Professional Land Surveyor

About the Role

The Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) serves as a certified technical leader responsible for delivering high‑quality survey services, guiding project teams, and ensuring professional standards are met across all engagements. This role blends leadership, technical expertise, and client coordination, with opportunities to influence project strategy, mentor staff, and represent the organization within the surveying profession.

Responsibilities

• Certifies own surveys and oversees the work of technical staff to ensure accuracy, compliance, and professional integrity.
• Leads survey crews on medium to large engagements, providing direction, problem‑solving, and quality oversight.
• Manages personal workload and advises technical staff on project tasks, priorities, and expectations.
• Serves as a key point of coordination between clients, contractors, and internal teams to maintain alignment and resolve issues.
• Assists with proposal development, project scoping, and participation in client interviews.
• Actively participates in professional associations and attends local, regional, and national industry events.
• Trains staff on advanced surveying tasks, methods, and professional practices.
• Controls scope, schedule, and budget for small to medium‑sized projects or defined elements of larger work.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional land surveying experience.
• PLS credential with authority to make professional boundary determinations.
• Ability to obtain a South Dakota PLS license within the required timeframe.
• Demonstrated knowledge of land surveying principles and ability to independently perform assignments on complex projects.
• Viewed as a technical leader by peers and coworkers.
• Effective listener with well‑organized communication skills.
• Experience leading small and medium tasks, developing scopes, and contributing to project schedules.
• Ability to manage workload to meet commitments and deliver high‑quality results on time.
• Strong self‑awareness, achievement orientation, and commitment to creating a positive team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience mentoring and developing technical staff.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills across multidisciplinary teams.
• Active involvement in professional organizations and industry events.
• Ability to anticipate project needs and proactively address challenges.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk up to 10 miles on uneven terrain.
• May require lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, with rare lifting of up to 75 pounds.
• Perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs as well as moving the whole body such as running, maneuvering, climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Drive and navigate vehicles or mechanized equipment including but not limited to all-terrain vehicles or water craft.
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Use hands and arms to handle, install, position, and manipulate or move materials.
• Service, repair, calibrate, regulate, fine-tune, or test machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily based on electrical or electronic principles.
• May be required to wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including but not limited to, flame resistant clothing, hard hat, and protective footwear.

Benefits

• 100-percent paid Family Health Insurance.
• 100-percent paid Employee Dental, Short- & Long-Term Disability, and Vision Insurance.
• Discretionary Bonus Plan.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Matching 401(k) Contributions.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) Credits for Past Experience.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Wellness Program.