Professional Land Surveyor, Land Surveyor 3 (LS3)

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources in Olympia seeks a Professional Land Surveyor (LS3) to join a team handling land boundary and surveying matters for state lands, including uplands and aquatic parcels.

You will review descriptions, prepare maps and legal descriptions, and provide guidance on compliance with RCWs and WACs. A WA license and BRPELS registration are required, with travel occasional.

Qualifications

• Active WA Professional Land Surveyor license required.
• BRPELS registration required.
• Experience with land surveying, mapping and related laws.

Responsibilities

• Conduct professional review of survey maps for leases and easements on state lands.
• Review land descriptions and determine boundaries for transactions and leases.
• Produce maps, reports, and boundary analyses; serve as expert witness when needed.
• Draft survey and harbor maps to meet RCW/WAC requirements and obtain approvals.

Skills

Active Washington State Professional L

Land surveying experience

Strong communication skills

Education

Associate's degree or higher in land surveying

Tools

Esri GIS software

CAD software with land survey extensions

Job description

Professional Land Surveyor, Land Surveyor 3 (LS3)

Recruitment #2025-12-6660

Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WFSE)

Location: Natural Resources Building- Olympia, WA

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered

Relocation Compensation may be available and considered

Salary: $6,384.00 - $8,583.00 Monthly

The salary range listed includes a general wage increase of 2% for all state employees effective July 1, 2026.

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 12/14/25. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

As a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor, you will join a team of agency specialists on land boundary and surveying issues. Provides advice and guidance on land boundary and ownership issues to agency personnel and others. Also provides upland and aquatic lease plat reviews for compliance with the law and agency requirements. Helps to guide the updating and maintenance of the DNR Cadastre and Aquatic Land Ownership Parcel and Boundary line GIS data.

Responsibilities

• Professional review of survey maps submitted for leases and easements over state-owned aquatic lands and uplands. Including review for compliance with pertinent RCWs and WACs as well as DNR agency-specific requirements. Assure that submitted legal descriptions are accurate and analyze underlying ownership to determine that proper boundaries are used in maps and other survey documents related to business on State-owned lands of all types.
• Review legal descriptions for upland and aquatic land transactions (acquisitions and disposals), leases, rights of ways, and other types of use authorizations, compose new legal descriptions for transactions when necessary, and determine land areas for land sales, acquisitions, exchanges, and leases.
• Compile data, produce maps, reports, and land boundary analysis. Act as an expert witness in legal cases involving state-owned land boundary or ownership disputes. Assist AG staff in interpreting legal descriptions and other land boundary issues as needed.
• Calculate, draft, and edit transactions or use authorization-related surveys and harbor area maps for agency business needs. Survey and harbor maps to meet all applicable RCW and WAC requirements and be approved by Aquatic Resources Division and/or upper management before being fully adopted and recorded in the applicable county auditor’s office.

Required Qualifications

• Must possess and maintain an active Washington State Professional Land Surveyor’s License.
• Registration as a professional land surveyor by the Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BRPELS).
• Experience with land surveying and mapping principles, procedures, and practices, statutes, court decisions, and other laws pertaining to locating and dividing land; professional standards of land surveying, trigonometry, mapping, and drafting.
• Experience analyzing land and title records, including aquatic land records.
• Knowledge of Washington State Land Survey laws and rules.
• Strong communication skills.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention and requests are followed.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment

• Work Setting: The position is in the office, with possible occasional project site visits.
• Travel Requirements: Infrequent travel usually about three or so times a year.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic land development principles.
• Experience using ESRI GIS software.
• Experience using CAD software with land survey computation extensions.
• Knowledge of the Washington Plane Coordinate System.
• Associate's degree or higher in a field related to land surveying.

Questions

Justin Holt at [e-mail] 360-902-1206 or email us at [e-mail].

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call 360-522-2500 or email [e-mail]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

At DNR, we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our Vision

Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.

Our Mission

Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Our Core Values

• Safety and Well-Being -Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service -We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving - We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork -We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of which include

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Additional Information

This recruitment may be extended and used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

DNR does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference, please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22, or other verification of military service. Please black out your Social Security number before attaching it. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, call 360-664-1960 or 1-877-664-1960 or email [e-mail].