Ocean Mapping Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 879232 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: CHIEF OF SURVEY AND MAPPING-DEP - 37000986 1

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 37000986 

Salary:  $95,000 to $102,000.00; commensurate with education and experience. 

Posting Closing Date: 08/06/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Chief of Survey and Mapping-DEP

Position #3700986

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Division of State Lands

Bureau of Survey and Mapping

This position is located in Tallahassee, Florida

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Division of State Lands is Florida's lead agency for environmental management and stewardship and serves as staff to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (Board of Trustees).  As such, the Division of State Land's role goes far beyond just acquiring lands for protection. It provides oversight for the management of activities on more than 12 million acres of public lands including lakes, rivers and islands. These public lands help ensure all Florida's residents and visitors can experience and truly appreciate the state's unique landscapes.

In 1841, the U.S. government 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 Board of Trustees had more than 21 million acres under its control. Since then, Florida has worked to protect and conserve natural resources.

This is advanced surveying and mapping work requiring licensure by the State of Florida's Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers. The position responsibilities and expectations include:

Spends majority of their 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 advisors to the Director of State Lands, Deputy Director of State Lands, the Assistant Deputy Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and to the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by keeping them advised of survey, title and land records, and geodesy related programs of the Division of State Lands.

Administers Florida's Coastal Mapping program pursuant to 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 Florida Department of Environmental Services 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 of Florida'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 develops new techniques associated with sovereignty land and land boundary surveying and mapping.

Will provide any assistance with litigation and court proceedings, including involvement leading up to and including Expert Witness role.

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 of Florida 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:

• 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.
• Design and maintenance of retrieval system relevant to the research of State Land Records and all other records pertaining to land transactions within the State of Florida
• Special land title research requested by the Board of Trustees, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 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; determining 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; supervise 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:

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

• Vendor Invoice responsibilities, in accordance with Chapter 215.422, Florida Statutes. 
• Travel.
• Possess a valid driver's license.
• Participates in the Hearing Conservation portion of the DEP Medical Monitoring Program.

Pay:

$95,000 to $102,000.00; commensurate with 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.

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.