What You'll Do

  • Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
  • Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
  • Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.
  • Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.
  • Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.
  • Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.
  • Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.
  • Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.
  • Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.
  • Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 3.88/5
Critical Thinking 3.38/5
Writing 3.25/5
Mathematics 3.25/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Speaking 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.12/5
Active Learning 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Social Perceptiveness 2.88/5
Persuasion 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cooperation, Analytical Thinking, Integrity

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Written Comprehension 3.75/5
Near Vision 3.5/5
Oral Comprehension 3.38/5
Oral Expression 3.38/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.38/5
Written Expression 3.25/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.25/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.25/5

Technologies & Tools

3D Nature LLC Visual Nature Studio 3D Nature LLC World Construction Set Adobe Acrobat Writer Adobe FreeHand MX Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Autodesk 3d Studio Viz Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk AutoCAD Blue Sky Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D Autodesk CAiCE Visual Transportation Autodesk Land Desktop Bentley GeoPak Bridge Bentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite Bentley MicroStation Bentley Systems InRoads Suite CARIS HIPS CARIS SIPS Carlson SurvCADD

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.64/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.25/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.04/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.02/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.01/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Aerial Photograph Interpreter Aerotriangulation Specialist Assessment Technician Ax Survey Worker CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician) Cartographic Aide Cartographic Drafter Cartographic Technician Cartography Technician Chain Carrier Chainman Compass Operator Drafting Technician Draftsman Engineering Assistant Field Crew Member Field Map Technician Field Survey Technician Field Technician (Field Tech) Geodetic Computator Geophysical Prospecting Surveying Technician Geospatial Analyst GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator) GIS Mapping Technician (Geographic Information Systems Mapping Technician) GIS Specialist (Geographic Information Systems Specialist) Instrument Man (I-Man) Instrument Operator Instrument Person Instrument Rodman Instrumentation Technician Land Survey Technician Land Surveying Survey Worker Levelman Map Compiler Map Drafter Map Editor Mapping Editor Mapping Specialist Mapping Technician Mineral Surveying Technician Mosaicist Photogrammetric Compilation Specialist Photogrammetric Stereo Compiler Photogrammetric Technician Plane Tableman Rodman Stake Driver Stake Setter Staker Stereo Compiler Stereo Map Plotter Operator Stereo Plotter Operator Stereoplotter Operator Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician) Survey Crew Member Survey Field Technician Survey Instrument Operator Survey Instrument Person Survey Rodman Survey Technician Surveying Crew Rodman Surveying Crew Stake Runner Surveying Technician Surveyor Surveyor Chain Helper Surveyor Helper Surveyor Instrument Assistant Surveyor Rod Helper Tax Map Technician Technical Illustrations Map Inker Topographic Computator Topographical Drafter Topography Technician Transit Man Transit Survey Worker Transit Worker Utility Mapping Technician