The Insider’s Guide to Careers in Land Survey

Explore Land Surveying Jobs

If you’re someone who loves spending time outdoors, using cutting-edge technology, meeting new people, and working with your hands, land surveying is the career for you. As a land surveyor, you can have the exciting opportunity to help first-time homebuyers, small and large-scale businesses, and other property owners alleviate disputes, pinpoint foundation issues, and create long-term improvements. Whether you’re surveying an underground tunnel, pipeline river crossing, or major highway system, you will help individuals remain proactive in making the right land development decisions and ensure the safety of communities across America.

Are you ready to make a difference and get hands-on in the field of land surveying?

What is Land Surveying?

Land surveying involves measuring distances between different points, angles, and heights on the ground. This data is presented in reports, drawings, or plats which showcase various parcels of land. Land surveying is especially useful if you’re planning to build, subdivide your property, or install utilities. Professionals conduct an extensive amount of research, record field notes, calculations, and map the land with computer-aided design (CAD) software to better understand property boundaries and topographic features to later be compiled in a report for the owner. Additionally, land surveying may take a few hours to a few months to complete depending on conditions and the overall size of the project. From 3D surveying to using advanced technology like drones and survey robots, thinking outside of the box is a crucial element to working in the field as stated by Senior Crew Chief Randy Decker.

To precisely collect data, land surveyors use innovative machinery and strategic methods to safely approach each project. Whether they’re conducting mobile LiDAR mapping for miles of underground railways, using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to access information that may be difficult to reach, or providing Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) services to plan for new construction, land surveyors are responsible for making the best decision for each project.

Furthermore, individuals may use land surveyor services to learn more about legal boundaries of a piece of land, identify property lines, verify size if selling property, prevent encroachments between others, and categorize land by a process called zoning. As a land surveyor, it is your job to help determine the best course of action for a homebuyer, seller, or business owner.

Types of Land Survey

American Land Title Association (ALTA) or mortgage survey

It is necessary to obtain comprehensive title insurance for any property as a buyer, seller, or owner.

As-built Survey

Documents project completion results, confirm any changes made to proposed plan, and details explanation of changes.

Boundary Survey

Document used to define the limits of a property or parcel of land legally.

Monitoring Survey

Monitors building movement and distances of structures over time.

Subdivision Survey

Involves dividing a parcel of land into smaller parts for development.

Topographic Survey

Documents the dimension of any manmade or natural feature of a parcel of land.

Career Paths Within Land Surveying

Throughout the day, land surveyors may find themselves working on a variety of sites and unique project types, enabling them to use advanced technologies and exercise diverse skillsets that make their job both fun and exciting.

Aerial Surveys

Gathers information and images of land using aero planes and helicopters.

Archaeological Surveys

Studies of past human activity and cultures in different sites.

Hydrographic Surveys

Measures bodies of water to support marine construction.

Land Surveys

Measures distances between different points, angles, and heights on the ground.

Mining Surveys

Utilize tools, technology, and methods to record data for mines.

Property Surveys

Determine legal boundaries and measure land features.

LiDAR Survey

Uses lasers and 3D modeling for topographic maps, data collection, and measurement of the earth’s surface.

Pipeline Survey

Focuses on strategic placements and maintenance of underground pipelines.

Rail Survey

Collects data on railway infrastructure using LiDAR and GPS to design efficient railway structures

Scanning Survey

Uses 3D laser scanning to gather spatial data and point clouds of the environment.

Candidates seeking to be in an administrative role within land surveying are required to have a high school diploma, however, it is recommended by the Human Resources team that you obtain a two or four degree in higher education to excel your career path as a land surveyor at Colliers Engineering & Design and become eligible for licensure.

Furthering Your Education in Land Surveying

To become a land surveyor, it is recommended that you pursue a bachelor’s degree in land surveying, geomatics, or surveying and mapping which are considered the best degrees to qualify for survey positions. In addition, it is advised that entry-level surveyors work alongside a licensed surveyor and receive training in either an internship or apprenticeship to gain hands-on experience. Entry-level surveyors typically begin as surveying technicians which require a high school diploma, rising technology skills, or possess further experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

As an entry-level land surveyor, you can expect to assist in data collection and analysis in addition to report preparation. As a mid-senior level surveyor, you can be expected to update survey drawings or navigation charts, maintain current and historical land ownership records, and examine survey returns.

While it is not required, obtaining your master’s degree in land surveying is an excellent way to advance in the field, earn higher compensation, and expand career path options. Should you decide to move forward, coursework can be completed both online and in-person. Once you obtain your master’s degree you can have the opportunity to work as a photogrammetrist, cartographer, or land use planner.

