Professional Land Surveyors

• Establish official land, air space, and water boundaries
• Write descriptions of land for deeds, leases, and other legal documents
• Define air space for airports
• Measure construction and mineral sites
• Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features
  

Surveying Technicians

• Assist Professional Land Surveyors by operating survey instruments and collecting information in the field
• Performing computations and computer-aided drafting in offices
  

Mapping Technicians

• Calculate mapmaking information from field notes
• Draw topographical maps and verify their accuracy

Professional Land Surveyors manage survey parties who measure distances, directions, and angles between points and elevations of points, lines, and contours on, above and below the earth's surface.  A typical survey party consists of a party chief and one or more surveying technicians and helpers.  The party chief may be a Professional Land Surveyor or a senior surveying technician.  The technicians assist the party chief by adjusting and operating surveying instruments, such as the theodolite, electronic distance-measuring equipment and levels to determine elevations.  The technicians also hold measuring tapes when electronic distance-measuring equipment is not used.  They compile notes, make sketches, and enter data obtained from surveying instruments into computers.  Survey parties may also include laborers or helpers who perform less-skilled duties such as clearing brush from sight lines, driving stakes, or carrying equipment.

 

Professional Land Surveyors and technicians engage in active, and sometimes strenuous, work.   They often stand for long periods, walk considerable distances, and climb hills with heavy packs of instruments and other equipment.  They can also be exposed to all types of weather.  Traveling is often part of the job.  They may commute long distances, stay overnight, or temporarily relocate near a survey site.  Surveyors can spend considerable time indoors planning surveys, analyzing data, and preparing reports and maps.

Surveyors  should have the ability to visualize objects, distances, sizes, and abstract forms.  They must work with precision and accuracy because mistakes can be costly.  Members of a survey party must be in good condition as their work outdoors often requires them carrying equipment over difficult terrain.  They need good eyesight, coordination, and hearing to communicate verbally and manually, using hand signals.  Surveying is a cooperative process, so good interpersonal skills and the ability to work as a team are important.  Good office skills are also essential.  Surveyors must be able to research old deeds and other legal documents and prepare reports that document their work.