Technical Support

Manager of Technical Support: Mark Hargrave

Technical Support is made of multiple groups within the Department of Engineering that provides support to Citizens and City staff.  The group is made up of GIS, Drafting, Surveying, and Document Management.  Our goals are to provide the best information available to the Citizens and City staff of Newport News.

To view City Maps (Interactive)

Geographic Information System (GIS)

The Mapping/GIS Group is responsible for planning, developing and implementing selected applications on the City-wide Geographic Information System (GIS).  This Group accomplishes the conversion and maintenance of Newport News land-based information in the GIS to produce mapping products currently used by all departments within the City; functions as the City-wide service bureau to provide users, both within and outside of the City structure, a single point of contact for all GIS-related mapping services; administers City-wide program for idea- and experience-sharing initiatives related to the use of ARCGIS software, which is used to translate GIS data layers into map products that are incorporated into technical and managerial reports supporting City decisions, initiatives, goals and objectives; hosts Intranet/Internet mapping sites for citizens and City staff to utilize GIS data, by displaying parcel information, street address, aerial photography, and City Council and School Board Voting Districts; and provides GIS mapping capability on-site withing the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), providing real-time  overlays of geo-spatial data in support of the enhanced E-911 system for public safety and managerial decisions associated with hurricanes, damage assessment, etc.

Drafting/AutoCAD

Provide Engineering drawings and assistance to engineers by research and survey data.  Provide layout and design work using Civil 3D software by Autodesk for sewers, drainage, pump stations, streets, and utilities.  Provide technical information and support to the public and other City departments.  Also, maintain and store drawings by hard copy and convert to digital files.

Surveying

The surveying group is a integral part of the city as a whole, as the group works with many City departments, gathering information to assist in design of streets, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, buildings, parking lots, dredging of basins, or for as-built data of each of the aforementioned projects.  Surveying established City-wide survey control for both City survey projects and private industry.  Also, does extensive courthouse research for title search and deed references, as well as plat review.  Surveying gathers data to assist in the City-wide GIS system to help insure we are producing the most accurate project possible.  Utilize many diversified pieces of surveying equipment such as Global Position Systems (GPS), robotic total stations, as well as Civil 3D into our everyday operations.  Surveying is an ever-changing field, and the City of Newport News Surveying group is constantly learning and adapting to keep abreast of the needs of the City as a whole.

Document Management

The Department of Engineering currently maintains multiple documents from plans to letters. The purpose of this group is to scan (image) documents and incorporate them into Laserfiche.  Future plans are to relate all documents based on projects to be inserted into the City GIS system for easier access.