services.
• Accept personal responsibility for work, actions, and words.
• Commit to the delivery of public services that will benefit the community and contribute to the well-being and quality of life for the citizens of Lewis County.
• Build constructive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.

Lewis County is an equal opportunity employer that provides access, free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, pregnancy, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by law in employment or provisions of services.

Health Insurance: We offer comprehensive medical coverage-including vision-along with dental and basic life insurance for employees and their families. Multiple medical plan options are available, so you can choose the coverage that best fits your needs.

Retirement Plans: Secure your future with enrollment in one of Washington State's Department of Retirement Systems programs: PERS, PSERS, or LEOFF. Both you and the County contribute to your retirement, ensuring long-term financial stability.

Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.

Longevity: We recognize and reward your dedication with additional monthly compensation for continuous service milestones.

Deferred Compensation: Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Please visit our Employee Benefits webpage for details: 2026 Benefits

Accommodations for All Applicants: If you need accommodations during the selection process, we’re here to help! Contact our Human Resources Department at (360) 740-2737 or [email protected] .

Closing Date/Time: 7/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$75,251.00 - $114,126.00 Annually