Chief of Party
Ebmud
Administration, Operations
Oakland, CA, USA
USD 10,771-13,194 / month
The Position
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Under the supervision of the Land Surveyor Supervisor and Assistant Land Surveyor Supervisors, the Chief of Party leads the work of survey crew members in addition to performing the more difficult surveying and computing work. The incumbent is assigned to the Construction Division’s Survey Section and will also perform related work as required.
Typical duties include:
• Planning, leading, documenting, and reviewing the daily activities of a field survey crew in conducting construction, property, control, and topographic surveys, along with other engineering surveys.
• Creating records of field measurements, sketches, reference points, land descriptions, computations, and construction staking notes.
• Reviewing maps, deeds, plans, and related data to determine the most efficient method of conducting survey projects; briefing crew members on survey objectives and procedures.
• Making complex calculations pertaining to boundary surveys, construction surveys, geodetic surveys and other types of surveys.
• Locating and identifying property markers, control points, and construction reference points.
• Setting up, operating and transferring data to and from surveying instruments such as GNSS receivers, Robotic Total Stations (RTS), digital levels and laser scanners.
• Contacting private property owners regarding surveys being conducted across their property lines.
• Conferring with survey supervisors, resident engineers and contractor representatives regarding field changes in construction surveys.
• Training and instructing crew members in surveying methods, procedures and practices, and in the proper use and care of survey instruments and equipment.
• Assisting in searching records and compiling data for field crews. Performing or checking difficult survey calculations in the office and reviewing completed job records and resolving discrepancies as required.
The most competitive candidates will have the following:
• Knowledge of the Land Surveyor’s Act, the Subdivision Map Act, the California Coordinate System, photogrammetric mapping procedures, property boundary determination, and legal description writing.
• Knowledge of plans, standards, policies, and procedures for engineering design, right of way acquisition and construction as they relate to surveys.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately, seek input where appropriate, and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively lead crew members while fostering a teamwork environment.
• Strong leadership and people skills. Proven ability to make technical presentations to groups and individuals including co-workers, customers, contractors, and the public.
• Effective communication skills in writing, preparing concise and accurate field notes, survey reports, correspondence and memos for a variety of audiences including staff, government and regulatory agencies, contractors, and the public.
The salary range is $10,771 per month increasing to $11,310, $11,876, $12,470 and $13,094 after 6, 18, 30, and 42 months, respectively.
EBMUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, marital or registered domestic partnership status, age for individuals age forty or older, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical), medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veterans status, family or medical leave status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical condition), pregnancy disability leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and other categories protected by federal, state and/or local laws.
Requirements
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1. Completion of the twelfth grade or its equivalent, including or supplemented by a course in trigonometry, and
2. Two years of journey-level surveying experience at a level comparable to or higher than EBMUD’s class of Survey Technician II.
3. A valid California Land Surveyor-in-Training (LSIT) certificate is required.
4. A valid California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.
Must be willing to work outdoors under a variety of geographic and climatic conditions, and around various outdoor hazards such as poison oak and ticks .Must possess physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the class. May be required on a scheduled basis to be clean shaven as required to wear respiratory protection equipment. Must be willing to work overtime as needed.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. To be considered under the “equivalent combination of education and experience” provision, it is your responsibility to include in your application materials written evidence of employment performed at the level of the typical duties of this position and/or coursework in subject areas directly related to this position. For more information, see our FAQ page at http://www.ebmud.com/jobs/job-resources/job-faqs-frequently-asked-questions/.
The Selection Process
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1. Submit a completed EBMUD application and the required supplemental question responses online at www.ebmud.com by 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 12, 2026. Only application materials submitted online during the filing period will be accepted.
2. Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test part in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.
3. All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, with those candidates receiving a passing score to be invited to a panel interview.
4. Successful candidates will be placed on the hiring list, based on rank, for further consideration to fill the current regular vacancy, as well as others occurring over the next 12 to 24 months.
5. The probation period for this position is 12 months. For those holding civil service status the probation period is 6 months.
6. All employment offers are conditional, pending the results of a Live Scan background screening. All selected finalists must participate in the Live Scan background screening process to remain in consideration for EBMUD employment.
Supplemental Information
As the first step in the selection process, responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted online with the regular EBMUD application. Please provide thorough, accurate descriptions of assignments you have personally performed. Should you respond with comments such as "see application" or "see resume" instead of addressing the questions directly, your application may not be considered.