District Survey Manager

Montana Department of Transportation; Great Falls (MT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana Department of Transportation in Great Falls seeks a District Survey Manager, a senior professional land surveyor, to direct district survey operations and oversee projects, procedures, and staff under the DPE.

The role requires a Montana PLS license, 4 years of experience with 1 year in supervision, and a valid Montana CDL Class A Type II; you will provide technical oversight and coordinate with the Helena section.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of survey systems and procedures.
• Experience with surveying data analysis and legal principles.
• Proficiency with major survey software tools.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee district land survey operations.
• Plan and manage district survey projects and procedures.
• Provide technical oversight and supervision of survey staff.
• Coordinate with MDT sections and consultants as needed.

Skills

Survey systems

Legal principles

Survey software

Data analysis

Education

Associate’s Degree in land surveying or geomatics

Registration as Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)

Tools

MicroStation

GeoPak

Open Roads

Trimble Business Center

Trimble Access

MS Office

Job description

Position Title

District Survey Manager

Description

Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is recruiting for a District Survey Manager in Great Falls. The District Survey Manager is a senior professional land surveyor (PLS) for the MDT. This position serves as the District’s technical authority responsible for directing and overseeing District land survey operations and activities. The position plans and manages District land survey projects; implements survey procedures and technology at the District level; directs and monitors survey projects; oversees District survey program operations (e.g. supplies, contracts, etc.); and provides technical expertise and consultation. The position reports to the District Preconstruction Engineer (DPE) and is under the technical oversight of the Helena Photogrammetry & Survey Section. This position provides in-line supervision to District Survey Unit staff; provides management and oversight of consultant term contract District survey work; and provides technical oversight to other District survey crews. The District Survey Manager is in responsible charge of all district survey work being performed under their PLS license.

For a full job description, please contact Sarah Peterson at [e-mail].

For information on the Montana Department of Transportation’s mission, vision, and values, please visit our website: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/about.aspx#values

Required Application Materials

• A resume detailing your qualifications and work history.


• A cover letter of no more than two pages addressing your qualifications for the position.

Required Education And Experience

• The required knowledge and skills are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to an Associate’s Degree in land surveying, geomatics or related field.


• This position requires a minimum of 4 years of experience, two of which must be progressively responsible professional land survey experience including experience with full project oversight. This position requires a minimum of 1 year of supervision or team lead experience.


• Certifications, licensure, or other credentials include: Registration as a Professional Land Surveyor is required.


• A valid Montana CDL (Class A, Type II) is required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• A thorough knowledge of survey systems, survey system development and the integration of different types of survey systems.


• Advanced knowledge in legal principles, guidelines, and precedents related to surveying (e.g., Montana Subdivision and Platting Act, Sanitation in Subdivisions Act, Uniform Standards for Monumentation, etc.); case law related to property boundaries; survey computation and data analysis; State and federal survey policy and procedures; and specialized applications of various instrumentation.


• Knowledge and experience with design, construction and survey software such as MicroStation, GeoPak, Open Roads, TDS Survey Pro, Microsoft Office, Trimble Business Center, Trimble Access, etc.


• A working knowledge of civil engineering principles, MDT engineering standards and specifications, project development, highway construction related to survey, training techniques and methodologies, computers, computer programming, MDT survey system interrelationships with other MDT systems.


• Skill in the use of specialized surveying equipment such as electronic total stations, digital levels, data collectors, CADD workstations, automated systems, GPS survey equipment, and misc. other tools and technologies.

Other Information

Driver’s record will be verified. Successful applicants will be required to sign a release form which authorizes the Department to obtain the applicant’s permanent driving records. Compliance with Mont. Admin. R. 2.6.201, \"State Vehicle Use,\" and MDT Policy #6.03.001, \"State Vehicle Use Policy\" are conditions of employment. (if applicable)

The Montana Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans and disabled veterans are encouraged to apply. People with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may call the Human Resources and Occupational Safety Division, at 406.444.6054.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is committed to continuous improvement of our employee safety program and our safety and health processes, and to achieving an injury-free workplace.

Effective 5/26/2026, MDT is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov.