Surveyors are responsible for making precise measurements of topographical features and areas to determine property boundaries and assist in mapping projects. They also create reports, plots, maps and other land records as needed to support construction projects, government records and legal issues related to property boundaries.
When you are writing your surveyor job description, make sure to include the appropriate educational requirements, such as a degree in surveying, mapping or civil engineering. Each state has specific licensing requirements for surveyors that usually include a specific amount of practical work experience and the passing of written examinations.
A professional surveyor must possess a strong understanding of math and know how to use specialized tools. Most projects require a good deal of physical exertion as well as excellent visualization skills. Use the professional surveyor job description template below to find additional requirements to include in your job listing.
Surveyor Job Summary
Do you want a career beyond the traditional office that allows you to work outdoors, address interesting challenges and find creative solutions to meet project requirements? We are looking for an experienced surveyor to join our team and provide highly detailed maps and reports to both government agencies and commercial clients. You will have the chance to utilize state-of-the-art field equipment and CAD software and work with a dedicated and diverse team of civil engineers, drafters and construction personnel. We encourage our employees to cultivate a high level of collaboration through a laid-back work environment and flexible hours, and we offer our team members competitive pay and opportunities for continuing education and career advancement.
Job Responsibilities
- Measure and record precise distances and angles on, above or below the land surface, including boundary points, topographical features and other designated markers
- Use a variety of modern surveying equipment, manual recording, computer-aided drafting programs and databases to collect and record data of geological areas according to project requirements
- Research historical maps, land records, previous survey results and land title information as needed to compare and verify current measurements and resolve questions of boundary lines
- Create reports and maps according to customer or project requirements containing information from field measurements, boundary markers and topographical features
- Prepare two-dimensional maps and three-dimensional computer renderings of property features, such as boundary lines, geological points of interest, existing structures, water features and utility lines
- Follow accepted legal procedures to establish official land and water boundaries for government agencies, real estate developers and private parties to be used during property sales, leases and disputes
- Communicate with architects, engineers and construction personnel as needed during land development projects to verify geological and property boundary data and contribute to building design as needed
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- Bachelor’s degree in surveying or civil engineering
- Professional Land Surveying license
- Excellent problem-solving skills and understanding of mapping concepts
- Self-motivated with good time management and ability to work outdoors and walk as needed
- Experience with computer drafting programs
Preferred:
- Proficient with AutoCAD Civil 3D and Trimble GPS
Surveyor Job Responsibilities
The responsibilities section of your surveyor job description is one of the most important of your entire description because it helps candidates understand what you expect out of them if offered the open position. For this reason, you should carefully craft this section with the most important tasks required of the job and leave out any information that does not pertain to what the position requires on a day-to-day basis.
Plan on including between six and eight responsibilities in your surveyor job description so candidates get a better feel for what they’ll be doing every day without feeling inundated by information. Keep this section to the point, and start off each entry with a strong action verb. This way, jobseekers can easily visualize what you expect out of them simply by reading through the responsibilities you include.
Here are a few good examples of surveyor job responsibilities to include in your job description:
Prepare maps, reports and legal descriptions of surveys to certify all work performedUse calculations and data to verify the accuracy of survey information collected in the fieldConduct surveys to establish legal boundaries based on property titles and deeds Write property boundary descriptions for use in legal documents, such as deeds
Surveyor Job Specifications
You have a robust list of requirements for your surveyor job description, and you need those professional requirements to be carefully outlined so candidates know exactly what qualifications they need for consideration for the job. Even though this section is short, it serves as the first line of defense for weeding out candidates who do not qualify for the job so you don’t spend unnecessary time looking over resumes from jobseekers who don’t qualify or do not seem like a good fit for your company.
To ensure the hiring process goes as smoothly as possible, ask everyone involved for their input as you draft the specifications section of your surveyor job description. You should also make sure all those involved understand what your required qualifications are for the open position and which are merely preferred.
Use these surveyor job specifications in your own job description:
Extensive knowledge of surveying techniques and software commonly used in the industryAt least five years of experience working as a land surveyorAbility to conduct surveys and draft the proper reports in a timely mannerOrganized and personable with the ability to carefully focus on singular tasks Experience with boundary surveys and writing legal descriptions for commercial and residential locations