Instrument Operator

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Wellness

Professional development opportunities

Flexible spending accounts

457 deferred compensation plans

Retirement pension (TCDRS)

Transportation assistance (Metro Ride)

Disability and life insurance

PSLF eligible

Job summary

Harris County is seeking a Survey Field Crew member to perform boundary and topographic surveys under the supervision of the Survey Party Chief. The role requires travel to remote job sites, careful equipment handling, and accurate reporting of measurements.

Eligible candidates will have at least 2 years of Rod Person experience, a valid Texas driver’s license, and the ability to work in varied weather conditions.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 2 years of Rod Person experience on boundary/topographic surveys.
• Experience operating field instrumentation (GNSS, total stations, data collectors).

Responsibilities

• Maintain supplies and load/prepare equipment for the survey crew.
• Operate and maintain survey equipment (GNSS receivers, robotic and conventional instrumentation, levels).
• Travel to jobsites not easily accessible by vehicle or on foot.
• Report survey measurements and accuracies to the Survey Crew Chief.
• Assist with traffic control around the survey area.
• Maintain professional communication with coworkers, supervisors, clients, and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Teamwork

Math basics

Physical stamina

Weather adaptability

Education

High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Some college coursework or higher

Tools

GNSS equipment

Total stations

Data collectors

Levels

Trimble

Leica

Job description

Position Overview: Works as a member of a Survey Field Crew under the direct supervision of the Survey Party Chief. Performs boundary, topographic, and other land surveys for Harris County properties and rights-of-way.

Job Duties

• Responsible for maintaining ample quantities of supplies, as well as loading and maintaining equipment for the assigned survey crew
• Operation, handling, and maintenance of survey equipment, including GNSS receivers, Robotic and Conventional Instrumentation, levels, etc.
• Responsible for getting to and working at jobsites that are not easily accessible either by vehicle or on foot
• Responsible for reporting survey measurements (angles, distances, coordinates, etc.), and their accuracies to the Survey Crew Chief
• Assists with traffic control around the survey area
• Responsible for maintaining harmonious relationships and communicating effectively with co‑workers, supervisors, clients, and the general public
• Performs other duties as assigned

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail]

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience as a Rod Person working on boundary and topographic surveying projects, with experience in other types of surveying. Must have verifiable experience in operating field instrumentation and equipment, including but not limited to conventional levels, total stations, GNSS rovers and receivers, and data collectors.

Licensure

• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Must possess the skills to work effectively and efficiently within a team.
• Basic knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and simple mathematical functions that include the practical use of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division as they apply to surveying.
• Must have the physical strength and stamina to work as a member of a survey crew, which includes but may not be limited to measuring with a survey chain, chopping brush and trees, holding prism poles and level rods for long periods of time, learning to keep field notes, using and learning to use different types of surveying equipment, and potentially learning to lead a survey field crew.
• Must be willing to work in various weather and working conditions.

Emergency Deployment & Continuity of Operations Requirement

In accordance with Harris County’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols. The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF) and must:

• Participate in the classification process of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities. Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergency events.
• Confirm work assignments with their supervisor prior to reporting to any worksite during such events.
• Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support County operations continuity.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation, but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education

• Some college coursework or higher.

Experience

• Progressive experience in surveying crews, from Rodman to Instrument Man or higher, with verifiable efficiency and production in all roles. Experience in construction surveying and in using other field equipment is also preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Strong, progressive experience with an understanding of the use of field instrumentation (Trimble and Leica), GNSS, robotic total stations, total stations, data collectors, levels, and other equipment.

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work: Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week. Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary: Commensurate with experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure: This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting up to 25 lbs.; frequent walking, standing, and sitting; reaching; ascending/descending stairs; ascending/descending channel slopes; and walking across uneven terrain. Subjected to outdoor environment situations and inclement weather conditions on a daily basis. Occasional driving of a vehicle with automatic and four-wheel drive controls.

FEATURED BENEFITS

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Wellness.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• 457 deferred compensation plans.
• Retirement pension (TCDRS).
• Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).
• Disability and life insurance.
• Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.