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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Construction Surveyor

💰 $55,000 - $95,000

ConstructionSurveyingEngineeringField OperationsGeospatial

🎯 Role Definition

The Construction Surveyor is responsible for precise field layout, measurement, and verification activities that support earthworks, utilities, roadways, structures and as-built documentation for construction projects. This role combines advanced field surveying techniques (total station, GPS/RTK, laser scanning), data processing (AutoCAD/Civil 3D, GIS), strong quality-control processes, and clear communication with site construction teams, engineers and stakeholders to ensure build-to-design accuracy and compliance with plans, specifications and tolerances.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Survey Technician / Chainman with 0–2 years’ field experience
  • Civil Engineering Technician or CAD Technician transitioning to field work
  • Geomatics/Surveying associate degree graduate or internship hire

Advancement To:

  • Senior Construction Surveyor / Crew Chief
  • Project Survey Manager / Survey Coordinator for large civil packages
  • Licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) / Survey Principal
  • Construction Manager or Field Engineering Manager (heavy civil focus)

Lateral Moves:

  • BIM/CAD Technician (Civil 3D specialization)
  • GIS Analyst / Geospatial Data Specialist
  • Quality Control / Site Inspection Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct precise construction layout (stakeout) for foundations, footings, columns, walls, curb/gutter, pavements, utilities and other site features, using total station, GPS/RTK and laser instruments to achieve specified tolerances and coordinate offsets.
  • Perform and validate topographic and boundary surveys, including ALTA/NSPS surveys where required, capturing control points, features, elevations, and right-of-way information for design and permitting.
  • Establish and maintain survey control networks (traverse, triangulation, GPS control) across the project site; compute adjustments, propagate coordinates and ensure consistent datum/coordinate system use across disciplines.
  • Collect, process and QC field data using data collectors (Trimble, Leica, Sokkia), RTK base/rover setups, and GNSS workflows; export and translate raw data into CAD/GIS-ready deliverables.
  • Generate accurate as-built surveys, record deviations from design, annotated sketches and photographic documentation for submittals, project records and final acceptance.
  • Interpret construction drawings, engineered plans, legal descriptions and site plans to derive layout points, offsets, grades, cut/fill tolerances and critical control stations for field execution.
  • Produce and maintain digital and hardcopy stakeout sheets, centerline tables, grade stakes and setting-out instructions to support crew activities and subcontractor coordination.
  • Process LiDAR and terrestrial laser scan (TLS) data when used for complex as-built capture or volumetric earthwork reconciliation; register scans and extract features for CAD/BIM integration.
  • Perform routine surveying computations including traverses, level loops, differential levels, volume computations, and coordinate transformations; document methods and QC checks for auditability.
  • Coordinate with project engineers, site superintendents, utility companies, and other trades to schedule layout, avoid conflicts, and verify constructed elements meet plan requirements.
  • Conduct pre-construction site reconnaissance to locate existing control, utilities, obstructions and to plan safe and efficient field operations and control setups.
  • Maintain precise instrument calibration and handle daily instrument checks, troubleshooting and minor field repairs to minimize downtime and maintain measurement integrity.
  • Prepare clear, professional survey reports, boundary descriptions, as-built certificates, field notes and deliverables formatted for CAD, Civil 3D and GIS consumption.
  • Verify grades and slope alignments for earthworks, drainage, retaining structures and erosion control features; provide corrective staking and re-checks after major operations.
  • Execute right-of-way, easement and construction corridor staking, ensuring compliance with legal descriptions and municipal or DOT requirements.
  • Conduct elevation and settlement monitoring, bench mark verification and control point protection throughout construction phases to detect movement or design deviations.
  • Ensure compliance with local, state and federal surveying standards, codes, ALTA/NSPS requirements, and project-specific QA/QC procedures.
  • Supervise and train junior survey technicians and summer interns on safe instrument use, field note best practices, data organization and survey ethics.
  • Manage survey deliverable schedules, coordinate CAD conversions, and deliver point files, alignments, cross-sections and cut/fill reports to engineering and construction teams on time.
  • Lead dispute resolution and field verification tasks when as-built conditions conflict with design or property boundaries; prepare documentation for engineers, attorneys and permitting agencies.
  • Implement safety plans and traffic control measures for field crews, ensuring adherence to OSHA, local tunnel/highway/rail safety rules and client site-specific safety protocols.
  • Perform quantity takeoffs and earthwork verification, comparing design volumes to measured site volumes and assisting estimators with reconciliation reports.
  • Configure and maintain cloud sync workflows and data backups for field-captured coordinates, point files and instrument logs to guarantee data integrity and version control.
