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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Transportation Surveyor

💰 $65,000 - $110,000

SurveyingCivil EngineeringTransportationConstructionGeomatics

🎯 Role Definition

As a Transportation Surveyor, you are the foundational expert responsible for capturing and interpreting the physical landscape for critical infrastructure projects. You will be at the forefront of development, utilizing state-of-the-art technology to provide precise spatial data that guides the design and construction of roads, highways, bridges, and rail systems. Your work ensures that these vital networks are built safely, accurately, and to exact engineering specifications. This role blends field-based data acquisition with office-based analysis, offering a dynamic work environment where your precision directly shapes the world around us.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Survey Technician / Instrument Operator
  • Civil Engineering Technician
  • CAD Technician (with field interest)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Transportation Surveyor / Chief of Parties
  • Survey Project Manager
  • Geomatics Manager / Director of Surveying

Lateral Moves:

  • GIS Analyst / Specialist
  • Civil Designer
  • Construction Manager / Field Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform complex topographic, boundary, right-of-way, and control surveys for large-scale transportation projects, including highways, interchanges, bridges, and rail corridors.
  • Operate and maintain a variety of advanced survey equipment, including robotic total stations, digital levels, GNSS/GPS receivers (RTK and static), and 3D laser scanners.
  • Execute precise construction staking and layout for all project phases, including clearing limits, erosion control, utilities, drainage structures, roadway alignments, and bridge components.
  • Process, reduce, and analyze raw field data using industry-standard software such as Trimble Business Center, Leica Infinity, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and MicroStation/OpenRoads.
  • Prepare detailed survey drawings, plats, topographic maps, and as-built records in accordance with project specifications and relevant state DOT standards.
  • Establish and verify primary and secondary horizontal and vertical project control networks, ensuring high levels of accuracy and redundancy.
  • Conduct thorough research of public and private land records, deeds, and historical survey data to resolve property boundaries and right-of-way lines.
  • Perform comprehensive as-built surveys upon project completion to verify construction adherence to design plans and for final client deliverables.
  • Lead and manage a survey field crew, directing daily activities, enforcing safety protocols, and providing on-the-job training to junior staff and instrument operators.
  • Maintain meticulous and organized field notes, sketches, and daily reports documenting all survey activities, site conditions, and calculations.
  • Collaborate directly with project managers, civil engineers, construction superintendents, and client representatives to provide survey support and resolve field-related issues.
  • Interpret complex engineering and construction plans, specifications, and technical documents to accurately translate design intent to the field.
  • Perform quality assurance and quality control checks on all field measurements and office deliverables to ensure data integrity and accuracy.
  • Calculate earthwork volumes, material quantities, and construction pay items based on topographic data and design models.
  • Utilize terrestrial LiDAR and/or drone-based (UAS) photogrammetry to capture high-density surface data for design, monitoring, or volumetric analysis.
  • Monitor structural and ground deformation for critical infrastructure like bridges, tunnels, and retaining walls using precise survey techniques.
  • Prepare legal descriptions and associated exhibits for right-of-way parcels, easements, and property acquisitions.
  • Ensure strict adherence to all company and client-specific safety procedures (HSE), including conducting daily safety briefings and wearing appropriate PPE on active construction sites.
  • Troubleshoot technical issues with survey instruments, data collectors, and software in a field environment to minimize operational downtime.
  • Assist in the preparation of survey cost estimates, project scopes, and scheduling for upcoming transportation projects.

Secondary Functions

  • Support project managers with ad-hoc data requests and exploratory spatial analysis.
  • Mentor junior surveyors and technicians, contributing to the team's professional development.
  • Collaborate with the geomatics team to test, evaluate, and implement new survey technologies and workflows.
  • Participate in project planning meetings and agile ceremonies to represent survey-related tasks and dependencies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency in survey and design software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D and/or MicroStation (InRoads, OpenRoads).
  • Advanced operation of Robotic Total Stations and GNSS/GPS equipment (e.g., Trimble, Leica, Topcon).
  • Expertise in survey data processing software like Trimble Business Center (TBC) or Leica Infinity.
  • Proven experience in construction staking for roadway, utility, drainage, and structural elements.
  • Strong knowledge of ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys, boundary analysis, and topographic mapping principles.
  • Deep familiarity with state Department of Transportation (DOT) survey standards, codes, and procedures.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex civil engineering plans, blueprints, and schematics.
  • Experience with 3D laser scanning (terrestrial LiDAR) workflows, including data acquisition and point cloud registration.
  • Operation of digital leveling equipment for establishing and running precise vertical control networks.
  • Skill in preparing survey plats, right-of-way maps, and drafting legal descriptions.

Soft Skills

  • Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and resolve technical and logistical challenges in the field.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise approach to measurements, calculations, and documentation.
  • Communication: Clear and effective communication with crew members, engineers, and project managers.
  • Teamwork & Leadership: Ability to lead a field crew and collaborate effectively within a larger project team.
  • Time Management: Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and meet project deadlines.
  • Physical Stamina: Capable of working outdoors for extended periods in various weather conditions and on rugged terrain.
  • Adaptability: Flexible and able to adjust to changing project requirements and site conditions.
  • Safety Consciousness: A strong commitment to maintaining a safe work environment for oneself and the team.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED, combined with significant, direct experience and technical training.
  • An Associate of Science (A.S.) degree is often required.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Surveying and Geomatics
  • Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology
  • Construction Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-10 years of progressive experience in land surveying, with a demonstrable focus on transportation, heavy civil, or large-scale infrastructure projects.

Preferred:

  • Possession of a Land Surveyor in Training (LSIT) or Certified Survey Technician (CST) certification is highly desirable.
  • A Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license in the state of operation is a significant advantage.
  • Prior experience leading a survey field crew and managing daily field operations is strongly preferred.
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