Survey Party Chief

Locations: Harriman, TN; Carrollton, GA; Newnan, GA; Beech Island, SC | Posted: Aug 29, 2026 | Full-time, no relocation, no visa sponsorship

About the company

Black & Veatch is a 100% employee-owned engineering, procurement, consulting, and construction company with over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Employees share in the long-term success through stock ownership, and the culture emphasizes safety, ownership, collaboration, and hands-on growth across power, water, grid, and industrial markets.

Job Summary

The Survey Party Chief oversees land surveys, including planning studies, evaluating ground characteristics and construction site potential, and managing survey personnel. The role provides lead direction to the survey crew for exact measurements and site layout to support all disciplines, and delivers data on shape, contour, elevation, location, and dimension of land features for engineering and construction purposes.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform all principal duties of craft workers under supervision
• Utilize systems including Google Earth, BlueBeam Revu, Agtek
• Read and understand L1 Schedule and drawings
• Create models in Leica, Topcon, Trimble
• Become Drone Certified for TOPO
• Verify accuracy of survey data, measurements, and calculations at survey sites
• Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and terrain characteristics
• Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys
• Utilize AutoCAD to prepare or supervise preparation of data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents; import/export files including LN3; pull measurements for takeoffs
• Utilize Carlson GPS to set up a PD-10
• Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features
• Determine longitudes and latitudes of features and boundaries using N&E, transits, levels, and GPS
• Record survey results including shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions
• Coordinate findings with engineering, architectural personnel, clients, and project stakeholders
• Establish fixed points for mapping using geodetic and engineering instruments
• Train Instrumentmen, Rodmen, and helpers; direct their work in surveys and drafting
• Adjust surveying instruments to maintain accuracy
• Troubleshoot GPS connectivity issues with equipment
• Plan and conduct ground surveys to establish baselines, elevations, and geodetic measurements; perform site calibration/localization
• Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare proposals or direct proposal preparation
• Lead and support all safety processes and programs; engage team to achieve zero injuries; exercise stop-work authority when needed

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in industrial construction with layout or survey responsibilities, including some supervision experience
• Working knowledge of: mathematics for problem-solving and calculation verification; gathering physical survey data; documenting technical design details; using AutoCAD to overlay designs and check discrepancies; analyzing physical, survey, or geographic data; surveying land to measure features; creating maps; determining operational criteria; using BlueBeam for PDFs; coordinating with suppliers, contractors, clients, and other disciplines; directing surveying activities; training personnel on operational procedures; calculating geographic positions from survey data
• Must have all necessary tools (per Rod buster tool list)
• Ability to use tape measure and calculate decimals of a foot
• At least 18 years of age
• Ability to complete pre-employment onboarding: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, motor vehicle records search (per applicable laws)

Preferred Qualifications

• Drone certification with TOPO experience
• NCCER Site Layout
• NCCER Fundamentals of Crew Leadership
• NCCER Project Supervision
• NCCER Project Management
• OSHA 10
• OSHA 30

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Physical Demands

• Lift and carry heavy items up to 50 pounds
• Stand, kneel, bend, stoop, move, and walk long distances in confined, cluttered, and uneven areas
• See and hear naturally or with correction
• Full range of motion and flexibility
• Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls per set procedures
• Repetitive movement
• May require work above 5 feet in height
• Climb and maintain balance on steel framework, stairs, ladders, and scaffolds
• Work up to 12-hour shifts performing hard physical labor in varying temperature extremes and outdoor conditions

Work Environment

• Typical construction site: cramped spaces, awkward positions
• Exposure to very hot (above 90°F) or very cold (below 32°F) temperatures, inclement weather (dust, wind, snow, rain)
• Extremely bright or low lighting conditions
• Exposure to distracting or uncomfortable sounds and noise levels
• Work around hazardous equipment
• Typical office environment also required
• Position is safety-sensitive

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits portfolio including medical, dental, and vision insurance; disability and wellness programs; flexible work schedules; paid vacation, holiday, sick, and dependent sick time; company-matched 401(k); adoption and tuition reimbursement; vendor discounts; employment referral program; AD&D insurance; pre-tax accounts; voluntary legal plan; B&V Credit Union; performance-based bonus eligibility; and employee stock ownership through the 100% ESOP structure.