Exempt to Permanent - Survey Assistant I – (5310) - Citywide– (161396)

City and County of San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

THIS IS A CITYWIDE RECRUITMENT FOR CURRENT CITY EMPLOYEES ONLY. This is an Exempt to Permanent position in accordance with Class-Based Test (CBT) Civil Service Rules. This recruitment is restricted to current exempt employees of the City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco Unified School District, or San Francisco City College, working within the 5310 Survey Assistant I classification. San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco. Application Opening: Monday , January 12, 2026 Application Filing Deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST) Recruitment ID: ETP-5310-161396/ RTF0161395 Job Description Under supervision, the Survey Assistant I performs paraprofessional surveying work in the office or field. Essential functions include: following established surveying methods and procedures such as measuring horizontal and vertical distances to the order of accuracy and precision required using electronic and other surveying equipment; serving as a chainperson and a rodperson; acting as a recorder to the survey party; reducing and checking field survey notes, including sketches; clearing brush and other obstacles in survey lines; cleaning and maintaining surveying tools; using personal computers and survey-related software applications such as AutoCad and/or Tripod Data System (TDS); and recording document interpretation related to maps and deeds. Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

Must be a Current Category 16, 17, or 18 Exempt Employee in Class 5310 who has worked at least 2,080 hours in Class 5310 with no break in service; AND
Experience: One (1) year of verifiable surveying experience (either in the office or field); OR
An Associate of Science degree with concentration in Geomatics engineering or a related field (see Notes below)

Responsibilities

Serves as a chainperson by measuring horizontal distances between points with a tape measure or prism, setting survey control points, records measurements for reference, and acts as recorder to the survey party when needed.
Serves as rodperson by holding rod or reflector in locations as instructed while the Survey Assistant II reads the rod that indicates differences in elevation for cross-sections, stadia work, slope staking, setting precise vertical controls, and establishing benchmarks to provide points of known elevation.
Reduces and checks field survey notes, which includes: making mathematical computations by using basic arithmetic calculations, geometry, trigonometry, and algebra; using calculators when necessary, to assist in providing the survey team with necessary data for further calculations, reports, and information.
Clears brush and other obstacles in survey lines to enable the survey team to set up the necessary equipment to measure distances and take accurate readings.
Cleans and maintains tools and other surveying equipment as instructed.
Utilizes personal computers and related applications to download and check survey information and maps; may include use of AutoCAD.
Drives a vehicle to work sites to perform survey work.
Class 5310 performs related duties as required.

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