About This Career

Makes exact measurements and determines property boundaries. Provides data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster Design/Pre-Construction pathway.

A person in this career:

• Verifies the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
• Directs or conducts surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
• Prepares, or supervises preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
• Prepares and maintains sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
• Writes descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
• Searches legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
• Coordinates findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects.
• Establishes fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments.
• Calculates heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.
• Adjusts surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Judging how far away an object is, or which of several objects is closer or farther away
• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel