Survey Assistant

Rick Engineering; Tucson (AZ); Hybrid; USD 60,174,000 - 85,962,000; Full time

Job summary

Rick Engineering in Tucson, AZ is seeking a Survey Assistant to join a land survey crew as an entry-level professional. You will assist with boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS and construction staking surveys outdoors.

The role emphasizes learning modern survey equipment, field notes, safety and teamwork, with opportunities for mentorship and growth in civil engineering and land development projects.

Qualifications

• Preferred candidate will have one year of technical survey training, plus one year of experience or two years of equivalent work experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• No prior surveying experience is required for entry-level candidates who demonstrate reliability, mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and willingness to learn.
• Previous experience in land surveying, construction staking, civil construction, or site development is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Crew Chief with boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, right-of-way, utility, as-built, and construction-staking surveys.
• Set up, operate, and store modern survey equipment, including robotic total stations, GNSS/GPS receivers, levels, data collectors, field tablets, rods, and prisms.
• Hold and position survey rods, prisms, targets, and GNSS equipment accurately at designated locations.
• Assist with construction staking for buildings, roads, grading, utilities, drainage improvements, curb, sidewalk, and other civil improvements.
• Set and clearly mark stakes, hubs, lath, nails, whiskers, control points, and monuments with required offsets, elevations, stationing, and cut-and-fill information.
• Read construction plans, grading plans, staking diagrams, and field sketches, and perform basic calculations involving distances, elevations, slopes, grades, and offsets.
• Search for, expose, identify, and document property corners, survey monuments, benchmarks, utilities, and other physical evidence using appropriate hand tools and locating equipment.
• Collect accurate field measurements, feature codes, descriptions, photographs, sketches, and notes for existing improvements and site conditions.
• Maintain survey equipment, vehicles, batteries, tools, supplies, and organized electronic field files.
• Communicate effectively with the survey crew, contractors, equipment operators, engineers, inspectors, and property owners while following company safety procedures.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Survey Assistant

Full Time Regular Professional Tucson, AZ, US

14 days ago Requisition ID: 1274

Salary Range: $21.00 To $30.00 Hourly

If you are looking for a place to grow your career and make a difference – RICK is the place for you! As a Land Survey Assistant and part of a land survey crew in Tucson, AZ you will have an opportunity to work with a multi-disciplinary team on meaningful, landmark projects in the Tucson region. As a RICK team member, you will help clients and communities turn their dreams into reality. You will learn from and work alongside industry-leading experts and together shape the future of tomorrow. At RICK you will find an abundance of opportunities for mentorship, growth, and (of course) fun! Learn more by visiting www.rickengineering.com

The Land Survey Assistant is an entry-level field position supporting a modern land surveying crew performing boundary, topographic, construction staking including grading, building, site, and utility layout surveys. Working under the direction of a Crew Chief or licensed land surveyor, this position assists with field measurements, monument searches, construction layout, equipment operation, documentation, and site safety.

This position is well suited for someone who enjoys working outdoors, solving practical problems, using technology, and contributing to civil engineering and land surveying projects. Previous surveying experience is helpful but not required. Experience in construction or a related skilled trade will be considered relevant experience.

Duties

• Assist the Crew Chief with boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, right-of-way, utility, as-built, and construction-staking surveys.
• Set up, operate, and properly store modern survey equipment, including robotic total stations, GNSS/GPS receivers, levels, data collectors, field tablets, rods, and prisms.
• Hold and position survey rods, prisms, targets, and GNSS equipment accurately at designated locations.
• Assist with construction staking for buildings, roads, grading, utilities, drainage improvements, curb, sidewalk, and other civil improvements.
• Set and clearly mark stakes, hubs, lath, nails, whiskers, control points, and monuments with required offsets, elevations, stationing, and cut-and-fill information.
• Read construction plans, grading plans, staking diagrams, and field sketches, and perform basic calculations involving distances, elevations, slopes, grades, and offsets.
• Search for, expose, identify, and document property corners, survey monuments, benchmarks, utilities, and other physical evidence using appropriate hand tools and locating equipment.
• Collect accurate field measurements, feature codes, descriptions, photographs, sketches, and notes for existing improvements and site conditions.
• Maintain survey equipment, vehicles, batteries, tools, supplies, and organized electronic field files.
• Communicate effectively with the survey crew, contractors, equipment operators, engineers, inspectors, and property owners while following company safety procedures and remaining alert to traffic, construction equipment, utilities, terrain, weather, and other field hazards.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Stand for eight (8) to ten (10) hours per day
• Swing an 8 lb. sledgehammer.
• Work is performed primarily in outdoor environments, construction sites, roadways, and often in remote and rugged locations and subject to varies weather conditions.
• Physical demands include standing for extended periods, walking on uneven/steep terrain, and carrying equipment.

Qualifications

Preferred candidate will have one (1) year of technical survey training, plus one (1) year of experience or equivalent work experience of two (2) years. High school diploma or equivalent.

No prior surveying experience is required for an entry-level candidate who demonstrates reliability, mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn. This is a great entry point to a land surveying career.

Previous experience in land surveying, construction staking, civil construction, or site development is preferred.

Experience in any construction trade will be considered relevant, including experience in:

• Grading and earthwork
• Concrete and masonry
• Carpentry and framing
• Roadway or paving construction
• Plumbing, electrical, or mechanical trades
• Landscaping or site work
• General labor or construction inspection

Ability to understand measurements and perform basic arithmetic.

Ability to read a tape measure and recognize feet, tenths, hundredths, fractions, slopes, and elevations.

Basic computer, tablet, or mobile-device skills.

Ability to follow instructions, ask questions, and work effectively as part of a two- or three-person field crew.

Strong attendance, punctuality, and dependability.

Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record is required.

Knowledge and Skills Developed in This Position

The Land Survey Assistant will receive practical experience in:

• Modern surveying equipment and field software
• Boundary and topographic surveying
• Construction staking and grade calculations
• Survey control and leveling
• Civil engineering and land-development plans
• Field coding and electronic data collection
• Survey documentation and quality-control procedures
• Construction-site coordination and safety