Survey Engineer II and III

Full Job Description

King County Road Services Division is seeking two positions in the Survey Unit: 1) Survey Engineer II and 2) Senior Survey Engineer III.

In these roles, the successful candidates will provide professional surveying and mapping services for Roads projects in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and other county agencies, including preliminary surveys for roads, flood control projects and building sites.

If you have a passion for civil engineering and enjoy working with a team that encourages and embraces diversity, come work with us!

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social JusticeThe Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work.

Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve.

Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases.

We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.The King County Road Services Division designs, builds, operates, and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County.

The Division is committed to ensuring the county's transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel.

To learn more about the Road Services Division, visit us at: About the Road Services Division - King County, Washington

Requirements

Survey Engineer II Job Duties:

• Oversee survey crew activities; direct the survey crew on procedures for the day.
• Conduct various types of surveys including GPS, property, legal, boundary, topographic, hydrographic, control and construction surveys.
• Layout centerline alignment staking, rights-of-way and slope easement staking, slope staking, blue tops, bridge control, and reference points for related construction layout.
• Use AutoCAD software to produce detailed survey maps for use in engineering design, contract documents, land division, court exhibits, survey records.
• AutoCAD quality control.
• Management of drafting deadlines, schedules, and drafting Queue.
• Updating drafting protocols, standards, technical updates and training staff on autoCAD updates.
• Transfer field data to office computers, edit files and construct digital terrain models for office staff review and complete survey map.
• Perform heavy labor tasks such as loading and unloading of equipment and supplies, digging holes, setting monuments and cases, cutting brush and/or trees, pounding wooden hubs and rebar into the ground or pavement
• Conduct preliminary surveys such as roads, flood control projects, building sites, setting property corners, and perform geodetic control surveys.
• Operate Global Positioning Systems (GPS), total stations, electronic data collectors, digital theomats, theodolites, levels and other complex survey instruments.
• Serve as Party Chief in accordance with the Survey unit standard procedures
• Calibrate and adjust total stations, digital theomats, theodolites, levels and other survey equipment.
• Read and interpret design plans and drawings of roads and structures. Perform all necessary field computations (i.e. traverses, intersection details, grade lines, elevation locations, triangulation, etc.) to accomplish field surveys on assigned projects
  
  

Survey Engineer III (Senior) Job Duties:

• Oversee survey crew activities; provide daily instructions on the appropriate survey procedures to use. Serve as Party Chief in accordance with the Survey unit standard procedures.
• Mentor junior staff in all areas of field and office surveying including encouraging career development.
• Effectively communicate with team members and the public in an office setting and/or in the field while maintaining a professional presence and demeanor.
• Conduct various types of surveys including GPS, property, legal, boundary, topographic, hydrographic, control and construction surveys. Research and prepare legal descriptions for easements and acquisitions.
• Layout centerline alignment staking, rights-of-way and slope easement staking, slope staking, blue tops, bridge control, and reference points for related construction layout.
• Conduct preliminary surveys such as roads, flood control projects, building sites, setting property corners, and perform geodetic control surveys.
• Operate Global Positioning Systems (GPS), total stations, electronic data collectors, digital theodolites, levels and other survey instruments. Calibrate and adjust total stations, digital theodolites, levels and other survey equipment.
• Use AutoCAD software to produce detailed survey maps for use in engineering design, contract documents, land division, court exhibits, survey records.
• Manage drafting deadlines, schedules, and drafting queue. Update drafting protocols, standards, technical updates, and training staff on these updates.
• Transfer field data to office computers, edit files and construct digital terrain models for office staff review and complete survey map.
• Perform heavy labor tasks such as loading and unloading of equipment and supplies, digging holes, setting monuments and cases, cutting brush and/or trees, pounding wooden hubs and rebar into the ground or pavement.
• Read and interpret design plans and drawings of roads and structures. Perform all necessary field computations (i.e. traverses, intersection details, grade lines, elevation locations, triangulation, etc.) to accomplish field surveys on assigned projects.
• Review and certify completed work to satisfy project requirements.

