CHIEF OF SURVEY AND MAPPING-DEP - 37000986

Requisition No: 854338 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: CHIEF OF SURVEY AND MAPPING-DEP - 37000986

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 37000986 

Salary:  $95,000 to $104,815 based on education and experience. 

Posting Closing Date: 06/19/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Chief, Bureau of Survey and Mapping

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Division of State Lands

This position is located in Tallahassee, Florida

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position is in the Bureau of Survey and Mapping. 

In 1855, the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund was created as an agency of the Florida government. In 1841, the U.S. government had granted each state in the union 500,000 acres.  Combined with the land received because of the Swamp and Overflowed Lands Act of 1850, the Trustees had more than 21 million acres under its control. Since then, Florida has worked to protect and conserve natural resources.

The Bureau of Survey and Mapping has six main program areas:

1. Title and Land Records Section
2. Statewide Geodetic Survey Control
3. Tidal Datums/Water Boundaries Section
4. Land Acquisition and Management Survey Section
5. Public Land Surveys
6. Negotiations/Litigation Support Section

Title and Land Records

7. • The Title and Land Records Section is the state office that maintains the physical records that now, and historically, pertain to the state’s original public land records of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida and provides research of state ownership. Most land records are indexed and processed in the Board of Trustees Land Document System (BTLDS) and are available to the public over the internet. The data from BTLDS is integrated into the Florida State Owned Lands and Record Information System (FL- SOLARIS) to show current ownership and encumbrance.
   • This section houses the “Vault”, which is a large secure climate-controlled room that contains all the original township plats, field notes, tract books, maps and charts dating prior to statehood.

Statewide Geodetic Survey Control

8. • Establishes geodetic control monuments and performs geodetic control surveys for extending the vertical and horizontal networks for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These monuments and surveys are published as part of NOAA’s National Spatial Reference System. This data is used by engineers, developers, local municipalities, surveyors and mappers in the public and private sectors for the people of the State of Florida.
   • Operates the Tide Gauge program that supports the Florida Coastal Mapping Act of 1974 which re-establishes tide gauges throughout the state in cooperation with NOAA.

Tidal Datums/Water Boundaries

This section operates under the Florida Coastal Mapping Act of 1974. They review and approve tidal datums used in the determination of the mean high-water or mean low-water line.

Land Management and Acquisition Survey

The primary function of this section is to prepare appraisal maps, agenda maps and procure survey products to assist in land acquisition and land disposition. This section contracts with private survey firms to provide surveying services. Other functions include reviewing surveys, sketches and legal descriptions, as well as calculating areas and preparing maps for upland easements affecting state lands, submerged land leases, upland leases and regulatory conservation easements.

Public Land Surveys

9. • Provide administrative services for Florida Public Land Survey Restoration and Perpetuation Act
   • Provide Survey and mapping data on Land Boundary Information System (LABINS.org) through contract with FREAC (Florida Resources and Environmental Analysis Center), the online repository for the records
   • Supervise and assist in the densification of geodetic control used in the development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) by state and local agencies for managing and maintaining infrastructure
   • Provide aid and materials to the surveying and mapping community to enhance the restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction of public land survey corners

Negotiations/Litigation Support Section

10. • The Negotiations and Litigation Section provides litigation support to the Department’s Office of General Counsel for all cases involving the ownership of state lands. This includes conducting extensive research to determine ownership and compiling evidence in support of litigation as well as assisting with drafting legal documents, coordinating with expert witnesses and negotiating settlement agreements in favor of the Board of Trustees. They also provide expertise and guidance to the District Offices, Office of General Counsel, Office of the Attorney General, various governmental agencies, private sector entities and the public in support of State Lands
    • In addition to litigation support, this section works to assist the public with individual issues for privately owned lands adjacent to sovereignty lands and resolve issues involving state owned lands to avoid litigation

This is advanced surveying and mapping work requiring licensure by the State of Florida, Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers.

Spends majority of time communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees; and planning and directing employees’ work, and has the authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline subordinate employees or effectively recommend such action. Directs the overall administration of the Bureau including budgeting, administrative reporting and personnel actions such as hiring, rating and disciplinary actions. Leads program effectively.

Acts as technical staff and advisor to the Director of State Lands, Deputy Director of State Lands, the Assistant Deputy Secretary, Deputy Secretary and to the Secretary of the Department  keeping them advised of survey, title and land records and geodesy related programs of the Division.

Administers Florida’s Coastal Mapping program, Chapter 177, Part II, Florida Statutes; Florida’s Restoration of Corners program, Chapter 177, Part III, Florida Statutes and Florida’s Land Boundary Information System (LABINS) program. Administers the establishment of horizontal and vertical geodetic control throughout the State of Florida with the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, National Geodetic Survey, in addition to Beaches and Coastal survey needs. Acts as an advisor to the Department in the identification of proposed acquisition boundaries and management of lands. Administers the writing of specifications, contracting and monitoring of surveys, when necessary, in the resolution of boundary disputes and for other purposes in the State's interest. Provides, upon request, technical assistance, information and advice regarding sovereignty land boundaries and upland land boundaries to the courts, legislative committees and the Governor and Cabinet. Initiates and coordinates testing and developing new techniques associated with sovereignty land and land boundary surveying and mapping.

Provides, upon request, technical assistance and instruction to engineers, surveyors and mappers and examining boards on methodology and procedures for sovereignty land surveying, cadastral surveying and other aspects of surveying and mapping.

Represents the State at professional and technical meetings and presents scientific papers explaining our programs and techniques when required.

Administers the staff of the Title and Land Records Section whose activities include but are not limited to:

(a) Maintenance and research of map records and land title records of the Board of Trustees and the State of Florida in an effort to determine the extent of the State's title interest in specific parcels of lands

(b) Design and maintenance of retrieval system relevant to the researching of State Land Records and all other records pertaining to land transactions within the State of Florida

(c) Special land title research as requested by the Board of Trustees, DEP Secretary and other public entities.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: basic management principles and practices; land surveying and mapping terminology, principles, tools and techniques. Skills in: using land surveying instruments and equipment; preparing maps; operating a personal computer; determination of land and water boundaries; interpretation of maps, charts and historic surveys. Ability to: administer an advisory program designed to ensure the resolution of managerial and operational problems; determine work priorities, assign work and ensure proper completion of work assignments; communicate technical information verbally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures; perform technical surveying tasks; analyze and interpret current and historic land surveying data and title documents affecting title to state-owned lands, and make opinions as to land and water boundaries and state land ownership; administer; demonstrate teamwork; collect, evaluate and analyze data to develop alternative recommendations, solve problems, document work and other activities relating to the improvement of operational and management practices.

Other Requirements:

Professional Surveyor and Mapper, as required in Chapter 472, Florida Statutes.

This position participates in the Hearing Conservation Program portion of the Department of Environmental Protection Medical Monitoring Program.

Valid Driver’s License.

Travel.

Vendor/Invoice Warrant Processing responsibility, Section 215.422 F.S.

The incumbent of this position, in accordance with section 110.1127 and 435.04, Florida Statutes and DEP Directive 422, Background Investigations, is required to successfully complete a background and fingerprint check.

Pay:

$95,000 to $104,815 based on education and experience.

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy. DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

Tallahassee - Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Tuition waivers;
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

Special Notes:  DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 245-2511. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.