As recommended by Justin Sheffer, Talent Acquisition Specialist II at Colliers Engineering & Design, candidates may also pursue a degree in the following fields:

• Engineering technology
• Civil Engineering Technology
• Environmental

How to Become a Professional Surveyor

If you’re thinking about pursuing your career in land surveying, here are some steps to get started:

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as surveying/mapping, civil engineering, or geomatics
2. Pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) license exam
3. Gain professional work experience in land surveying
4. Pass the Professional Surveyor (PS) license exam (PS licensure requires at least four years of experience working with a licensed surveyor before you’re eligible to take the exam)
5. Obtain your surveyor’s license through your state

Survey Technician Certification Program

The Certified Survey Technician program (CST) is a comprehensive national certification program for survey technicians. Four levels of certification are offered in two primary tracks – field and office.

Office Track

Level 1: No experience › Entry-level position

Level 2: Minimum 1.5 years total experience › Computer Operator

Level 3: Minimum 3.5 years total experience › Chief Computer Operator

Level 4: Minimum 5.5 years total experience › Survey Office Manager

Field Track

Level 1: No experience › Entry-level position

Level 2: Minimum 1.5 years total experience › Instrument Person

Level 3: Minimum 3.5 years total experience › Party Chief: Boundary or Construction

Level 4: Minimum 5.5 years total experience › Survey Field Manager

Work Hours and Environment as a Land Surveyor

Land surveyors work a 40-hour work week both in the office and outdoors. They may be exposed to inclement weather and a wide variety of terrain types requiring workers to always wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep themselves and field crew members safe. Moreover, lifting heavy objects and equipment, walking, and standing for long periods of time are required so having good stamina as a land surveyor is essential.

A typical workday for land surveyors like Senior Crew Chief Randy Decker varies from day to day. Whether you’re conducting a boundary survey yourself or working alongside other crew members, workdays may end earlier or later in the day. However, land surveyors can expect to work from 6AM-4PM. “I enjoy surveying because it offers me drastically different work environments. At the beginning of the week, I could be in the woods chasing down a 100-year-old stone wall boundary line, and by weeks end I could be laying out steel for a 20- story state-of-the-art hospital” says Decker.

Skills To Accelerate Your Success as a Land Surveyor

To be a land surveyor, candidates must demonstrate leadership, visualization, problem solving, technical knowledge, fieldwork expertise, and a diverse range of skillsets to succeed. As recommended by Justin Sheffer, Talent Acquisition Specialist II from Colliers Engineering & Design, some of the additional skillsets needed to be a land surveyor include:

• Personability
• Motivation
• Comfort with processes

It is also helpful to have growing technology skills and/or be familiarized with CAD software, Microstation, Civil 3D, and knowledge of LiDAR. Colliers Engineering & Design offers an array of AutoCAD and Civil3D training resources, courses, and study materials at your disposal to help you succeed.  Moreover, prior experience working in an outdoors setting, home remodeling, or construction boosts land survey candidate opportunities.

How Much Do Land Surveyors Get Paid?

Depending on your experience and the region that you live in, compensation as a land surveyor may vary from person to person. Land surveying jobs are in-demand, lucrative, stable, and high-paying fulfilling careers.

Why Choose Colliers Engineering & Design?

As a member of our team, you can  advance within the company and acquire multidisciplinary skillsets with the guidance of mentors and experts within land surveying. At Colliers Engineering & Design, we stand behind the philosophy that by working together, staying curious, and doing what’s right, we can achieve exceptional work experiences and accelerate the success of our communities, clients, and people. No matter if you’re traveling across the country or meeting with other team leaders in the field, there are plenty of exciting opportunities for you to grow personally and professionally in the land surveying discipline.

“I enjoy being involved in all phases of a project and seeing it grow from nothing into something” says Decker. Whether it be the Poughkeepsie hospital, a microchip plant, or the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York, Randy takes pride in the work that he does each day. Additionally, he loves traveling to different parts of the country and having the opportunity to mentor other team members to help accelerate their success in the field.

Apply today for Colliers Engineering and Design

At Colliers Engineering & Design, we offer an array of remote positions, full-time job opportunities, and an engaging internship program tailored to meet your personal and professional goals. We also offer flexible working schedules, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, health coverage, mentorship programs, and 401K plans to benefit you and your needs.

As construction and land development continue to rise, so do the demand for land surveyors and their expertise. Colliers Engineering & Design sets you up with the tools needed for long-term success, support, and multidisciplinary growth no matter what stage of life you’re in.

Apply today to discover your next exciting career path in land surveying.

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