Survey Crew Chief

Actalent; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9 paid holidays

Paid time off (PTO)

Company vehicles for project travel

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an experienced Survey Crew Chief to lead field survey operations for boundary, topographic, and construction staking projects in the Des Moines area. You will manage daily survey activities, collect precise field data, and support a portfolio spanning transportation, municipal, public infrastructure, and land development projects.

You will work closely with licensed surveyors, engineers, and field crews, utilizing Trimble equipment and Robotic Total Stations to ensure

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of land surveying experience including construction staking.
• At least 2 years leading survey crews.
• Ability to interpret construction plans and plats.
• Experience with Trimble equipment and Robotic Total Stations.

Responsibilities

• Lead field survey operations for boundary, topo, and staking projects.
• Coordinate daily field activities for small crews.
• Collect and document survey data with licensed surveyors.
• Mentor junior crew members and coordinate with office staff.
• Maintain detailed field notes and electronic data.
• Communicate with contractors and stakeholders.

Skills

Land surveying

Crew leadership

Trimble equipment

Construction staking

Topographic surveys

Communication skills

Team mentoring

Education

PLS license preferred

Tools

Trimble equipment

Robotic Total Stations

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Survey Crew Chief to lead field survey operations for boundary, topographic, and construction staking projects throughout the region. This role is responsible for managing daily survey activities, collecting accurate field data, and supporting a diverse portfolio of transportation, municipal, public infrastructure, and land development projects. Working closely with licensed surveyors, engineers, and field crews, the Survey Crew Chief will utilize advanced survey technology to ensure quality project delivery. This position offers a unique opportunity for career advancement, including a potential path into a Director-level leadership role with team-building and ownership opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee field survey operations for boundary, topographic, and construction staking projects.
• Coordinate and execute daily field activities for small survey crews, ensuring work is completed safely, accurately, and on schedule.
• Collect, verify, and document survey data in collaboration with licensed surveyors and project teams.
• Operate Trimble equipment, Robotic Total Stations, and other surveying technologies to gather precise field measurements.
• Interpret construction drawings, site plans, and engineering documents to perform accurate layout and staking.
• Conduct topographic surveys, documenting existing site features, utilities, elevations, and other critical field conditions.
• Perform boundary survey work, including locating property corners, boundary lines, easements, and related features.
• Complete construction staking for roads, utilities, buildings, and other infrastructure projects.
• Communicate with contractors, landowners, municipal agencies, and project stakeholders regarding field activities and project progress.
• Maintain detailed field notes, sketches, and electronic data to support survey and engineering deliverables.
• Coordinate effectively with office staff, including survey technicians, CAD professionals, and engineers.
• Mentor and develop junior crew members, promoting technical growth and professional advancement.
• Support a culture focused on quality, safety, customer service, and long-term client relationships.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant land surveying experience, including construction staking, boundary surveys, and topographic surveys.
• At least 2 years of experience leading survey crews or managing field survey operations.
• Strong understanding of land surveying principles, methodologies, and best practices.
• Experience working with small field crews in varying project environments.
• Proficiency interpreting construction plans, site plans, plats, and other technical documents.
• Hands‑on experience with Trimble survey equipment and Robotic Total Stations.
• Strong knowledge of topographic surveying techniques and construction layout procedures.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with contractors, property owners, and public stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with surveyors, engineers, and drafting teams.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering accurate, high-quality survey data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Topcon or comparable survey equipment.
• Familiarity with land development and public site planning projects.
• Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license or progress toward obtaining licensure.
• Interest in leadership development and advancing into a future Director-level role.
• Desire to help grow and develop a surveying practice, including team building and process improvement initiatives.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with an interest in contributing to the long‑term success of the organization.

Work Environment

This position supports a growing office specializing in public infrastructure, transportation, municipal, and land surveying projects. Most assignments are located within approximately two hours of Des Moines, with occasional work in surrounding states. The successful candidate will work alongside a collaborative team of professional engineers, licensed surveyors, survey technicians, and drafting professionals, providing exposure to a wide range of project types and disciplines.

Field operations leverage modern survey technology, including Trimble equipment, Robotic Total Stations, and other advanced surveying tools. The organization maintains strong relationships with a loyal base of repeat clients, providing a steady pipeline of diverse and engaging projects.

The company offers a supportive, growth‑oriented culture focused on employee development, leadership opportunities, and long‑term career advancement. Benefits include nine paid holidays, paid time off, and access to company vehicles for project‑related travel. For ambitious professionals seeking to grow into a leadership position, this role offers a clear pathway toward a future Director role with opportunities for ownership and team leadership.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Des Moines, IA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $40.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long‑term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Des Moines,IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 13, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.