FIELD NOTES
US of AZ Monthly eNewsletter

December Issue Highlights

USofAZ News: Monthly Meeting, Online Public Form,
Mark Your Calendars
 Guest Article: Why Do Surveyors Undervalue and Undersell Their Services?
Sneak Peek: 2018 Surveyors Week
USCAD Webinar
New Section: Classified / Job Opportunity Board
New Section: Lost Monuments

2018 Membership Renewals
Membership & Sponsorship Opportunities
Active (voting) Membership: $120/yr
Student (non-voting) Membership: $100y/yr
Supporting (non-voting) Membership: $100/yr
*Corporate Sponsorships: $600/yr
*Includes 3 Active Memberships and more promotional opportunities than ever.
USofAZ News
Monthly USofAZ Meeting
Watch for info coming soon about our January meeting location.

Attendance at these meetings has been growing every month! Let's keep it going!!
USofAZ Online Public Forum
A Place to Discuss all our your Geomatics Questions or Concerns


The USofAZ Forum is a space for peer-to-peer professional exchange of ideas, thoughts, problems, and solutions related to the theory and practice of land surveying and mapping

Mark Your Calendars
September 2018:
Geomatics Golf Outing

More info to come!

Anyone who would like to be a part of the planning committee or if you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact admin@usofaz.org
GUEST ARTICLE:
Why Do Surveyors Undervalue and Undersell
Their Services?
Greg Jeffries, B.S. M. ASCE, Regional SUE Manager - Texas
For years I have been witness to surveyors undervaluing and underselling their services and I don’t understand why. (To be fair, the simple answer is; “Market Conditions” but it goes way beyond simple answers.). I have been in this business sector for 30+ years now and it seems like survey pricing has remained about the same since the 1980’s, without even an adjustment for inflation. The profession, for the most part, seems content to sell their services for barely more than what it costs to perform, not counting or calculating what the value of their knowledge and expertise is worth. Further, it seems that many do not take into account what the service is worth to the end user.
 
With all the technologies available today, collecting a measurement should be a snap and yet, very often it is anything but. Results on-the-fly right? Well, as long as everyone showed up for work, the truck didn’t break down, you can access the site, have Right of Entry, good GPS signals and fully charged batteries right?. Even our wisest clients (who know better) will fall prey to the bottom line on occasion. It’s always about the money with no thought to the hereafter until ugly manifests. In their minds, a surveyor (real or purported) is a surveyor sanctioned by the State, and, in metropolitan areas there is one on every corner from every part of the country (palpable sarcasm).
SNEAK PEEK:

SURVEYORS WEEK 2018

March 18- 24 2018


Sunday 3/18 – Initial Point Hike & Boy Scout Survey Merit Badge event

Monday 3/19 & Wednesday 3/21 – Evening Events TBD

Friday 3/23 – Surveyor’s Retreat
Speakers, Lunch, Trade-show

There will be a “Photo Contest” running throughout the week with the winner announced at Friday’s event.

Register Now for These
FREE Monthly Events!
every 1 st Monday of the month

every 1 st Tuesday of the month

every 2 nd Wednesday of the month

CLASSIFIED & JOB OPPORTUNITY BOARD
(Anyone wishing to post here, please send an email to admin@usofaz.org)

SURVEY DRAFTING POSITION AVAILABLE
Do you enjoy working in an extremely fast paced environment? Are you able to grasp concepts quickly, manage your time effectively and do not need direct supervision? Are you resourceful and creative? If so, then we might have the job for you!
We are looking for a Survey Drafter that possesses the skills to or has the general concept of and can learn the following:
  • Use Civil 3D
  • Draft ALTA/As-Built/Topographic Surveys
  • Read/write legal descriptions
  • Plays nice with others
If you are still reading, please respond with the following:
- Resume
-Specific Salary Requirements
-References (Direct Supervisors only please)
 
Professional Survey Technician Needed 
Geomatics Consulting Group is in search of a Survey Technician to perform Land Surveying office tasks such as map compilation, boundary and right-of-way plat drafting, records research, surface modeling, and numerous other related duties. Position also involves field work as a fill in crew member when the need arises. Minimum qualifications are:
· Associate of Science in Surveying or registration as LSIT from any state
 
The following credentials are preferable, but none are mandatory:
· ABET accredited BS in Geomatics Engineering or Surveying Technology
· Microstation and InRoads experience
· PLS
· CFedS certification
· Additional BS or MS degree in GIS
· Field survey experience (non-construction or residential)
 
The position is full-time hourly with approximately 85% office and 15% field surveying as an assistant to the Crew when needed. Starting pay range $20-$36/hr depending on qualifications.Please e-mail your ONE page resume to rbarbala@geomaticsconsultinggroup.com 
Do not call my office line, I will contact you.

LAND SURVEY CREW CHIEF

Geomatics Consulting Group is in need of a Land Survey Crew Chief to conduct field surveys throughout Arizona for various agencies on civil works projects. Candidates must have good driving record, excellent vision, be in good physical condition and able to work in all climate conditions and elevations across Arizona. This is a journeyman position requiring a wide range of experience with GPS and optical equipment and a solid set of capabilities to improvise when needed. Candidates must have at least 10yrs of verifiable experience on design and boundary projects, construction staking does not apply. Statewide travel is required with week-long hotel stays on occasion, however most projects are in Maricopa County.
 
Drug use is not allowed at any time during working hours, including alcohol, tobacco, vapor pens and the like.
 
Starting pay rates are $18-$30/hr depending on qualifications and credentials.
 
Basic requirements include:
· Minimum 18 years of age
· At least 20-35 vision with or without corrective lenses
· No excessive cell phone usage
· Legally working in the United States
· Valid AZ driver’s license with acceptable driving record
· Must be able to pass a drug test and submit to random testing
· High school diploma or GED
· No felony convictions
 Please e-mail your ONE page resume to rbarbala@geomaticsconsultinggroup.com 
Do not call my office line, I will contact you.


Vacancy Announcements
 
See below for job openings at the National Geodetic Survey
 

Geodesist (Regional Advisor)
 
Series and Grade: ZP-1372-04 (GS 13/14 equivalent)
 
Location(s): 
1 vacancy in Columbus, OH
1 vacancy in Seattle, WA
 
Open Period:  Fri., Dec. 11 to Tues. Dec. 26, 2017
 
The vacancy number is NOS-NGS-2018-0003 for federal employees:
 
The vacancy number is NOS-NGS-2018-0004 for all U.S. Citizens:
 
For more information about the Regional Geodetic Advisor Program, visit:  https://geodesy.noaa.gov/ADVISORS/index.shtml .
  

 
Reminders: 
 
  • Please direct all questions regarding the positions and applications process to the NOAA Workforce Management Specialist listed in the announcement.
  • You must apply separately under each announcement to be considered for both MAP and DEU.
  • If you wish to apply for this position, please ensure that your resume includes the experience required in the specialized experience and duties portion of the announcement. In addition, you must provide all transcripts to support the education requirement.
 
LOST MONUMENTS
Dedicated to preserving the memories of those who served our community
August 2017 - Greg Dolphin
November 2017 - Scott Koehler,AZ RLS 45275
November 2017 - Paul Sowers, AZ RLS 19854

This section will be reserved for the names of members of our
Survey & Geomatics community who have passed away.
  USofAZ would like thank all of our sponsors
 and recognize the following organizations for being our Strategic Partners!
  Interested in becoming a part of our community? Email admin@usofaz.org