Senior Surveyor/ Survey Technician

Davis Ogilvie & Partners; Richmond; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional Development

Wellbeing programme / Health insurance

Carbon zero commitment

Strong team culture

Job summary

Davis Ogilvie & Partners in Richmond, South Island, is seeking an experienced Surveyor or Survey Technician to join our Nelson team. You will work on cadastral, engineering and topographical surveys with GNSS, robotic total stations, and surveying software across the Tasman region.

You will lead projects, mentor staff, and collaborate with engineers, environmental scientists, and planners while delivering accurate, practical survey solutions for our clients.

Qualifications

• Five+ years' land surveying experience.
• Bachelor of Surveying or equivalent.
• Strong communication with clients and authorities.
• Experience with cadastral, engineering and topographic surveys.

Responsibilities

• Lead cadastral and engineering survey projects from inception to completion.
• Prepare and lodge datasets via Land Online and ensure LINZ standards.
• Undertake boundary definitions and topographic surveys.
• Collaborate with civil, geotech, structural teams and environmental scientists.
• Engage with clients, contractors and local authorities throughout projects.
• Apply GNSS, total stations and UAV/scanning tools to support outcomes.
• Mentor junior survey staff and manage own workflow.

Job description

Davis Ogilvie & Partners – Richmond, South Island

Davis Ogilvie has a 90-year history of helping to develop communities throughout the South Island. Covering civil, geotechnical and structural engineering, land surveying, resource management and environmental science, Davis Ogilvie has built a strong reputation for collaborative, practical, and high‑quality solutions for our clients.

We’re on the lookout for an experienced Surveyor or Survey Technician to join our busy Nelson team and support our growing work across the wider Tasman region. You’ll work on a mix of cadastral, engineering and topographical surveys using modern GNSS, Robotic Total Station and survey software. While much of your work will be focused around Nelson and Tasman, there will also be opportunities to assist on South Island‑wide projects.

This is a great opportunity for a capable survey professional who enjoys variety, autonomy and the chance to make a visible contribution in a regional setting. You’ll have the backing of an established South Island consultancy while helping to grow and strengthen our surveying presence throughout the Nelson/ Tasman region.

Who you are…

You are an enthusiastic and motivatedLicensed Cadastral Surveyor(or a senior surveyor working towards your license, or a senior technician) who enjoys delivering practical solutions and working closely with clients, contractors, and local authorities.

You thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and enjoy contributing to projects that range from green field residential developments, through to commercial and industrial sites, and larger infrastructure projects.

You are confident managing your own workload and enjoy working in a dynamic, energetic consulting environment where initiative, technical capability, and strong communication skills are valued.

Your purpose…

In this role, you will help lead the delivery of surveying projects across the wider Tasman region, providing technical strength and a reliable local presence for our clients. Working alongside civil, structural and geotechnical engineers, environmental scientists, surveyors and planners, you will contribute to a broad range of projects at the top of the South Island. This is a key role for someone with sound surveying experience, strong communication skills and the confidence to manage projects, support clients and deliver accurate, practical survey solutions.

Your daily adventures will include…

Leading and managing cadastral and engineering survey projects from inception to completion.

Preparing and lodging datasets vialandonlineand ensuring compliance with LINZ standards.

Undertaking boundary definitions, topographic surveys, and construction set‑outs.

Collaborating with our multidisciplinary teams to provide surveying support for civil, geotech, structural, and environmental projects.

Engaging with clients, contractors, and Councilthroughout the project lifecycle.

Applying 3d design tools and modern survey technology (GNSS, total stations, and UAV/scanning) to support project outcomes.

Mentoring junior surveying staff and managing your own workflow to deliver high‑quality results.

To be successful in this role you will ideally…

Have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in land surveying and hold a Bachelor of Surveying (BSurv)or similar.

Be a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor (LCS) with a current practising certificate or be an experienced senior surveyor working towards licensing, or experienced survey technician.

Be experienced with survey software such as 12d Model, AutoCAD, or Civil 3D.

Have experience with land development design and contract management.

Have a strong understanding of the Cadastral Survey Rules, the RMA, and land development codes.

Demonstrate strong English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Be able to manage your time effectively and take ownership of the surveying division’s local output.

Bring a positive, fun, and outgoing personality to a collaborative team environment.

What we offer…

We offer the opportunity to work within a long‑established and highly respected South Island consultancy, delivering a diverse range of surveying and engineering projects. You will be supported by experienced professionals across multiple disciplines while enjoying autonomy, variety and the chance to help shape our local surveying presence. Davis Ogilvie offers excellent remuneration, ongoing professional development and a strong commitment to maintaining a healthy work–life balance.

Why DO is a great place for you to work…

Our people are key to the success of our business. We are skilled technical experts who are passionate about what we do, and we take pride in being friendly, supportive, diverse and inclusive. We place a high priority on creating a positive work environment, while delivering a wide range of projects from residential and commercial developments through to roading and infrastructure projects.

We have three offices who work closely together on projects throughout the South Island. This will give you the opportunity to work with colleagues from our other offices on exciting projects within the regions.

In addition to working with a team of great people, you can also expect the following benefits:

• Professional Development – We encourage our staff to keep learning and growing. We will cover the cost of relevant memberships and subscriptions and provide opportunity for meeting CPD requirements with a range of inhouse and external courses throughout the year.
• Wellbeing – We offer Subsidised Health Insurance through Southern Cross, access to our online wellbeing programme, paid entry into various sports events and 24/7 EAP services.
• Environmental – We care about the environment and the communities where we live and work and supporting them is important to us. We are a carbon zero company with a focus on minimising our impact as much as possible. We also give hands on help, raising awareness and money for causes that make a difference in New Zealander’s lives. Readmoreabout what we get up to here - https://do.co.nz/about-us/we-care/.
• Fun – DO has a uniquely positive and inclusive work culture due to our flat structure that means you will work closely with our leadership team. From frequent social events and various work functions, you will quickly feel part of the DO family. Meet the teamhere - https://do.co.nz/our-people/.
• History – Davis Ogilvie has been established in the South Island for over 90 years and is locally owned and operated. You will work side by side with the company directors and other staff with an abundance of knowledge and experience.

All applications, including a full curriculum vitae and covering letter, will be treated in the strictest of confidence and should be directed to: