Senior Engineering Technician (Finance)

The County of Riverside Transportation Department Survey Division has an opportunity for a Senior Engineering Technician (SET). This position may be assigned to either the office or field in Riverside.

The Riverside County Transportation Department is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Engineering Technician to lead both office and field survey crews in support of the County's infrastructure and land development initiatives. This position plays a key leadership role in overseeing a range of land surveying activities, including boundary, topographic, construction, and right-of-way surveys, while ensuring data accuracy and project efficiency. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including collecting, managing, and editing spatial data; performing basic spatial analysis; producing maps and visual data products; and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of GIS datasets using platforms such as ArcGIS or QGIS. Additionally, candidates withdrone piloting experience particularly those with a background in LiDAR and photogrammetryare highly preferred. Responsibilities may include planning and executing drone missions, collecting and processing high-resolution spatial data, generating 3D models, and ensuring compliance with UAS regulations. Strong technical proficiency, a commitment to safety, and the ability to communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams are essential to the success of this role.

An ideal candidate will have substantial experience in both traditional and modern surveying methods and technology, including the use of GPS, total stations, and digital levels, as well as strong proficiency in GIS tools and CAD software. A highly preferred qualification is the ability to operate drones for aerial data collection, particularly for photogrammetry and LiDAR-based mapping and possess or be actively pursuing a California Land Surveyor-in-Training (LSIT) certificate. In addition to technical skills, the ideal candidate will possess excellent communication and leadership abilities, capable of effectively guiding field crews, collaborating with engineers and planners, and interacting with the public and external agencies. A commitment to accuracy, innovation, and continuous improvement is essential for success in this role.

Advancement to the Principal Engineering Technician level is obtained by competitive selection through an open recruitment.

Meet the Team!
The Riverside County TLMA Survey Divisio n is responsible for all land surveying functions within the Transportation Department and offers its services to other County Departments and local agencies.• Perform complex sub-professional survey work of a technically specialized nature in connection with surveying, and the checking and preparation of records of surveys, corner records, maps and plans.

• Lead and participate in the operation of a field survey crew engaged in performing control, photogrammetric, right-of-way, centerline, topographic, alignment, and elevation surveys.

• Adjust and operate such survey instruments as transits, theodolites, levels, and electronic measuring devices in determining lines, angles, distances, and elevations, and maintain proper safety and accuracy standards.

• May assume duties of a Principal Engineering Technician during leaves and vacations.

• In an office setting, review and check tract maps, parcel maps, records of survey, and corner records for mathematical accuracy, closure, area, survey consistency, and conformity with the requirement of the Land Surveyors Act, and Subdivision Map Act, local ordinances, and accepted survey practices.

• Draft complex legal descriptions, easements, right-of-way maps, and survey plats, making necessary revisions and checking related computations for accuracy.

• Consult with office or field surveyors relative to special survey problems and calculations.

• As lead worker, participate in the evaluation of subordinates.

GIS COMPONENT

Data Management: Collecting, organizing, and maintaining GIS data.

Data Entry and Editing: Entering, editing, and updating data in GIS databases.

Map Creation: Producing maps, charts, and other visual representations of data.

Data Analysis: Performing basic spatial analysis and data manipulation.

Software Proficiency: Using GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) and other related software.

Quality Assurance: Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of GIS data Option IExperience: Four years of sub-professional civil engineering experience, at least one year of which must have been at a level equivalent to a County of Riverside Engineering Technician II and in the field of survey. (College courses from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or closely related subjects to the assignment such as land surveying, soils erosion, soils testing, blueprint reading, mathematics, computer graphics, or hydrology may substitute for up to two years of the non-specialized experience on the basis of 12 semester or 18 quarter units equaling one year of the required full-time experience.)

Option IIEducation: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in surveying engineering or civil engineering.

AND

Experience:One year of sub-professional land survey experience equivalent to a County of Riverside Engineering Technician II.

Option IIICertification: Valid Certificate of Registration as a Land Surveyor-in-Training issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

AND

Experience: Two years of sub-professional engineering or land survey experience.

All Options:

License Requirement: A valid California Class C Driver's License is required.

Physical Requirements : The Senior Engineering Technician will perform duties both in the office and in the field. Office work includes handling large-format survey maps, blueprints, and rims of paper. Fieldwork involves outdoor surveying in various environments and weather conditions, including exposure to heat, cold, wind, and uneven terrain. The position requires physical mobility to lift, set up and transport heavy survey instruments such as GPS units, total stations, levels, tripods, measuring wheels, survey stakes and drones. Some of these functions require the ability to stand for long periods of time, lift/carry heavy objects, push, pull, reach, etc. T he incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

For those positions designated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) as safety-sensitive, applicants are required to complete a DOT mandated alcohol and drug-screening. (A positive test or refusal to test during the past two years will disqualify an applicant from consideration for County employment). Reference checks from former DOT regulated employers are also required. Applicants must submit a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record prior to hire.

Employees in safety-sensitive positions are subject to DOT alcohol/drug testing in the following situations: random, reasonable suspicion/cause, return-to-duty, and post-accident.

Knowledge of: GIS software developed by ESRI; Computer Aided Drafting Software developed by MicroStation, InRoads, or Autodesk; Professional Land Surveyors Act (PLS Act); Subdivision Map Act (SMA); Caltrans Right-of-Way engineering, Construction Staking, Land acquisition; Legal Description and Plat preparation; County Ordinances . Knowledge of and familiar with survey/legal principles, techniques, practices and survey analysis; use and operation of GPS equipment, total station, level and other survey instruments.

Ability to: Perform Survey Records Research using GIS; Utilize GIS platform and software programs to complete assigned tasks; Assist Customers at the front research counter using GIS; Work under pressure of deadlines, maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations, and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies and the general public; Prepare CAD drawings from deeds and field measurements using the above described CAD platforms; Process field topo's and create 3-d surface models using CAD software; Be proficient in the Microsoft suite of products and have good writing and communication skills.

Highly Preferred:

Drone Pilot with LIDAR and Photogrammetry Experience:

Safely operate drones, including flight path planning, navigation, and troubleshooting.

Data Collection: Capture high-quality remote sensing data for various industries, including photogrammetry and LiDAR data.

Mapping and Modeling: Plan and execute missions to create 3D models and maps using collected data.

Post-Processing: Clean and geo-reference LiDAR data, classify point clouds, and potentially fuse data with other sources.

Safety and Compliance: Ensure adherence to safety regulations and operating requirements for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Technical Proficiency: Maintain and troubleshoot drones, understand flight dynamics, and utilize specialized software for data processing.

Communication: Communicate effectively with team members and clients regarding project details, data collection, and mission outcomes.

Holding a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is highly desirable.This recruitment is open to all applicants.

General Information:
For questions regarding this posting, please contact Angela Tavaglione at atavaglione@rivco.org.