Land Surveyor (Right-of-Way/Utility Specialist)

As a Right-of-Way and Utility Specialist, you will secure the land rights necessary to build infrastructure for National Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Refuges. Since the 1900s, Federal Lands Highway has delivered innovative transportation solutions in complex, unique environments. Join our team and make a difference! Learn more: https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/careers. We work where you play!

Qualifications:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or specialized experience requirements. 

To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience,  you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:

• Experience researching land records, such as deeds, tax records, and chain of titles, to determine initial boundary locations and ownership.
• Experience utilizing Computer-Aided-Drafting and Design (CADD) software to develop right-of-way plans and preparing property descriptions using methods such as the Public Land Survey System, metes and bounds, or station and offsets. 
• Experience assisting in locating utilities, identifying utility conflicts, and drafting utility agreements in conformance with applicable policies and guidelines.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

• Experience performing computations of field survey data to reconcile field evidence with recorded documents to develop legally supportable boundary maps, plats, and plans.
• Experience providing professional advice regarding the location of boundaries, interpretation of documents that vest real property interests, and liability for the cost of relocating utilities. 
• Experience applying the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (Uniform Act) and evaluating real property appraisals to ensure acquisition projects are developed in compliance with federal regulations.

You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Surveying - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods used in the measurement or determination of land boundaries, distances, elevations, areas, angles, and other features of the earth’s surface.  
• Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.  
• Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.  
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Responsibilities:

As a Right of Way and Utility Specialist, you will: 

• Research various land records such as deeds, tax records, and chain of titles to determine initial boundary locations and ownership of public and private lands and utilities. Analyze boundary evidence and reconcile field evidence with recorded documents to develop legally supportable boundary maps, plats, and plans. 
• Use Computer-Aided-Drafting and Design (CADD) software to develop right-of-way plans that show new and existing right-of-way boundaries relative to existing parcel boundaries. Prepare property descriptions using appropriate methods such as Public Land Survey System rectangular grid, metes and bounds, and station and offsets. 
• Facilitate locating utilities, identify conflicts, define liability for the cost of relocating utilities, and prepare utility agreements in conformance with law, policies, manuals, guidelines, standard practice, and industry best practices.
• Support local agencies, State Departments of Transportation (DOT), and Federal agencies in acquisition of real property.

The ideal candidate for this position is a mid-to-senior career land surveyor with extensive right-of-way and utility coordination experience for transportation improvement projects, including interpretation and application of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (Uniform Act) and other applicable laws.    

Salary : $83,265