What You'll Do

  • Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
  • Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
  • Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
  • Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
  • Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.
  • Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
  • Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
  • Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.
  • Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
  • Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects.

Essential Skills

Mathematics 4.0/5
Reading Comprehension 3.88/5
Writing 3.75/5
Critical Thinking 3.75/5
Speaking 3.62/5
Active Listening 3.5/5
Coordination 3.5/5
Active Learning 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5
Learning Strategies 3.12/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.12/5
Time Management 3.12/5

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

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

Common styles

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

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Mathematical Reasoning 4.0/5
Written Expression 3.88/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Oral Comprehension 3.75/5
Oral Expression 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Autodesk AutoCAD Land Desktop Bentley GeoPak Bridge Bentley MicroStation Bentley Systems InRoads Suite Cadcorp desktop GIS Carlson SurvCADD Carlson SurvCE Carlson Survey CE SURVEYOR III CloudWorks CMT Incorporated CogoCAD Computer aided design and drafting software CADD Crones & Associations Project Tracker Pro Cyclone Data logging software Data transfer software Drafting software ESRI ArcGIS software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.9/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.8/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.7/5)
  • Persistence (High importance: 4.25/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.15/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

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

City Surveyor Construction Surveyor County Surveyor Field Surveyor Geophysical Prospecting Surveyor Health Facilities Surveyor Home Surveyor Insurance Loss Control Surveyor Land Examiner Land Measurer Land Surveyor Licensed Land Surveyor Licensed Surveyor Loss Control Surveyor Mine Surveyor Mineral Surveyor Port Surveyor Professional Land Surveyor Project Surveyor Railroad Surveyor Registered Land Surveyor Registered Professional Land Surveyor Registered Public Surveyor Site Surveyor Solar Site Surveyor Staff Land Surveyor State Surveyor Survey Engineer Surveyor Topographical Surveyor