Was looking through job ads. and came across this ad.
http://southcentral.localtradesunion.org/land-survey-technician.html?jobcode=441258962
This is apparently a union job and with that "I" would expect the training and knowledge required for a union position would be a higher bar set than some local mom and pop setup.
Somehow the job description
"Land Survey Technician
Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to perform all aspects of survey work in an office as well as a field environment. At a technical level work with land surveying and mapping data. Interface with clients and consult surveyors to determine and verify project survey requirements. Perform land surveying and geodetic calculations. Write metes and bounds descriptions and prepare site subdivision plans. Manage the day to day interface with consulting surveyors."
And the job responsibilities
"Responsibilities:
Perform all aspects of survey work in an office as well as a field environment
Utilize computer software to create design drawings
Work as a part of a survey crew or team
Perform surveying calculations and write legal descriptions"
Don't seem to correlate with the requirements
" Minimum Requirements:
2 years of experience in surveying of land and title work or equivalent work experience in construction, real estate development and/or legal, or land planning & design.
High School diploma or equivalent
Knowledge and/or experience using computer aided drawing software
Basic Microsoft Word and Outlook skills
Strong analytic capabilities and the ability to work independently.
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to handle the physical aspects of required field work, which may include walking throughout the work day
Ability to travel at least 20%;
Commitment to safe work practices
Candidate must obtain certification as a Land Survey Technician as prescribed by the NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS within six (6) months of hire through company-sponsored training and development program. For consideration, all candidates must successfully complete pre-employment process, which includes: skills assessment, drug & alcohol screening, interview, physical examination, etc...
To me, this doesn't jive in just the non-union community. What is going on here?
Union office job?
Usually the Union Field Crews make more than the College educated office crews out here. All that College you would think they would be smart enough to join a Union.
The usual company owner retort to the office person being upset at the disparity is that the office guy gets the privilege of working year round (for the same annual amount of course).
Dave, I was more interested in the fact that someone with two years in "land planning" or real estate, and a high school diploma was gonna qualify to write mete and bound descriptions, and perform geodetic calculations.
Correct me if i'm wrong but wouldn't you need achieve a level four NSPS certification to be recognized as being minimally qualified ?
Wouldn't you need a few more than two years of verifiable experience to even sit for that exam?
I've had office guys complain to me that they want to go out in the field because the field guys make more. My only retort is I don't need another field guy, I need an office guy. The field guys make more because of the unions. Sorry about that.
The union requires you to limit the amount you pay your office personnel?
The field guys are union. The office guys are not.
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My field guys aren't union but I have to compete with the union to a certain extent to get and keep field guys. Or used to anyway, now I've got two former union guys working for me because the union work dried up.
I understand that. What I do not understand is the blaming the union for not paying the office guys what you are paying the field guys. Seems you can pay both the same if you want to. Or does the union picket you if you pay what they consider a decent wage (when it is payed to their guy) to a person who is non-union.
Basically, I think you pay your guys a fair pay, whether they are union or not. It is kind of like paying guys the minimum wage and that only and saying the government says I have to pay you this much. It just sceams of being cheap, IMHO.
Oh ok, I didn't know if you were aware of that. 🙂
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