Land Surveyor

**EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY**

**Job Title: Land Surveyor**

**Department: Lands**

**Pay Rate: $65,000 per year.**

**Status: Full-time, Permanent**

**Closing Date: March 6, 2024**

**Position**:
The Lands Surveyor supports the registration of legal interests of the First Nations in the three lands registries administered by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and ensures that the statutory duties for the survey of First Nation lands are carried out in accordance with the Indian Act and the Canada Lands Surveys Act by:

- Ensuring that surveys of First Nation lands match the information about interests in land recorded in the land registries managed by ISC.
- Review legal land descriptions to ensure that they meet registry requirements and are compatible with previously registered interests.
- Reviewing legal land description reports prepared under the First Nations Land Management Act defining the extent of First Nation lands.
- Provide advisory and research services to Senior Management, Chief and Council, and external parties resulting from interpretations of land descriptions and titles found in historical records.
- Provide appropriate approval for official survey plans.
- Works with Lands personnel and other designated stakeholders to share expertise and collaborate on projects as required.

**Requirements**:

- Grade 12 or equivalency required.
- Indigenous Lands Management Certificate or Diploma in Surveying through the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association or Land Management Training for First Nations or equivalency required.
- Able to perform outdoor field work in all seasons and weather conditions as required.
- Experience with land surveys and using land surveying equipment.
- Experience reading, utilizing, and interpreting design drawings and topographic maps.
- Vulnerable Sector and Criminal Reference Check required.
- Valid Driver’s License and access to a vehicle.

**Responsibilities**:
Under the supervision of the Director of Infrastructure, the duties and responsibilities of the Lands Surveyor include, but are not limited to, the following:

- **Initializing and Developing Work Plans **_
- Assist band members with the appropriate type of survey required.
- Assist band members with understanding problems and identifying solutions.
- Figure out the logístical aspects of getting the work done.
- Advise band members if the work plan will be subcontracted.
- Prepare an estimate of the costs and a schedule for completion of work plans.
- Obtain specific survey instructions from the surveyor general of Canada if required.
- **Field Work **_
- Meets with Lands Department staff and members to review work plans.
- Uses modern survey technology including total stations and GPS receivers.
- Takes measurements to determine the location of existing boundaries.
- Resolves conflicting evidence about boundaries.
- Locates existing features including buildings, utility lines, fencing, and traveled roads.
- Integrates measurements to the Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS)
- Sets survey monuments and markers to show the boundaries to be created.
- Include enough extra measurements to provide checks on the quality of work.
- **Research **_
- Compile background information on land work plans.
- Review existing survey information from the Canada Lands Survey Records.
- Investigate the appropriate land registry for existing property rights.
- Obtain geodetic coordinates for survey integration.
- **Office Work **_
- Completes quality assurance checks of all fieldwork.
- Confirms the connection of the work to the Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS).
- Follows the requirements of the Canada Lands Surveys Act and the national standards for the Survey of Canada Lands.
- Shares and discusses the work plan and boundaries, including any issues or variations.
- Works to resolve any issues arising from outcomes and results.
- Submits the plan of survey to the Surveyor General Branch for approval.
- Submits the final approved plan of survey for recording in the Canada Lands Surveys Records (CLSR) system.
- Provide band members with the final plan of the survey with a CLSR number on paper and if appropriate in a digital format.
- **Reporting **_
- Communicates with Senior Management, Chief & Council, and appropriate Band members about land issues, where required.
- Provides orientation to new chief & council members to provide an understanding of land management laws, policies, and practices.
- **Skills and Effort Requirements **_
- Walpole Island First Nation and history of land transactions.
- Contract law and management.
- Local Canadian and First Nation Government laws and rules.
- Principles of natural justice and mediation.
- Framework Agreement, Transfer Agreement, Land Code, and associated federal legislation on First Nation Land Management.
- Provincial and federal environmental codes.
- Land practices that could be modified to support First Nation practices (e.g. valuation and appraisal).
- Com