  • Prepare cost/time estimates for survey scopes of work, provide input to project bids and support project managers with resource planning for multi-phased jobs.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with permit surveys, utility coordination and locate requests (811) to minimize field risk and delays.
  • Maintain inventory of surveying equipment, accessories, batteries and data collectors; schedule preventative maintenance and vendor calibration as required.
  • Support BIM/Civil 3D teams by delivering cleanly attributed point files, alignments and surfaces for model-building and clash detection.
  • Conduct periodic audits of survey methods and field notes to improve workflows, reduce rework and document lessons learned.
  • Create and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for field-to-office data transfer, instrument set-up and staking tolerances.
  • Participate in project meetings and progress reviews to clarify survey intent, constraints and deliverable timelines.
  • Provide technical input to change orders when layout or site conditions require design revisions or additional survey scope.
  • Mentor and cross-train field staff in GIS, CAD and data management best practices to strengthen multi-disciplinary delivery.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient operation of Total Stations (robotic and manual) for layout, resection, staking and surveying control establishment.
  • Expert use of GNSS/GPS RTK systems (Trimble, Leica, Topcon) for high-accuracy horizontal and vertical control.
  • Strong CAD skills in AutoCAD and Civil 3D: creating/cleaning point files, alignments, surfaces, cross-sections and as-built drawing production.
  • Experience with field data collectors and controllers (Trimble UHF, TSC7, Ranger, Leica Captivate) and data transfer protocols.
  • LiDAR/TLS point cloud capture and processing experience; ability to register scans and extract accurate model geometry.
  • Knowledge of ALTA/NSPS, boundary surveying principles, legal descriptions and property monumentation procedures.
  • Competency in surveying computations: traverse adjustments, least squares, differential leveling, coordinate transformations and datum conversions.
  • Proficiency with surveying and geospatial software: Carlson, Leica Geo Office, Trimble Business Center, Civil 3D, ArcGIS/QGIS.
  • Ability to perform complex construction layout for roads, bridges, stormwater systems, utilities and structural elements to specified tolerances.
  • Understanding of geodetic datums, projection systems, state plane coordinates and vertical datum transformations.
  • Skilled in producing quantity calculations, cut/fill analysis, and surface comparisons for earthworks reconciliation.
  • Familiarity with instrument maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting and basic electronics diagnostics.
  • Experience preparing survey deliverables: as-built drawings, stakeout sheets, control reports, and survey certificates compliant with client/DOT standards.
  • Working knowledge of construction specifications, shop drawings, and reading/interpretation of civil engineering plans.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent verbal and written communication for clear field-to-office and client interactions.
  • Strong attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy when measuring, recording and processing spatial data.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to improvise safe solutions in dynamic field conditions.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to meet tight construction schedules and multiple simultaneous deliverables.
  • Leadership and team mentorship: training junior technicians and coordinating small field crews.
  • Client-facing professionalism: ability to represent the surveying function in meetings and resolve technical questions.
  • Adaptability to work in varied environments—urban, highway, rail, industrial and remote sites.
  • Strong organizational skills for managing instrument calibration logs, field notes and project archives.
  • Safety-oriented attitude with commitment to following OSHA and client-specific safety protocols.
  • Collaborative mindset to coordinate with engineers, PMs, subcontractors and regulatory agencies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED plus completion of a surveying technician certificate program OR
  • Associate degree in Surveying Technology, Geomatics, Civil Engineering Technology or equivalent field experience (2+ years).

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Surveying Engineering, Geomatics, Civil Engineering or related discipline.
  • Professional registrations or certifications such as Certified Survey Technician (CST), Professional Land Surveyor (PLS), or state-equivalent licensure are strongly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Surveying / Geomatics
  • Civil Engineering / Civil Engineering Technology
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Construction Management
  • Remote Sensing / Photogrammetry

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of progressive field and office surveying experience on construction projects (roads, utilities, site development, bridges, heavy civil).

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of construction surveying experience with demonstrated proficiency in total station and GNSS workflows.
  • Experience on large heavy civil projects, DOT projects, utility installs, and multi-disciplinary construction sites.
  • Prior experience producing ALTA/NSPS surveys, as-built documentation, and working with Civil 3D and point-cloud data.
  • Licensure or active pathway to Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) and relevant safety certifications (OSHA 10/30, traffic control).
  • Proven track record of managing small survey crews, delivering timely survey packages and maintaining high QA/QC standards.
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