MightyRecruiterSurveying technicians assist surveyors by working on-site to measure and record data about the Earth’s surface. They must be able to operate specialized surveying tools and machinery as well as read and interpret the data supplied.
When you write your surveying technician job description, remember to include the fact that people in this position will spend most of their working hours outdoors in all conditions. Depending on what your survey team requires, you should state whether this is an entry-level position that includes on-the-job training or if certification or previous experience is required.
Surveying technicians should also have solid concentration and decision-making skills. To learn more about what to include and what to leave out, study the surveying technician job description sample below.
Surveying Technician Job Summary
Are you interested in the field of surveying and mapping? Does taking precise measurements and accurately recording data about the Earth fascinate you? Our firm is seeking a surveying technician to travel from site to site as part of a 12-person survey party, working outdoors in rugged terrain. This entry-level job will take you off the beaten path all over the Western states. You will learn the ins and outs of surveying and basic mapping skills under the direction of experienced surveyors. If you are detail-oriented, have a background in computer science, math or mechanical drawing, this may be the position for you.
Job Responsibilities
- Search, locate and recover existing survey markers, including stones and property irons, and set out stakes and other markers
- Compile and verify preexisting data from photographs, previous surveys, maps, deeds, legal descriptions and other sources
- Lay out grids and position rods, operate measuring instruments, including theodolites, prisms and electronic tools
- Record data using electronic devices, image-capturing software, drawings and detailed notes, and double-check for accuracy
- Inventory and maintain equipment for use by survey party, including vehicles, electronics and brush-cutting tools
- Use a plotter to accurately plot data and Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) software to create technical drawings for topographical and boundary surveys
- Work in collaboration with other members of the survey party, taking direction from the lead surveyor and instructing and assisting subordinates but working independently when needed
- Clear brush and transport tools and materials over uneven terrain, and retrieve stakes, rebar and other miscellaneous materials from the site at the end of each project
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- High school diploma (or equivalent)
- Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds on a daily basis
- Strong computation, geometry and trigonometry skills
Preferred:
- Proficiency in CAD, Trimble GPS and Civil 3D
- Two or more years of experience as a surveying technician
Surveying Technician Job Responsibilities
Resumes and job descriptions are similar in that the heftiest parts of both documents are the sections that explain daily duties and obligations of a person in the position. For a resume, this is the work experience section, and for a job description like our surveying technician job description, it is the job responsibilities section.
Just as you would not hire an applicant with lackluster work experience, jobseekers are less likely to apply for jobs that do not have quality job responsibilities sections. The surveying technician job responsibilities can make or break your job posting. If it does not capture the attention of jobseekers or has an unprofessional tone, you will miss out on quality applicants. You want to use a list of bullet points to describe the job so that it is clear, and you want to begin each line with a strong action verb so applicants can imagine themselves in the role.
Here are some responsibilities to help with writing your surveying technician job description:
- Travel to locations to survey the area and record data
- Assist chief surveyor in documenting sites and data points
- Set up and take down equipment as required
- Enter recorded data into computers for future use
Surveying Technician Job Specifications
The job qualifications and skills section details the requirements that the applicant ought to possess before even applying for the job. This section is crucial in the surveying technician job description because it ensures that jobseekers know what you are looking for in an employee, so they can decide for themselves if they are fit for the position. This way, no one has their time wasted with under- or overqualified applicants trying to get a position that simply is not right for them.
You ought to break up this part of your surveying technician job description into two sections of required and preferred qualifications you would like applicants to possess. To create the most accurate list, meet with hiring managers, current surveying technicians and chief surveyors. This method ensures that your list is thorough and accurate as to what will your organization expects of newly hired employees.
Below are possible surveying technician job specifications that you can use to inspire your own job posting:
- High school diploma or equivalent degree
- Postsecondary training in surveying or mapping technology
- At least 2 years’ experience as a surveying or mapping technician
- Strong mathematics skills, specifically geometry, trigonometry and algebra
- Thorough understanding of surveying equipment to be able to solve technical issues should they arise
