Professional Land Surveyor / Survey Manager

Sanbell; North Dakota; On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 4% match

Employer-paid medical insurance

Paid holidays & generous PTO

Life Insurance

Job summary

Sanbell in Billings, MT seeks a Montana-licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) to serve as Survey Manager for our growing private land surveying firm. This role blends technical leadership as Surveyor of Record with management of 6+ field crews, overseeing planning, coordination, and execution of professional surveying services.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, with strong professional judgment, excellent communication, and a track record of managing people, projects, and client relationships

Qualifications

• Active Montana PLS license or reciprocity within 6 months
• 10+ years of professional surveying experience including supervisory responsibilities
• 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
• 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 full compliance with Montana statutes, administrative rules, and professional standards
• Oversee data analysis, reporting, and quality assurance
• Lead, supervise, and mentor field staff; plan and direct daily field operations
• Coordinate with clients, engineers, architects, contractors, and property owners
• Assist with project scheduling, budgeting, and progress tracking
• Represent the firm as a technical expert; participate in legal/boundary matters as required
• Actively market to build backlog of work for the Survey Department

Skills

Montana PLS license or reciprocity

10+ years surveying experience

Survey leadership

Boundary law knowledge

Effective communication

Travel to field sites

Education

Bachelor’s/Associate degree in surveying

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Modern survey equipment/software

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 (see below for more information).

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 full 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 strong, 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 as required
• Actively market on behalf of the firm to develop new clients/business, particularly to build 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 - $130,000per year

Work Location:

In-person in Billings, MT

Job Type:

Full-time

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.