Survey Instrument Operator

About the role

The Survey Instrument Operator performs a wide range of field surveying assignments and supports the Survey Party Chief in conducting land surveys for roads, bridges, and building sites. This role focuses on establishing and re-establishing construction stakeout lines, easement and property lines, recovering property corners, setting traverse control points for boundary surveys, and placing and marking stakes for construction projects. The position is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on outdoor work, precise measurements, and contributing to infrastructure and site development projects.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Survey Party Chief with land surveys of roads, bridges, and building sites, ensuring accurate and reliable field data collection.
• Establish and re-establish lines for construction stakeout surveys, easements, and property boundaries.
• Recover property corners and set traverse control points for boundary and construction surveys.
• Set and clearly mark stakes for construction stakeout projects in accordance with project specifications.
• Set up and operate survey equipment, including data collectors, levels, GPS units, and total stations, to perform all aspects of stakeout and location surveys.
• Load, maintain, and operate field equipment such as Total Station, data collector, level, magnetic locator, hand-held radios, and other survey tools.
• Download data collector files each afternoon, organize collected data, and complete reports in the downloaded job files book.
• Maintain field supply inventory, including stakes, pins, nails, flagging, and other materials needed for daily survey operations.
• Perform general field duties such as chaining, hub driving, setting up prisms, giving sights, and carrying tools and supplies.
• Open manholes and other inlet structures as needed to obtain survey information and measurements.
• Perform physical tasks such as digging and cutting brush to access survey points and maintain clear lines of sight.
• Conduct topographic, boundary, construction, highway, transportation, ALTA, and hydrographic surveys as directed, using appropriate equipment and methods.
• Use drone image capturing software and topographic mapping tools as needed to support survey projects.
• Accurately record, verify, and report survey results, ensuring data integrity and consistency.
• Travel between project sites with the Party Chief in a company vehicle and support site-to-site survey operations.
• Adhere to safety procedures and company policies while working outdoors in varying environmental conditions.
• Work collaboratively with team members and participate in a positive, team-oriented culture.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or GED.
• 1+ years of surveying experience preferred, including land surveying, transportation surveys, and use of surveying equipment.
• Hands-on experience operating surveying equipment such as Trimble and Leica instruments, total stations, data collectors, levels, magnetic locators, hand-held radios, GPS units, and Topcon equipment.
• Comfortable conducting land surveys of roads, bridges, and building sites, including work in varied outdoor environments and elements.
• Ability to accurately record, organize, and report survey data and results.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel 10–20% as needed, including travel throughout Virginia and surrounding states.
• Ability to pass drug and background checks.
• Physical ability to perform field tasks such as carrying equipment, digging, cutting brush, opening structures, and working on uneven terrain.

Work Environment

This is a field-focused role that involves working outdoors in all weather conditions and elements, not limited to sidewalk work but including roads, bridges, and building sites.

Benefits

• Free vision, dental, and life insurance
• Substantial coverage of health care insurance
• $900 contribution to a health savings account
• 4% 401(k) match
• Yearly boot allowance through a Red Wing account to cover steel-toed boots

Dress in the field typically requires appropriate safety gear and sturdy, steel-toed boots to support safe and comfortable work on active project sites.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $37,440.00 – $58,250.00 per year. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Schedule

This is a fully onsite position based out of Chantilly, VA.