Land Surveyor

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Iowa; On-site; USD 69,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

IPERS retirement

Paid time off

9 holidays per year

Job summary

State of Iowa - Executive Branch seeks a licensed Land Surveyor to lead field crews across district projects, applying laws to establish boundaries and coordinating survey activities with the Right-of-Way team.

You will operate advanced equipment (total stations, GPS) and use CAD/COGO to produce precise survey plats, while ensuring compliance with engineering standards and Iowa Code requirements.

Qualifications

• Possess a current professional land surveyors license issued by the Iowa Board of Engineering and Land Surveying.
• Able to obtain full licensure within 5 months of hire if not licensed in Iowa.

Responsibilities

• Lead field survey crews in land, topographic, and construction surveys.
• Apply surveying laws and legal principles to re-establish boundaries and support Right-of-Way coordination.
• Operate and maintain total stations, data collectors, and GPS receivers for field data collection.
• Use COGO, CAD, and data editors for data processing.
• Research land ownership and historical records to determine property boundaries and corners.
• Review engineering plans to ensure data meets survey standards.
• Create survey plats using CAD and perform algebraic/trigonometric calculations.
• Inspect survey work for accuracy and compliance with standards.

Skills

Terrain surveying

GPS receivers

Total stations

Data collectors

CAD software (CADD)

COGO

Boundary research

Education

Professional License in Land Surveying (Iowa)

Tools

Total stations

Data collectors

GPS receivers

CAD (CADD)

Job description

Job Description

This position has an adjusted starting pay of $76,377.60. For non-state of Iowa employees, starting pay is negotiable within the pay scale range, based on years of experience above the minimum qualifications.

Are you a licensed Iowa Land Surveyor looking to make a real impact in your community? Join the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 team in Northwest Iowa, where you’ll support essential transportation projects that improve safety and connectivity across the region. In this role, you’ll collect, analyze, and interpret field data for key projects, working closely with our Senior Land Surveyor and Development Engineer to coordinate District Survey activities and ensure accuracy, efficiency, and high-quality results.

If you’re not yet licensed in Iowa, you can still apply, as candidates who are able to obtain full licensure within 5 months of hire are welcome. You can view requirements at the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing, Engineering and Land Surveyors website: https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/other-professional-licensure/engineers-land-surveyors

Location

This position may report to any Iowa DOT District 3 office or building location.

• Relocation assistance may be available for candidates who receive a bona fide job offer, based on eligibility criteria.

Shift Requirements

Monday – Thursday, 6:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., some daytime travel required.

As a Land Surveyor

• Lead field survey crews in performing land, topographic, and construction surveys.
• Apply land surveying laws and legal principles to help re-establish real property boundaries and support the District Right-of-Way Department in coordinating field survey activities.
• Operate and maintain advanced surveying equipment – including total stations, data collectors, and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers – to conduct field reconnaissance and capture precise measurements.
• Utilize specialized computer software such as coordinate geometry (COGO), computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), and data collection editors.
• Research land ownership and historical records, identifying reliable information sources to determine property boundaries and land corners, including conducting research in county courthouses, city offices, and private engineering or survey firms.
• Review engineering plans and specifications to ensure collected data meets standards required for accurate survey documentation.
• Create detailed survey plats using CADD, performing algebraic and trigonometric calculations needed to close survey configurations and ensure complete, accurate results.
• Inspect survey work for accuracy and compliance , evaluating both completed and ongoing projects to verify that all standards and requirements are met.
• Prepare and review Public Land Corner Certifications in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 114A.11

Additional Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a Professional License in Land Surveying issued by the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Board.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Iowa Class C Non-Commercial Driver's License.

What We Offer YOU

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
  • Insurance benefits start on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2025 health and dental insurance premiums can be found here
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accrual rollover every year, and 9 paid holidays per year
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling, legal, financial)

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website !

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation . To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception .

The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE. We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us! If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visit https://www.asce.org/membership .

Iowa DOT complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the EEO & ADA Officer at 515-689-1009 or via email at [e-mail] .

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Possession of a current professional land surveyors license as issued by the Iowa Board of Engineering and Land Surveying.