Chief Surveyor

Francis O Day Co., Inc; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Francis O Day Co., Inc. is seeking a Chief Surveyor to lead survey operations for heavy civil construction projects at Rockville, MD. You will ensure accurate control, layout, measurements, and survey data, coordinating crews and equipment to support schedules and safety.

The role involves reviewing plans, maintaining control networks, and guiding field teams to deliver work in accordance with plans and specifications, while upholding rigorous QA/QC and safety standards.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of surveying leadership experience.
• Experience with Trimble, CAD, MicroStation, and GPS modeling.
• Heavy civil construction experience in site development, grading, utilities, paving, or public works.
• Ability to interpret civil plans, profiles, cross-sections, and digital design files.
• Proficiency with total stations, GNSS/GPS, data collectors, construction layout, and machine-control workflows.
• Knowledge of coordinate systems, datums, benchmarks, traverses, leveling, calculations, and survey QC.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prioritize survey work across projects; review drawings, specifications, and site conditions.
• Establish and maintain horizontal and vertical control, benchmarks, reference points, and site control networks.
• Oversee construction layout for grading, utilities, drainage, paving, and structures.
• Verify line, grade, elevations, offsets, slopes, coordinates, and as-built data; resolve discrepancies.
• Coordinate staking, machine-control data, quantity surveys, progress measurements, and project closeout docs.
• Review survey notes, calculations, CAD and machine-control files, reports for accuracy.
• Manage survey equipment, software, calibration checks, maintenance, data security, and appropriate use of technology.
• Supervise and develop survey crews; assign work and provide technical guidance.
• Communicate survey needs and schedule risks to project managers and field personnel.
• Enforce safety requirements for PPE and active work zones.

Skills

Technical skills

Calculation

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Tools

Trimble

CAD

MicroStation

GPS modeling

Job description

Job Details

Location: Rockville, Maryland. Job Type: Full-time. Company: Francis O. Day Co., Inc. Pay Range: $115,000- $140,000 (Depending on experience and qualifications). Address: 850 East Gude Drive, suite A, Rockville, MD 20850. Phone: [phone]x110. Position: Chief Surveyor.

Department: Surveying / Construction operations. Reports To: VP Of Operations. Position Type: Full-Time.

Position Summary

The Chief Surveyor leads surveying operations for heavy civil construction projects, ensuring accurate control, layout, measurements, and survey data. This role coordinates crews and equipment, supports project schedules, and works with project management and field teams to deliver work safely and in accordance with plans and specifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and prioritize survey work across projects; review drawings, specifications, design files, and site conditions before work begins.


• Establish and maintain horizontal and vertical control, benchmarks, reference points, and site control networks.


• Oversee construction layout for grading, excavation, utilities, drainage, paving, structures, and related site work.


• Verify line, grade, elevations, offsets, slopes, stationing, coordinates, and as-built conditions; identify and resolve discrepancies promptly.


• Coordinate staking, machine-control data, quantity surveys, progress measurements, change-order support, and project closeout documentation.


• Review survey notes, calculations, CAD and machine-control files, reports, and deliverables for accuracy and completeness.


• Manage survey equipment, software, calibration checks, maintenance, data security, and appropriate use of technology.


• Supervise and develop survey crews; assign work, provide technical guidance, coordinate staffing and training, and monitor performance.


• Communicate survey needs, progress, design conflicts, and schedule risks to project managers, superintendents, engineers, and field personnel.


• Enforce company and site safety requirements, including PPE and safe work around traffic, heavy equipment, excavations, and active work zones.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of surveying experience, including leadership of construction survey operations.


• Experience with Trimble, CAD, MicroStation, and GPS modeling is necessary.


• Heavy civil construction experience in site development, grading, excavation, utilities, paving, or public works preferred.


• Ability to interpret civil plans, profiles, cross-sections, specifications, and digital design files.


• Proficiency with total stations, GNSS/GPS, data collectors, construction layout, and machine-control workflows.


• Knowledge of coordinate systems, datums, benchmarks, traverses, leveling, calculations, and survey quality control.


• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites. Licensure or additional credentials may be required for certain duties or jurisdictions.

Skills and Work Requirements

• Strong technical, calculation, problem-solving, leadership, communication, and organizational skills.


• High attention to detail; ability to manage multiple projects and changing field conditions.


• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather, walk uneven terrain, set up surveying equipment safely, wear required PPE, and work extended hours as project needs require.

Performance Expectations

Deliver accurate and timely survey support; maintain dependable control, layout, and records; reduce errors and rework; ensure appropriate equipment and data management; develop capable crews; and promote safe, quality-focused field practices.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Francis O Day Co. Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without discrimination based on characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.