Chief Surveyor - Surveying & Mapping - Public Works

Company Description
Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below.
Amended 12/24/2025:
Final date to receive applications is Continuous until filled.

Application Opening: Wednesday, August 13th, 2025
Final date to receive applications: Continuous until Filled. Please apply immediately. The application filing will be open at least through Wednesday August 20th, 2025, and will close any time thereafter.
Compensation Range: $151,034 to $197,834 annually
Recruitment : PEX-5216-EXEMPT, REF
55002H
Appointment Type: Permanent-Exempt (PEX), Category 18. This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer and shall not exceed 36 months.

San Francisco Public Works has a far-reaching portfolio with a $453 million annual operating budget, an active capital portfolio that exceeds $3 billion and a workforce of 1,700-plus employees. The department operates around the clock, touching every neighborhood in San Francisco. The staff designs and manages the construction of civic buildings and streets; cleans and greens the right of way; maintains civic buildings;

manages multi-million-dollar bond programs; trains people for jobs; keeps the right of way free of hazards; paves the roads; repairs bridges and public stairways; expands accessibility; and works at the forefront addressing some of San Francisco’s biggest challenges. With a mission to enhance the quality of life in San Francisco for residents, visitors and business owners, Public Works is committed to providing outstanding public service through an equity lens.

Please visit the “About Us” section of our website at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). to learn more about the department’s core values, Racial Equity Initiative, leadership team, history, budget and more.

Public Works currently has a vacancy for the position of Chief Surveyor (5216).

Under general direction, as a Chief Surveyor, you will manage a section or division by planning, assigning, directing, and reviewing the work of a group of technical and professional staff engaged in land survey activities. You will have technical and administrative responsibilities for defining objectives, conducting, implementing, and evaluating surveys in an assigned geographic or functional area, and making decisions regarding legal and record boundary determinations by State law, Federal instructions, and precedent established through the courts.

• Manage a survey group by planning, assigning, monitoring, and evaluating staff work.
• Review surveying or map requirements and resolve problems as needed.
• Examine areas to be surveyed and assign the appropriate survey staff.
• Check field survey or map work in progress and direct staff as necessary.
• Perform surveying or map processing operations when necessary to assist staff in challenging situations.
• Manage the budget (including revenues for map processing) for survey staff to ensure adequate staffing, supplies, and equipment.
• Collect and review survey notes or map applications for completeness and accuracy.
• Supervise the preparation and maintenance of official records, maps, and survey reports.
• Coordinate with other city agencies on requests for service, time schedules, and cost estimates.
• Assist the bureau leaders with revising programs, objectives, and goals.
• Interact with the public, other departments, contractors, private surveyors, and outside organizations relative to municipal mapping and survey practices and procedures.
• Prepare legislation to change official street legislation, approve subdivision maps, and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
• Represent the department at public hearings before the Board of Supervisors and various commissions.
• Drive a city vehicle to work sites and meetings when necessary.

The nature of the work will require some physical effort and manual dexterity occasionally lifting and carrying over 50 pounds and working in adverse weather or working conditions such as working in streets or roads in heavy traffic, in cold and rain.