Survey Crew Chief

Actalent; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Survey Crew Chief to lead field survey operations across boundary, topographic, and construction staking projects in the Des Moines area and surrounding states. You will work with professional surveyors and small field crews, using modern equipment to deliver accurate data and support project delivery.

The role offers growth toward a director level with ownership potential, mentorship opportunities, and collaboration with engineers and drafters to ensure high-quality survey

Qualifications

• 4+ years of surveying experience including construction staking, boundary, and topographic surveys.
• Experience leading survey crews or projects (2+ years).
• Ability to read and interpret construction and site plans and related documents.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee field survey activities for boundary, topo, and construction staking projects.
• Plan and execute daily field operations for 1–2 person crews, ensuring schedules and specs are met.
• Collaborate with professional surveyors to collect, verify, and document survey data for site plans and transportation projects.
• Use Trimble equipment and Robotic Total Stations to capture accurate field measurements and data.
• Interpret construction plans and site documents for precise layout and staking in the field.
• Conduct boundary surveys, identify property corners, lines, and easements with licensed surveyors.
• Complete construction staking for roads, utilities, buildings, and other infrastructure.
• Communicate effectively with contractors, landowners, municipal staff, and stakeholders about scope and conditions.
• Ensure field work adheres to standards, project requirements, and safety practices.
• Support office staff with clear field notes, sketches, and digital data.
• Mentor and guide field crew members to develop technical skills and professional growth.
• Contribute to a culture of quality and reliability to support long-term client relationships.

Skills

Surveying

Team leadership

Field operations

Instrument handling

Data collection

Communication

Mentoring

Quality control

Tools

Trimble equipment

Robotic Total Stations

Topcon instruments

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Survey Crew Chief

Job Description

This role leads field survey operations for boundary, topographic, and construction staking projects across transportation, municipal, and public building sites. The survey crew chief works closely with professional surveyors and small field crews, using modern survey equipment to deliver accurate data and support successful project delivery. This position offers a clear growth path into a future director role with the opportunity for ownership and team building.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee field survey activities for boundary surveys, topographic surveys, and construction staking projects.


• Plan and execute daily field operations for 1-2 person survey crews, ensuring work meets project specifications and schedules.


• Work alongside professional surveyors to collect, verify, and document survey data for public site plans, transportation projects, and land development.


• Utilize Trimble equipment and Robotic Total Stations to collect accurate field measurements and capture plot information.


• Interpret and apply construction plans, site plans, and related documents to perform precise layout and staking in the field.


• Perform topographic surveys, including collection of existing ground features, utilities, and site conditions for design and documentation.


• Conduct boundary surveys, including identifying property corners, lines, and easements in coordination with licensed surveyors.


• Complete construction staking for roads, utilities, buildings, and other infrastructure to support contractors and project teams.


• Communicate effectively with contractors, adjacent landowners, municipal representatives, and other stakeholders regarding project scope, progress, and site conditions.


• Ensure field work complies with applicable standards, project requirements, and safety practices.


• Support coordination with office staff, including drafters and engineers, by providing clear field notes, sketches, and digital data.


• Mentor and guide field crew members to develop their technical skills and support their professional growth.


• Contribute to a culture of quality, reliability, and customer service to support long-term relationships with recurring clients.

Essential Skills

• At least 4 years of current, relevant experience in surveying, including construction staking, boundary surveying, and topographic surveys.


• Minimum 2 years of experience leading survey crews or managing survey projects.


• Strong experience in land surveying, including boundary surveys, topographic surveys, and construction-related survey tasks.


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with 1-2 person field crews in a variety of project environments.


• Proficiency in reading and interpreting construction plans, public site plans, and other related technical documents.


• Hands‑on experience with Trimble survey equipment and Robotic Total Stations for field data collection.


• Knowledge of topographic surveying methods and land survey practices.


• Effective verbal communication skills to interact with contractors, adjacent landowners, and community members.


• Ability to collaborate with professional surveyors, engineers, and drafters to support project delivery.


• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, reliable survey data.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Topcon or similar survey instruments is beneficial.


• Exposure to transportation, municipal, and public building projects is an advantage.


• Familiarity with land development, public site planning, and infrastructure projects.


• Interest in leadership opportunities, including progressing into a director role and building a survey team within approximately five years.


• Desire to contribute to a growing office and help shape processes, standards, and team culture.


• Professional licensure (PLS) or progress toward licensure is a plus.

Work Environment

The role supports a growing office that focuses on public site plans, transportation projects, and land surveying assignments typically located within a two-hour radius of Des Moines and extending into nearby states. The team includes professional engineers, licensed land surveyors, multiple field survey crews, and drafting professionals, creating a collaborative environment that blends field and office expertise. Projects come from a strong base of recurring clients, offering steady, diverse work and long-term relationships. Field work relies on modern survey technologies, including Trimble equipment and Robotic Total Stations, and may also involve