Principal Engineering Technician

Position Overview

The County of Riverside Transportation Department is recruiting a Principal Engineering Technician for the County Surveyor Division. This position involves performing a variety of complex surveying tasks in both field and office settings. The incumbent will serve as a field Party Chief – supervising a 2-3 person survey crew on diverse projects including preliminary boundary, topographic, GPS, geodetic, right-of-way, and construction surveys – as well as managing map preparation, legal description drafting, and data analysis in an office environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, review, and integrate the work of technical staff and field crews.
• Define project scope, set priorities, and meet deadlines in consultation with project coordinators.
• Resolve complex engineering and scheduling challenges while ensuring quality standards.
• Coordinate field activities including surveying tasks such as preliminary boundary, topographic, GPS, geodetic and construction surveys.
• Direct office work involving map preparation, legal description drafting, CADD data editing, and survey report compilation.
• Operate and maintain survey instruments and ensure accurate field data collection.
• Evaluate subordinate staff performance and provide training and development.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of technical and responsible surveying or engineering experience – or a bachelor's degree in surveying engineering, civil engineering, or a closely related field with at least one year of senior-level experience.
• Valid California Driver’s License.
• Thorough knowledge of local surveying principles as outlined in the California Professional Land Surveyor's Act and the ability to perform complex field and office surveying tasks.
• Demonstrated supervisory skills with the ability to lead, train, and evaluate a survey crew and technical staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Civil 3D and MicroStation drafting platforms.
• Proven ability to manage both field and office surveying operations efficiently.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proactive approach in resolving technical discrepancies.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance: A choice of comprehensive plans to suit individual needs.
• Retirement Plans: Participation in CalPERS with multiple tiers based on service history.
• Deferred Compensation: Options available through two 457 plan choices.
• Leave Benefits: Generous vacation accrual, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays per year.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Basic and supplemental options, with long-term disability benefits included.
• Additional benefits include bereavement leave, post-retirement medical contributions, and more as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.