New York State Department of Civil Service
Division of Classification & Compensation
Tentative Classification Standard
Occ. Code 5150202
Assistant Land Surveyor 2, Grade 13 5150202
Assistant Land Surveyor 3, Grade 16 5150203
Land Surveyor, Grade 20 5150300
Senior Land Surveyor, Grade 24 5150400
Brief Description of Class Series
Land Surveyors conduct measurements of space, water, land and structures to determine boundaries, areas, elevations, alignments, and locations; evaluate and analyze field data; and research public and private land records. Incumbents survey the boundaries of State land and are involved in title research and investigation in connection with the administrative management, acquisition, trespass, occupancy and adverse claim of title, and in hydrographic and engineering surveys connected with the enforcement of environmental quality regulations, prosecution of violations, management of State fishery resources and development of State lands.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Assistant Land Surveyor 2: entry level; records, produces and processes survey data; and assists in determining property line and highway boundary locations.
Assistant Land Surveyor 3: performs more difficult survey tasks; and supervises and trains field crews.
Land Surveyor: full performance and first supervisory level; exercises professional judgment on complex highway or state land boundary determinations; and supervises and provides technical direction to staff.
Senior Land Surveyor; advanced performance and second supervisory level; exercises independent professional judgment as an expert on complex highway or state land boundary determinations; and provides administrative supervision, professional guidance, and technical direction.
Related Classes
Engineering Technicians assist field and office engineering and higher-level engineering technician staff by performing technical duties in support of engineers, or construction or engineering programs.
Drafting Technicians trace and copy finished drawings and make drawings of equipment, structures, and facilities involving easily visualized details which fit familiar patterns. Technicians select and utilize appropriate drafting tools, instruments, and materials and follow accepted drafting procedures and methods. Incumbents work under the supervision and direction of higher-level technicians, engineers or architects who provide detailed instructions on new or unusual assignments including scale and other information needed to complete the assignment, with specific reference to appropriate technical materials and similar drawings done in the past.
Landscape Architects perform professional activities, requiring specialized training and experience, to plan and design landscape development and site improvement projects, select materials, estimate costs, prepare environmental analysis and reports, and supervise the construction and maintenance of the landscape for transportation facilities, buildings, parks, historic sites, and other facilities. Aesthetics, the architectural and natural environment, environmental impact, and the multiple functions and uses of facilities are significant factors in their work.
Illustrative Tasks
Assistant Land Surveyor 2
Investigates and examines the evidence of real property locations in the field.
Makes precise field measurements by operating modern terrestrial, geodetic surveying, and geographic positioning system instruments.
Plots survey results to create detailed base mapping; and assists with work zone safety.
Assists with the research of records relating to the ownership and location of real property.
Prepares survey maps for acquiring and managing state interest in real property and/or prepares digital terrain models and base mapping for the design of capital projects.
Assistant Land Surveyor 3
Performs investigation of field evidence for real property locations.
Performs more difficult surveying tasks for processing, balancing, and transforming horizontal and vertical control.
Supervises and trains field crews in the operation of modern terrestrial, geodetic surveying, geographic positioning system instruments, proper field survey procedures, and work zone safety.
Assists in determining property line and highway boundary locations.
Prepares survey maps for acquiring and managing state interest in real property.
May plan and schedule work assignments for specific projects, and research records relating to the ownership and location of real property.
Land Surveyor
Exercises professional judgment on complex highway or state land boundary determinations.
Assists in the establishment of standards and procedures utilized in surveying and in the pursuit of technological advances.
Manages project priorities, staff, work schedules, and consultant services to deliver the land surveying program.
Ensures quality control of survey related products and data integrity.
Provides direct supervision and technical direction of field and/or office staff and provides guidance and direction to survey consultants.
Signs and seals survey maps.
May assist the Attorney Generals Office in case preparation and testify as an expert witness, including preparation of legal descriptions in reference to a deed(s).
Senior Land Surveyor
Exercises independent professional judgment as an expert on complex highway or state land boundary determinations.
Establishes standards and procedures utilized in surveying and pursues technological and procedural advances that would increase the efficiency of operations.
Sets policy for the use of photogrammetry, the balancing and processing of
field data, and interpretation of New York State Laws.
Manages the project schedule priorities and staff or consultant resources that are necessary to produce the land surveying program and ensure quality assurance of survey related products.
Provides administrative supervision, professional guidance, and technical direction to staff.
Signs and seals survey maps.
Assists the Attorney Generals Office in case preparation and testifies as an expert witness.
Minimum Qualifications
Assistant Land Surveyor 2
Open Competitive: two years of experience in land surveying that includes conducting measurements of space, water, land and structures to determine boundaries, areas, elevations, alignments, volumes, and locations and performing evaluation and analysis of field data and researching public and private land records; OR an associates degree or higher in a related field.
Assistant Land Surveyor 3
Promotion: One year of service as an Assistant Land Surveyor 2.
Open Competitive: four years of experience in land surveying that included conducting measurements of space, water, land and structures to determine boundaries, areas, elevations, alignments, volumes, and locations and performing evaluation and analysis of field data and researching public and private land records.
Substitution: an associates degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two years of experience.
Land Surveyor
Promotion: One year of service as either an Assistant Land Surveyor 2, or Assistant Land Surveyor 3 and a New York State Surveyors license and current registration.
Open Competitive: Possession of a New York State Land Surveyors License with current registration.
Senior Land Surveyor
Promotion: One year of service as either a Land Surveyor; or Assistant Land Surveyor 3 and a New York State Surveyors license and current registration.
Open Competitive: Possession of a New York State Land Surveyors License with current registration and three years of post-licensure experience in Land Surveying.
Note: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent, and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum requirements for appointment or examination.
6/2020
MK