Exam Bulletin - Supervising Land Surveyor

State of California

Exam Code: EX-2839

Examination Plans Included:

  • SUPERVISING LAND SURVEYOR - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

SUPERVISING LAND SURVEYOR: $13,223.00 - $15,022.00 per Month

View the SUPERVISING LAND SURVEYOR classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • SUPERVISING LAND SURVEYOR - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

    2839

For SUPERVISING LAND SURVEYOR, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02839

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00103050 - SUPERVISING LAND SURVEYOR

Possession of a valid California Land Surveyor's license. (A Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors prior to January 1, 1982, satisfies this requirement.) (Applicants who do not possess the required license or certificate will be admitted into the examination, but must secure the license or certificate prior to appointment.)

and

Either 1

Two years of experience performing duties equivalent to a Senior Land Surveyor in the California state service.

Or 2

Broad and extensive (more than five years) land surveying experience, three years of which would include supervising a major program element of a large surveying operation equivalent in responsibility to the Senior Land Surveyor level in the California state service.

Position Description

00103050 - SUPERVISING LAND SURVEYOR

This is the managerial level of the series. Within the largest surveying programs, incumbents, under administrative direction, plan, organize and direct land, photogrammetry and right of way surveying projects, and provide expert advice to top management on the most critical and complex land photogrammetry and right of way surveying projects. This level will function as the Chief Surveyor for a department or as head of surveys in large districts of large departments (i.e., Caltrans).

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for optimal performance when accessing the examination.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Fundamental surveying, mathematics, and basic science as applied to surveying 
  2. Methods of precise survey measuring 
  3. Use and adjustment of precision surveying instruments 
  4. Procedures, equipment, and materials used in surveying, including conventional and state-of-the-art 
  5. Mapping and drafting techniques 
  6. Mathematics and procedures used in plane and geodetic surveying 
  7. Computer applications and usage 
  8. The California Coordinate System 
  9. Code of Safe Surveying Practices 
  10. Photogrammetric mapping procedures
  11. Principles and practices of boundary determination, land title research and surveying 
  12. Legal descriptions of real property 
  13. Methods and terminology used in searching for land titles and factors involved in determining ownership of property 
  14. Real property acquisition and mapping laws pertaining to public and private ownership of real property 
  15. Monumentation of facilities 
  16. Factors which influence the impact of departmental projects on property and basic net 
  17. Right of way engineering projects 
  18. Planning, design, construction and right of way procedures and policies as they relate to surveys
  19. The Land Surveyors' Act, Subdivision Map Act and other statutes related to land surveying 
  20. Departmental plans, standards, policies and procedures for planning, design, right of way and construction as they relate to surveys 
  21. Methods, equipment and materials used in the surveying and mapping of State facilities 
  22. Computers and state-of-the-art surveying and related equipment
  23. Principles of effective communications and supervision 
  24. A supervisor's role in safety, health and labor relations and the processes available to meet these program objectives 
  25. Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives 
  26. A manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives
  27. All phases of surveying performed by the Departments
  28. Principles, techniques of personnel management and supervision
  29. Purposes, organization, policies and procedures of the Departments 
  30. System planning 
  31. Surveying economics 
  32. Factors which influence the impact of the Department's facilities on the environment, the community and the economy 
  33. Processes and methods of accomplishing plane, geodetic and photogrammetric surveying and mapping
  34. Computers and precision surveying instruments (conventional and state-of-the-art)
Ability to:
  1. Perform the less complex field and office surveying work 
  2. Make precise survey measurements 
  3. Interpret legal descriptions of real property 
  4. Make and interpret the less difficult survey calculations 
  5. Apply and utilize the principles of the California Coordinate System 
  6. Research, analyze, check and adjust survey data 
  7. Research and compile evidence and documentation for boundary determination 
  8. Assist in the planning, directing and coordinating the work of a group of survey or right of way engineering personnel 
  9. Do mapping and drafting 
  10. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action 
  11. Prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence 
  12. Write property descriptions and prepare legal land documents and descriptions 
  13. Operate precise surveying instruments (conventional and state-of-the-art) 
  14. Establish and maintain friendly, business-like relations with those contacted in the course of the work 
  15. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
  16. Perform complex field and office surveying work 
  17. Make and interpret difficult survey calculations
  18. Plan and direct the work of a survey party 
  19. Make necessary corrections and/or revisions to construction plans, under direction of the Resident Engineer, when required to meet field conditions and/or comply with policies and standards 
  20. Plan and direct the work of a staff engaged in survey and right of way engineering office work 
  21. Plan and direct the work of a staff engaged in resolution of legal property descriptions 
  22. Prepare and coordinate the preparation of appraisal maps, deeds and interpretation of legal property descriptions 
  23. Prepare clear and comprehensive reports and technical correspondence 
  24. Review the work of others for compliance with legal requirements, policies and specifications 
  25. Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action 
  26. Effectively contribute to the departmental safety, health and labor relations objectives 
  27. Effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives
  28. Evaluate computer hardware and software utilized in land surveying 
  29. Evaluate land survey equipment
  30. Plan and direct the work of staff assigned to a variety of surveying related projects in surveys and/or right of way engineering
  31. Administer surveying programs 
  32. Plan and direct the work of others 
  33. Judge work quality and performance 
  34. Evaluate the applicability, apply and direct the use of computers and precision surveying instruments (conventional and state-of-the-art) 
  35. Prepare technical correspondence and complete, comprehensive reports 
  36. Prepare articles for publication 
  37. Address an audience effectively

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the SUPERVISING LAND SURVEYOR Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 24 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Supervising Land Surveyor Training and Experience Exam Preview

Instructions:
Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples. Also, indicate the references who can verify the information provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education, training, and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. Possession of specific education is not required to be successful in this examination; however, such achievements may substitute for desirable levels of experience. All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

  1. Providing technical expertise and recommendations to staff and/or outside agencies on complex issues within any of these disciplines: land, photogrammetric, utility, and/or right of way surveying.
  2. Implementing processes and procedures for land, photogrammetric, utility, and/or right of way surveying.
  3. Reviewing various complex land, photogrammetric, utility, and/or right of way documents from staff and/or outside agencies to ensure work is completed according to organizational, industry, federal, state, and local standards.
  4. Interpreting and analyzing the most difficult or critical land title documents to ensure adherence to organizational, industry, federal, state, and local standards.
  5. Delegating and assigning work to staff based on program needs, staff workload levels, and individual expertise to ensure work is completed on-time and according to organizational, industry, federal, state, and local standards.
  6. Providing feedback to staff (e.g., performance reviews) to identify areas of excellence, competence, and deficiencies.
  7. Reviewing and submitting reports summarizing the findings and conclusions of a study or a project to present to management and/or other stakeholders.
  8. Overseeing outside parties contracted with your organization to ensure work performed meets organizational, industry, local, federal, and state standards.
  9. Managing contracts by reviewing and approving invoices and tracking expenditures to ensure contracts and agreements are managed in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
  10. Apprising management and other stakeholders of current operational status, elevated risks, and identifying any impacts that may prevent meeting goals and objectives.
  11. Ensuring adherence to workplace safety practices in accordance with state and federal regulatory requirements and organizational and industry standards.
  12. Performing hiring and onboarding activities (e.g., screening, interviewing, probation reports) to fill positions.
  13. Assisting in the development of annual budgets to ensure proper funding and allocation of resources.
  14. Drafting letters, memos, emails, and other correspondence for the purpose of communicating and disseminating information.

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)