Transportation Surveyor

Job Description and Duties

Why Choose Us : At DWR, we believe in doing land surveying the way it was meant to be — with purpose, precision, and pride. Our work goes beyond boundaries — both literally and professionally — as we conduct high-level research, thorough field surveys, and detailed analysis that you can stand behind.

As a DWR surveyor, you’ll work on a team with state-of-the-art technology, including UAVs, bathymetric boats, LiDAR, GNSS, and robotic total stations. Whether you're out in the field or analyzing data in the office, you'll be trusted to make informed decisions and apply your expertise in meaningful ways.

What sets us apart? The chance to work in some of California’s most beautiful and dynamic landscapes — from tranquil reservoirs to major rivers and aqueducts — all while supporting essential water delivery projects that serve over 26 million people and contribute to environmental protection and species conservation.

We're deeply invested in your success. With access to ongoing training, professional development, organizational memberships, and guidance from experienced, licensed professionals, you'll have everything you need to advance your skills and make a real impact.

Check out the Duties and Desirable Qualifications below and apply to be part of a team that values your skills, supports your goals, and helps shape California’s water future.

Duties : Actual assigned duties will be commensurate with skill level. In this position, the incumbent works under the direction of the Senior Land Surveyor and is responsible for performing professional work of average difficulty. The incumbent will determine ownership boundaries along with deed and map preparation. The incumbent will work with a computer-aided design and mapping system to make calculations and prepare maps along with keeping title records, reports, and vesting documents, and other related documents. The incumbent will work with GIS and ESRI products for map/exhibit creation.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.

The Department of Water Resources is committed to its mission and employees, and we are grounded in our commitment to public safety. Regular, consistent, and predictable attendance is essential to the successful performance in this position.

A valid California Driver's License is necessary to drive personal, state, or rental vehicles on public roadways. Graduation from a four-year curriculum in surveying, surveying engineering, or surveying geomatics accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology. Range D of this classification requires active California registration as a Professional Land Surveyor.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Candidates will be evaluated based on their relative ability as demonstrated by the quality and extent of their experience. Therefore, our ideal candidate’s application and resume will clearly and concisely address as many of the following desirable qualifications as possible: candidate has knowledge and experience with computer-aided design and mapping system to make calculations and prepare maps; experience preparing legal descriptions, deeds, and both researching and analyzing ownership records, title reports, maps of record, survey notes, vesting documents for boundary determination; experience with ArcMap, ArcPro, and other related GIS elements for database maintenance and exhibit creation; can communicate and write well; is detail and quality oriented; can perform on multiple tasks and projects at the same time; is organized; goes the extra mile to meet deadlines and is conscientious of budgets; is dependable; and has computer skills in spreadsheets, surveying computer programs, MS office 365 and other related software, along with the ability to learn new computer applications; Professional Land Surveyor in Training certificate from the State of CA preferred but not required.

Benefits

to read about some of the benefits available to eligible employees.

Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit .

Special Instructions

All interested applicants must submit a Standard State Application (Std. 678), resume, cover letter and a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Reference the SAP Position #50001243 and Job Control #512454 on your application, resume and SOQ. Failure to provide requested documents and information may result in automatic disqualification from the hiring process. A resume is required but does not take the place of the SOQ.

The SOQ is a separate one-page minimum and 3 page maximum in length, single spaced with normal margins, and in Arial Font 12 document that addresses the candidate’s education and experience as it relates to the duties listed in this job advertisement. The SOQ should be properly labeled and include your name, SAP Position number and Job Control Number.

You are not required to be on an eligibility list at the time you apply for this position. Simply submit your application today using the provided instructions. List eligibility will eventually be required, however, prior to hiring.

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, SROA/Surplus, and training and development assignment.

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - Cover Letter
• Statement of Qualifications - See Special Instructions for additional details.