Duties Description The Professional Land Surveyor 1 (PLS-1) position reports to the Regional Real Property Supervisor and assists in the management of administrative matters and land acquisition projects in the northern part of Region 5. The incumbent will be responsible for directing the land surveying unit, including supervision of survey staff, seasonal staff, certification of maps, and defense of State-owned lands. This position emphasizes quality control and technical direction, ensuring the integrity of survey related products while also providing expert testimony in land survey matters.
A PLS-1 position in the Adirondack Mountains offers a unique combination of professional, lifestyle and personal benefits. Key advantages include:
1. Professional Opportunities:
• Diverse and Challenging Projects: The Adirondack Mountains encompass diverse terrains, including forests, mountains, lakes and wetlands. Surveying in this area requires you to have expertise in navigating and working in varied landscapes, which will enhance your technical skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Environmental Conservation: The Adirondack Park is a protected area with a mix of public and private lands. Surveying for DEC involves working on projects that are part of long-term environmental conservation initiatives administered by DEC such as the 30X30 Initiative, Open Space Plan, and Forest Legacy Plan.
2. Lifestyle Benefits
• Scenic Work Environment: You’ll spend your days in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the Northeast, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, fresh air and wildlife.
• Outdoor Lifestyle: If you enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, skiing or other outdoor activities, living and working in the Adirondacks offers unparalleled access to recreational opportunities.
• Tranquility and Quality of Life: The region is know for its slower pace of life, low population density, and close-knit communities, which can offer a more peaceful and fulfilling lifestyle.
Duties:
- Conduct and supervise others in surveying and marking forest land boundaries.
- Research and recover of historic boundary lines and monuments.
- Exercise independent professional judgment on complex or State land boundary determinations.
- Manage project priorities, staff, work schedules, and consultant services to deliver the land surveying program in Region 5.
- Establish standards and procedures utilized in gathering survey data.
- Pursue technological and procedural advances to increase efficiency of operations.
- Ensure quality control of survey related products and data integrity.
- Provide direct supervision and technical direction of field and/or office staff and provide guidance and direction to survey consultants.
-Sign, seal and certify survey maps.
- Assist the Office of General Counsel and the Attorney General in case preparation including preparation of legal descriptions in reference to deed(s) for new acquisitions and title investigations.
- Testify as an expert witness in defense of the Lands of the People of the State of New York.
- Responsible for maintenance of land title and survey records.
- Will be required to walk through dense woods and swamps carrying survey equipment.
Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
To be eligible for appointment under NY HELPS, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications below:
Promotion: Possession of a New York State Land Surveyor’s license and current registration and one year of service as an Assistant Land Surveyor.
Open Competitive: Possession of a New York State Land Surveyor’s license and current Registration.
Candidates may also be appointed via the following:
Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC.
Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis.
Transfer Eligible - One year of permanent competitive service at Salary Grade 22 or higher and eligible for transfer in accordance with Civil Service law.
Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge and experience with snowshoes, skies, snowmobiles and small motorboats is preferred.