Research legal and survey records to obtain information about property boundaries, including deeds, easements, vacations, dedications, right of ways, riparian rights, superior court cases, etc.

Resolve boundaries using accepted boundary and legal principles and case, state, and federal laws. Prepare and/or review legal descriptions and right of way plans.




Qualifications

Survey Engineer II:

We are looking for candidates who:

• Are familiar with survey, roadway feature maintenance and construction practices, standards and design principals;
• Have the ability to be a strong and effective people leader who can have crucial conversations and is knowledgeable of project management principles;
• Is knowledgeable of hydrology and hydraulic design of storm water systems;
• Have experience in effectively working with a team that contributes to a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity in its workforce and where differences are valued;
• Can manage and prioritize a high volume of diverse projects and multiple competing tasks with a strong attention to detail;
• Are skilled in problem solving and can effectively manage conflict;
• Are able to handle politically sensitive issues with grace;
• Are proficient in the use the Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Project) applications in your daily work, and skill using AutoCADD, Civil3D, HEC-RAS, MGS Flood, GPS and GIS programs.

Additional Requirements:
• An offer of employment will be contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment physical examination.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License.

Survey Engineer III (Senior) - In addition to requirements as listed above for an Engineer II:


• Bachelor's degree in Survey engineering or a related field, with experience in land surveying techniques and technologies, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates a strong understanding of surveying and mapping engineering principles.
• Comprehensive knowledge of surveying, mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Global Positioning System (GPS) and programs of Washington State survey standards.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Washington State Revised and Administrative Codes (WAC and RCW).
• Comprehensive knowledge of the federal Public Lands Survey System (PLSS).
• Thorough knowledge of boundary principles and applicable laws and statutes.
• Knowledge of municipal and state design standards and codes.
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of Land Surveying.
• Comprehensive knowledge using AutoCAD and Civil3D design software.
• Proficiency with business applications such as Microsoft Office. Experienced in investigating complaints, code enforcement processes, and providing solutions to code questions and interpretations.
• Skilled in computing and staking for complex construction projects, including but not limited to slope staking, bridge and highway construction, large utility installations, and heavy construction.

Desired Qualification:

• Experienced in all aspects of physical land surveying, including boundary, topographic, construction stake-out, A.L.T.A., control networks, GPS-RTK and static methods, route/corridor, residential/subdivision surveys, and Public Land Survey System.

Additional Requirements

• An offer of employment will be contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment physical examination.
• Licensed Washington Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) or be able to obtain it within six months of employment.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License.

Work Environment for both positions:

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to move from workstation to workstation, sitting, standing, and reaching throughout the workday in a fast-paced environment.
• Physically able to traverse development, mining, and/or construction sites.
• Must be able to perform work in the office and field.
• Must be able to safely negotiate and traverse steep uneven slopes.
• Must be able to bend and lift to load equipment into vehicles.
• Must be able to safely operate machete and other hand tools for clearing vegetation.



Additional Information

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE: The first round of interviews for this position is scheduled to take place the week of May 4, 2026.

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months.

First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

APPLICATION PROCESS: A full and complete King County application is required.

You may also provide a resume and cover letter, summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.

Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.

For interviewing tips, please see the STAR-LA method: star-la_interview_method.pdf

WORK SCHEDULE: This position has a 40-hour work week with variable shifts, which alternate 5x8-hour days/week and 4x10-hour days/week. This position is Non-Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS: This position has been designated as: Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.

Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: PROTEC17

TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT: We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps.

The work associated with this position will be performed by teleworking, field work, onsite work and meetings as needed.

The primary onsite location is Roads Maintenance Facility, 155 Monroe Ave NE, Renton, WA 98056 and secondary onsite location at King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, WA 98104.

Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.



TO APPLY:If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.?

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Janice Antonio, HR Analyst, by email at jantonio@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-263-2003.