Survey Crew Chief

About the role

The Survey Crew Chief leads field surveying activities for a wide variety of public and private land development projects, including airports, highways, municipal work, and commercial and residential developments. This role performs topographic, boundary, and utility surveys to determine precise 3D positions, distances, angles, and elevations for land, parking lots, and buildings. The Survey Crew Chief ensures accurate collection and recording of field data that drafters and designers use to create new buildings, infrastructure, and site plans. The position offers the opportunity to work on local projects as well as occasional out-of-state industrial construction staking assignments with all travel-related expenses covered.

Responsibilities

• Perform topographic, boundary, and utility surveys to determine numeric measurements and elevations for land development, parking lots, and buildings.
• Collect and record accurate 3D positions of specific points, including distances and angles between building corners and land elevations.
• Scan, plot, and measure points to create comprehensive surveying plans for customers.
• Accurately calculate, document, and verify field data for use by drafters and designers.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain survey equipment to ensure reliable and precise measurements.
• Demonstrate a high level of accuracy, quality, and thoroughness in all surveying tasks and documentation.
• Maintain budget and productivity standards while maintaining quality and safety.
• Operate, maintain, and organize survey trucks and associated field equipment.
• Maintain strong safety awareness and arrive prepared for field work every day.
• Generate suggestions for improving workflow, efficiency, and cost savings within the surveying operations.
• Support construction staking and layout activities for industrial and land development projects, including out-of-state assignments when needed.
• Collaborate with office staff, drafters, designers, and project teams to ensure field data meets project requirements.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience working as a Survey Crew Chief.
• Hands-on experience with construction staking and construction layout.
• Strong field surveying skills in topography, boundary, and utility surveys.
• Proficiency in operating and calibrating survey equipment.
• Ability to accurately calculate, record, and verify field data.
• Demonstrated ability to meet budget and productivity standards while maintaining quality.
• Strong safety awareness and consistent preparedness for daily field work.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Essential Skills

• Experience with AutoCAD for survey and land development projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Technology.
• Experience with Civil 3D or MicroStation CAD software.
• Knowledge of LiDAR and its application in surveying.
• Experience with construction layout and construction stakeout on a variety of project types, including airports, highways, and municipal work.
• Experience with construction staking and layout on a variety of project types, including airports, highways, and municipal work.
• Ability to travel out of state for 2–3 week assignments for construction staking industrial projects, with travel and per diem provided.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to propose workflow and cost-saving improvements.
• Ability to work both independently in the field and collaboratively with project teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with AutoCAD for survey and land development projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Technology.
• Experience with Civil 3D or MicroStation CAD software.
• Knowledge of LiDAR and its application in surveying.
• Experience with construction layout and construction stakeout on a variety of project types, including airports, highways, and municipal work.
• Experience with construction staking and layout on a variety of project types, including airports, highways, and municipal work.
• Ability to travel out of state for 2–3 week assignments for construction staking industrial projects, with travel and per diem provided.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to propose workflow and cost-saving improvements.
• Ability to work both independently in the field and collaboratively with project teams.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position typically requiring 40–50 hours per week. The Survey Crew Chief spends approximately 70% of the time in the field and 30% in the office. Each day generally begins by driving to the main office, then joining a crew in a company truck to travel to project sites. The role supports a variety of public and private projects, including airports, highway and transportation work, municipal projects, apartment complexes, and industrial construction staking assignments, including occasional out-of-state travel with covered travel expenses and per diem. The primary office environment is modern, well-maintained, and up to date, with around 60 team members, a large kitchen space, and multiple conference rooms that support collaboration and project work. The culture emphasizes teamwork, independence, and employee ownership, offering a collaborative and creative atmosphere with activities such as holiday office decorating, Halloween costumes, casual Fridays, and an annual bring-kids-to-work day. The organization is 100% employee-owned, fostering a sense of ownership and long-term commitment among team members.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rochester Hills, MI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $36.00/hr.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.