Survey Crew Chief

Patriot Surveying & Infrastructure, PLLC; North Carolina; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Patriot Surveying & Infrastructure, PLLC is seeking an experienced Survey Crew Chief to lead field operations for major infrastructure projects. You will direct daily field measurements, supervise the crew, and ensure safety and quality while coordinating with Project Managers. Travel across the East Coast and periodic Saturdays are expected, with per diem provided for active deployments. A strong background in ALTA, As-Built, Civil, and Infrastructure surveys is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive land surveying/geomatics field experience.
• At least 2 years as Crew Chief or Lead Instrument Technician.
• Experience with ALTA, As-Built, Civil and Infrastructure surveys; emphasis on Design and Urban Pipeline surveys.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day field measurements and ensure technical accuracy.
• Supervise field crew and ensure safety protocols.
• Read and interpret drawings and project specifications to meet tolerances.
• Perform QC on field data and maintain logs.

Skills

Leadership

Crew supervision

Quality control

Reading construction drawings

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate's Degree in Surveying/Geomatics or related technical field

Tools

Total Stations

Levels

Data Collectors

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, dedicated Survey Crew Chief to lead field operations for major infrastructure and linear energy projects across the United States. In this critical leadership role, you will direct day-to-day field measurements, ensure technical accuracy, and supervise a dedicated field crew (typically including an Instrument Technician).

In this role, you will be responsible for conducting a wide range of field surveys, including ALTA, As-Built, Civil, and Infrastructure surveys, with a heavy emphasis on Design surveys and Urban Pipeline surveys.

The Crew Chief exercises independent technical judgment, solves site-specific challenges, and ensures that all surveying tasks are executed efficiently and safely, in strict accordance with project specifications and schedules. Crucially, as the on-site frontline leader, you will actively prioritize and ensure the physical safety, health, and overall well-being of every crew member under your supervision.

Location & Travel Requirements

This is a travel position paid per diem. Work will be located in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas starting off, and will require travel to other locations across the East Coast as those initial projects in Wilmington wrap up.

In addition, candidates must be willing to travel and be available to work on Saturdays as project demands require.

Travel & Schedule:

• Travel: This position requires travel across the East Coast as projects wrap up and transition to new sites, along with a willingness to work Saturdays.
• Per Diem: All travel assignments include daily per diem allowances at standard CONUS (Continental U.S.) rates to support our personnel during active project deployments.

As a Survey Crew Chief, you will lead, train, and supervise the Survey Instrument Technician and field crew members, actively prioritizing team health, safety protocols, and quality standards at all times. You will manage daily project schedules and sequence field tasks to maximize efficiency and maintain project timelines. Daily operational responsibilities include performing complex setups and high-precision operations using conventional and GPS surveying equipment such as Total Stations, Levels, and Data Collectors.

You will read and interpret construction drawings, plans, and project specifications to ensure exact field tolerances are met, while collecting detailed survey data and maintaining clear, orderly field notes, sketches, daily logs, and timesheets. Additionally, you will perform initial Quality Control (QC) and validation of all collected field data to ensure full compliance with project needs, company QA/QC procedures, and regulatory standards. You will maintain clear, proactive communication with Project Managers and Project Surveyors regarding project progress, field conditions, and site challenges, while overseeing the cleanliness, organization, routine maintenance, and security of all assigned survey equipment and company vehicles.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This position requires continuous standing, walking, and strenuous hiking for extended periods over rough, steep, heavily wooded, or uneven terrain, including active construction sites, steep hills, and undeveloped right-of-ways. Candidates must have the physical capability to frequently lift, carry, and maneuver heavy field equipment weighing up to 50 pounds over challenging terrain. Field operations require working productively outdoors for full shifts in extreme weather conditions—including summer heat, intense cold, rain, and high humidity—along with excellent hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for fine adjustments and operating precision surveying equipment.

Qualifications & Requirements

A High School Diploma or equivalent is required; an Associate’s Degree in Surveying, Geomatics, or a related technical field is preferred.We are looking for an experienced Survey Crew Chief with a minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in land surveying/geomatics field work, with at least two (2) years of verifiable experience as a Crew Chief or Lead Instrument Technician. Specific experience in ALTA, As-Built, Civil, and Infrastructure surveying, with emphasis on Design survey and Urban Pipeline survey experience. Must be fully willing to travel to project locations across the East Coast and willing to work on Saturdays. A valid driver’s license and a clean Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) are mandatory. Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and a standard 7-year background check.

Why Join Us?

At PSI, we recognize that our field crews are the backbone of our operations. For travel roles, our per diem model using standard CONUS rates ensures our field teams are among the best-supported in the industry. We offer a highly competitive base pay package paired with comprehensive health, financial, and wellness benefits. We continuously invest in your career development with clear pathways toward project management, technical certifications, and licensure support, all within a supportive corporate culture built on transparent communication, technical excellence, and leaders who look out for the safety and success of their team.