Professional Land Surveyor / Survey Manager

Sanbell; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-Paid Medical Insurance

Employer-Paid Dental and Vision Insu

401(k) with 4% Match

Paid Holidays and Generous PTO

Employer-Paid Short-Term and Long-Term

Disability Insurance

Paid Parental Leave

Health Savings Account (HSA) withem

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

FSA Dependent Care Plan (Section 129)

Reimbursement for Certification and LO

Bring Your Good Dog to Work

Employer-Paid Life Insurance

Tuition Assistance

Bonus Opportunities

Job summary

Sanbell is seeking a Montana-licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) to serve as Survey Manager for a growing private land surveying practice in Billings, MT. This hands-on leadership role oversees 6+ field crews, directing planning, coordination, and execution of professional surveying services.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of experience, a strong boundary-law background, and excels at managing people, projects, and client relationships while pursuing new business opportunities.

Qualifications

• Active Montana PLS license or ability to obtain via reciprocity within 6 months.
• Bachelor’s or Associate's Degree in surveying or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of professional surveying experience with supervisory/management responsibilities.
• Proven experience supervising and mentoring survey crews.
• Strong knowledge of boundary law and private-sector surveying practices.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D and modern survey equipment/software.
• High level of accountability and professional integrity.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Surveyor of Record for boundary, ALTA/NSPS, topographic, subdivision, easement, and construction surveys.
• Review, sign, and seal survey plats, legal descriptions, and related documents.
• Interpret deeds, plats, title commitments, and legal descriptions.
• Ensure compliance with Montana statutes, administrative rules, and professional standards.
• Resolve complex boundary and field issues using professional judgment.
• Oversee data analysis, reporting, and quality assurance.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor field staff.
• Plan and direct daily field operations and crew assignments.
• Schedule projects, manage workloads, and support timely delivery.
• Enforce safety standards, field procedures, and equipment care.
• Provide technical training, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Participate in field work as needed for high-priority or complex projects.
• Coordinate with clients, engineers, architects, contractors, legal counsel, and property owners.
• Assist with project scheduling, budgeting, and progress tracking.
• Maintain professional client relationships through clear communication.
• Support workflow improvements, automation, and technology adoption.
• Monitor new survey technologies and recommend efficiency enhancements.
• Assist with departmental budgeting and operational planning.
• Represent the firm as a technical expert, including participation in legal or boundary matters.
• Actively market on behalf of the firm to develop new clients/business, building a backlog of work for the Survey Department
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Montana PLS license

Supervisory experience

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Boundary law knowledge

Strong communication skills

Survey equipment proficiency

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate's Degree in surveying

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Survey equipment (modern)

GIS/software (survey)

Job description

Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) / Survey Manager

Billings, MT

We welcome you to consider Sanbell as the next step in your exciting career as a Professional Land Surveyor/Survey Manager. Sanbell is a multi-disciplinary engineering, community planning, and design firm serving clients throughout the Western United States. An ENR Top 500 firm, we are 300+ team members strong with 14 office locations in Montana, Colorado, Nevada, California, Texas, and Washington. By joining the Sanbell team, you will have the opportunity to work and grow alongside a large network of Cool + Smart + Talented + People (CSTP), with a variety of technical expertise, years of experience, and vast knowledge of the engineering industry.

Sanbell offers competitive compensation, including excellent benefits for retirement, health care, dental, vacation, and holidays.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Montana‑licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) to serve as Survey Manager for our growing private land surveying firm. This role combines technical leadership as Surveyor of Record with direct management of 6+ person field crews, overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of professional land surveying services. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader with strong technical expertise, sound professional judgment, and proven experience managing people, projects, and client relationships and developing new business opportunities.

Required Qualifications (skills/experience/certifications)

• Active Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license in the State of Montana, or ability to obtain through reciprocity within 6 months
• Bachelor’s or Associate's Degree in surveying or related field preferred
• 10+ years of professional surveying experience, including supervisory or management responsibilities
• Proven experience supervising and mentoring survey crews
• Strong knowledge of boundary law and private‑sector surveying practices
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D and modern survey equipment/software
• High level of accountability and professional integrity
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites

Preferred Qualifications (skills/experience/certifications)

• Experience managing multiple crews or complex projects
• Strong leadership, organizational, and client‑service skills
• Experience in a private consulting or production‑oriented environment
• Ability to balance technical work, staff management, and project deadlines

Job Duties/Responsibilities

Surveying & Technical Oversight

• Serve as Surveyor of Record for boundary, ALTA/NSPS, topographic, subdivision, easement, and construction surveys
• Review, sign, and seal survey plats, legal descriptions, and related documents
• Interpret deeds, plats, title commitments, and legal descriptions
• Ensure compliance with Montana statutes, administrative rules, and professional standards
• Resolve complex boundary and field issues using professional judgment
• Oversee data analysis, reporting, and quality assurance

Field Crew Leadership & Supervision

• Lead, supervise, and mentor field staff
• Plan and direct daily field operations and crew assignments
• Schedule projects, manage workloads, and support timely delivery
• Enforce safety standards, field procedures, and equipment care
• Provide technical training, performance feedback, and professional development
• Participate in field work as needed for high‑priority or complex projects

Project, Client & Operational Management

• Coordinate with clients, engineers, architects, contractors, legal counsel, and property owners
• Assist with project scheduling, budgeting, and progress tracking
• Maintain professional client relationships through clear communication
• Support workflow improvements, automation, and technology adoption
• Monitor new survey technologies and recommend efficiency enhancements
• Assist with departmental budgeting and operational planning
• Represent the firm as a technical expert, including participation in legal or boundary matters
• Actively market on behalf of the firm to develop new clients/business, building a backlog of work for the Survey Department
• Perform other duties as assigned

Typical Work Environment

• Mix of office and field work
• Moderate physical activity and outdoor work in varying conditions
• Occasional travel, including overnight trips
• Work within a dynamic, client‑focused private consulting environment

Benefits

• Employer‑Paid Medical Insurance
• Employer‑Paid Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with 4% Match
• Paid Holidays and Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employer‑Paid Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave Program
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• FSA Dependent Care Plan (Section 129)
• Reimbursement for Certification and License Expenses
• Bring Your Good Dog to Work
• Employer‑Paid Life Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Bonus Opportunities
• And MORE!

Compensation

$110,000 - $130,000 per year

Work Location

In‑person in Billings, MT

Job Type

Full‑time

To Apply

Submit your resume in PDF format.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Sanbell is an equal opportunity employer. Sanbell provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.