Chief of Survey

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

To all prospective candidates for this position. The City of Newton has implemented a Vaccine Policy which requires, as a condition of employment, that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or have an approved medical or religious exemption on file with the Human Resources Department, before they begin employment with the City of Newton.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays.
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees

Job Description

Primary purpose:

The Chief of Survey is responsible for managing a team engaged in conducting preliminary and final field surveys, the recording of measurements observed, the preparation of topographic surfaces, existing site plans and conceptual design drawings utilizing Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) software. Position schedules, prioritizes, coordinates, executes, and develops plans to ensure that all gathered and/or layout information critical to the needs of proper engineering design, costs estimating practices, presents to all concerned parties, a complete, accurate picture of the subject project locus. Position selects and defines physical attributes within the project locus to generate a detailed, accurate and comprehensive graphical representation. Position is responsible for creating a high-quality informational base which is consistent with proper municipal utility management and engineering practice, policies, and procedures.

Supervision:

Supervision Received: Position reports to and works under the general direction of the City Engineer, Director of Engineering, or designee, operating with minimal supervision. Operates in accordance with applicable state and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures, requiring the ability to plan and perform operations to independently complete assigned tasks according to a prescribed time schedule. Incumbent plans and prioritizes work in accordance with standard procedures and previous training and is expected to solve problems by adapting methods or interpreting instructions. Instructions for new assignments or special projects usually consist of statement of desired objectives, deadline or priorities. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with the supervisor, but ordinarily the employee plans and performs work independently.

Supervision Given: Position will be responsible for managing the Engineering Survey Crew and others as required. Responsible for training, assisting, assigning, and reviewing the work of all subordinates.

Essential Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Assists, directs, instructs, trains, and checks staff engaged in the recording of measurements of City and other projects including location survey, construction stakeout for site plans, water and sewer drains, drainage systems and other municipal projects; assigns and manages survey work crew(s) activities and checks work in progress.

Inputs field information gathered into computer to develop AutoCAD drawings (base maps) representing a “picture” of the surveyed parcel; calculates angles, distances, mass and other points/factors, documents field adjustments.

Coordinates, engages in, and compiles all survey research material for the purpose of combining and integrating new and existing information into one comprehensive graphical and/or annotated format; creates final analysis of existing conditions and/or the high-definition profile, upon which all-future project designs and/or permanent records will be based.

Utilizes CADD to combine the various fragments of existing records into a single comprehensive overview of the project locus, in order to define and recover all existing field monumentation and/or physical structure attributes (i.e. water, sewer, drain, building, etc.), that are subsequently used to analyze the validity of their true x, y, and z coordinate positions, in order to establish a “balanced” baseline and benchmark system that will serve both as a quality, as well as a quantity control medium, for the project at hand and for all future projects as well.

Extracts and utilizes Geographical Information Systems (GIS) base plans to prepare, edit and draw (digitally and/or manually) charts, and plots the various physical features of the project locus as the field operation commences, and/or utilize this medium to prepare specialized maps for citizen committee, consultant groups and/or administrative presentations.

Utilizes electronic data collection to direct and coordinate the mobilization of field activities, directly engages in the initial set-up, and thereafter assures and/or takes a direct role in, on a continual basis, the collection and down-loading of information and the follow through of the many various research, field, and/or plotting activities to chart and render a complete and comprehensive CADD plan of the project locus.

Extracts plan information and diligently and/or manually plots high-definition profiles.

Maintains and updates schedules, directories, and indexes and provides a written and electronic database for all survey related work.

Maintains an array of electronic equipment and field-related gear; maintains an adequate inventory of supplies, prepares purchase orders accordingly.

Meets in the field with various citizen groups to discuss, define, schedule, coordinate, and/or to provide aid, insight, and resolution of special project related activities, which are both survey and engineering dependent.

Prepares and/or maintains records of work performed or other data reports as required.

Makes periodic checks of construction work for conformance in specification and survey points.

Maintains established quality and quantity control standards; detects and reports improper operation(s), faulty equipment, defective materials, and unusual conditions; ensures work area(s) and equipment are maintained in a clean, orderly, and safe operating condition, that prescribed safety measures are followed, that established City and department, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations are adhered to.

Utilizes the EPA’s Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) Accounting and Tracking Tool (BATT) tracking system to track and report for nutrient load reductions, in coordination with the Environmental Engineer. Ensures that information being entered is accurate and complete. Meets with city-hired contractors to ensure proper installation of systems.

Manages and oversees others in the implementation of the city’s electronic permitting system software as it relates to the Department of Public Works. Provides training to Engineering Division and other DPW staff. Edits and modifies independent program platforms to adjust to system requirements. Maintains, creates, edits and tracks all DPW application record types on city software.

Responds to residents, Councilors, and city department issues/concerns relative to private and public construction. Meets with residents, consultants as well as other city departments to resolve issues.

Assists with site plan reviews as required.

Attends and participates in staff, and other meetings, conferences, and seminars; maintains contacts to keep abreast of developments in the field or areas of interest or expertise.

Assists in reviews and comments on submitted Approval Not Required Plans (ANR Plans), and Subdivision Plans filed with the Board of Survey.

Assists with engineering design by creating surface base maps using field topographic survey information.

Performs other duties as directed by the City Engineer, Director of Engineering or designee.

Qualifications:

(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. We encourage all candidates who feel they are capable of successfully performing the responsibilities as outlined in this position description, regardless of the qualifications listed below to apply.)

Education, Training, and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or Land Surveying, or equivalent, from four-year college or technical school preferred; and/or a minimum of five years related experience and/or training; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Must have management experience, including supervising field and office personnel. Knowledge of civil engineering technology, administrative office procedures and the operation of office equipment such as personal computers and computer software. Municipal experience is desirable, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

A strong commitment to public service required.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge. Knowledge of specific department operations including civil and/or construction engineering technology and a basic understanding of survey techniques (both field and office). Strong organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure. Proficient knowledge of office practices and procedures.

Ability. Position requires the ability to comprehend the scope of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to specialty area. Ability to work effectively under time constraints to meet deadlines. Ability to deal appropriately with the general public and City departments in an effective manner. Ability to learn quickly and maintain a departmental sense of urgency.

Skills. Technical writing skills as well as effective oral communication, and presentational skills. Strong analytical, problem solving and trouble shooting skills. Expertise and skill in using personal computers, word processing, database and spreadsheet applications. Excellent customer service skills.

Job Environment:

Work requires examining, analyzing, and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations, or transactions and determining actions to be taken or recommended, within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision-making. Employee is responsible for evaluating compliance with established standards, criteria and determining the methods to accomplish the work.

Will have contact with the general public, other town departments and officials, outside agencies, businesses, vendors, and other governmental organizations and attorneys.

Must have a current and valid Massachusetts Class D driver’s license.

Physical requirements

(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Regularly required to use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, equipment, machinery or controls, and reach with hands and arms as in picking up/accessing paper, files, and other common office objects as well as equipment and supplies relating to programs and needs at the Department of Public Works. Lifts and/or moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Manually operates all office equipment and other necessary equipment. Needs to operate a computer keyboard at an efficient speed.

Performance Standard

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.