Chief Of Parties

What does the job title Chief of Parties mean to you,

Fall guy.. Vice President..Newbie LS

Oh, and, build the perfect one!

Always kind of wondered about that position. It seems like a PIA no-win job that the gobment sector created to put ex-PC's out to pasture.

I would think that unless the person is also a very qualified CAD guy, or even in marketing, the position is irrelevant. Not that the duties aren't important, but it seems it could be combined with additional skillsets. (with all due respect to those that hold that position)

The job title could be anything and I'd think a degree in psychology would be just as appropriate as a PLS.

The person in charge of making sure there is enough beer and pizza for everyone !! 😉

A few Minimum Qualifications for Survey Party Chief:

5 years experience.
Math Background (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry)
Understands Boundary control and can perform prorations in the field
PLSS principles
Proficient with Cogo/CAD software
Construction Layout experience
Neat professional appearance
Excellent communication skills

I'm not sure this position exists any more. Oh sure, there are some that still cling to the old tried and true ways of doing things. But for the most part, it's project managers and field technicians (see my response to the Let's Build the Perfect Party Chief thread, below).

The project managers do all of the research, make some preliminary calculations, hand the pertinent information off to the field technicians and they go out and do the field work. The gather the pertinent field data, bring it back to project manager and they compile it into the final format. Hopefully, there are no issues and it gets sent out the door.

Radar

Chief Of Parties - WSDOT

WSDOT uses that term and from my understanding it pretty much describes the job as it is used. Chief (Person responsible for/fall guy/go to guy/middle man) of Parties (ground personnel needed to obtain a survey request either in the office or field).

They organize crews when and where needed. Ensure the data in and out is ok. responsible for survey requests and organizing the crew and or office staff to fulfill them. Deal with contractors and their requests. Ect, Ect.

License may not be required but the job is pretty demanding so a PLS would prob be recommended. Experience is the key to this position.

Hey Hey Hey!!!!

let's keep the grandious title.... we don't have enough of them in surveying.

I left the private production survey world as "Senior Party Chief"...always aspired to be "Chief of Parties"...

What a great job title that is...

Charlie was the first Chief of Parties I knew, he was appointed to the nonexistent position after an accident in the company truck that left him partially disabled. He was kind of funny because he would crunch the numbers on the old HP desktop computer and then pull out his slide rule and check them. I don't think he ever became a PLS but he sure had a nice black Chevy Impala that I never saw a speck of dirt on.

> Charlie was the first Chief of Parties I knew, he was appointed to the nonexistent position after an accident in the company truck that left him partially disabled.

The first Chief of Parties I knew fried the bottoms of his feet in a horrible chaining accident, under some power lines. He was holding the rear chain and the lead chain had gotten off of line. They were standing in tall wet grass and when he got back on line, he had to flip the chain over the grass and that's when a a big arc came down from the power line. The lead chain was holding a leather wang so he didn't get it but Jim sure did. He said he did a dance called I can't let go, and the next thing he new, he was waking up in the hospital.....

It occurs to me that I did that job a bunch of years ago with 4-6 crews.
What I tried to do:
1) Schedule crews so that they knew what was happening tomorrow when they came in every afternoon,
to the point that they could show up and haul a@#.
2) Review the day's work in the afternoon with each PC and moniter progress
3) Moniter transfer of data in and out of the field.
4) Make sure that the CAD guys were on top of the crew's work/needs
5) Moniter equipment/supply needs
6) CAD backup guy, I used to jump in on the smaller stuff that could be knocked out fairly quickly
7) On-site client contact
8) Maintence of field equipment and vehicles
9) Make-up field hand
10) Review time cards for billing
11) And all the rest...

I worked to be the conduit in/out of the office. It's a tough job.

Well, being one, I am the most experienced and educated surveyor on site.
Equally adept at layout, control, problem solving, computations, CAD, juggling emergencies, and motivating through various techniques.
I have numerous crews on site and CAD guys and am the conduit of information in and out and am ultimately responsible for the quality of the product. I also constantly shift priorities and crews as needed.
I spend far too much time teaching the old basics to the younger chiefs who have never had the opportunities I have had to learn from an expert in the field.
During meetings I am looked to by engineers, inspectors, contractors and architects, to explain the current issues in clear concise language and express my opinion as to solutions and impacts. I am expected to know everything about the structure being built and how its correct or modified construction affects nearby structures.
I am also expected to know and provide the relevent history of construction at the site.
In addition, I am required to provide all the coordination and meet all the requirements of working with numerous agencies, stakeholders and safety managers. And I am expected to ensure all the safe practices, equipment and procedures required to work on our and other agencies property including railroads, subways, highways, and tunnels.
Previously, the list also included airports, bridges, and seaports.
In short, I am the manager, teacher, safety inspector, archivist, walking plan rack and facilitator.

Somedays I hate it, but most days its the best job on site.

That kinda puts it in perspective.

Chief Of Parties - Scott Nailed It!

> Well, being one, I am the most experienced and educated surveyor on site.
> Equally adept at layout, control, problem solving, computations, CAD, juggling emergencies, and motivating through various techniques.
> I have numerous crews on site and CAD guys and am the conduit of information in and out and am ultimately responsible for the quality of the product. I also constantly shift priorities and crews as needed.
> I spend far too much time teaching the old basics to the younger chiefs who have never had the opportunities I have had to learn from an expert in the field.
> During meetings I am looked to by engineers, inspectors, contractors and architects, to explain the current issues in clear concise language and express my opinion as to solutions and impacts. I am expected to know everything about the structure being built and how its correct or modified construction affects nearby structures.
> I am also expected to know and provide the relevent history of construction at the site.
> In addition, I am required to provide all the coordination and meet all the requirements of working with numerous agencies, stakeholders and safety managers. And I am expected to ensure all the safe practices, equipment and procedures required to work on our and other agencies property including railroads, subways, highways, and tunnels.
> Previously, the list also included airports, bridges, and seaports.
> In short, I am the manager, teacher, safety inspector, archivist, walking plan rack and facilitator.
>
> Somedays I hate it, but most days its the best job on site.

Great Summary Scott

> The person in charge of making sure there is enough beer and pizza for everyone !! 😉

He does that?! I'm mixed up now. So what does the Party Chief do?

Chief of Parties = John Spry down Nashville way...