Survey Crew Chief

Patriot Surveying & Infrastructure; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Patriot Surveying & Infrastructure seeks an experienced Survey Crew Chief to lead field operations for major infrastructure and linear energy projects across the United States. You will direct day-to-day measurements, ensure technical accuracy, and supervise the field crew.

As on-site frontline leader, you will prioritize safety, manage project schedules, perform QC on data, and coordinate with Project Managers while maintaining equipment and logs.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate’s Degree in Surveying, Geomatics, or related field preferred.
• At least five years of progressive land surveying/geomatics experience.
• At least two years as Crew Chief or Lead Instrument Technician.
• Valid driver's license and a clean MVR.
• Willingness to travel extensively for nationwide projects.
• Must pass pre-employment drug screen and a 7-year background check.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day field measurements and QC data.
• Manage field crew including an Instrument Technician.
• Ensure safety, health, and well-being of crew.
• Read and interpret construction drawings and plans.
• Maintain field notes, logs, and timesheets.
• Coordinate with Project Managers on progress and site challenges.

Skills

Leadership

Field surveying

Team supervision

GPS surveying

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate’s Degree in Surveying/Geomatics

Tools

Total Stations

Levels

Data Collectors

GPS surveying equipment

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).

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.

Office Locations & Travel Flexibility

We are actively recruiting talent across our established office network, which includes:

• Mooresville, NC (Corporate Headquarters)
• Charleston, SC
• Oak Island, NC
• Traverse City, MI
• Woodstock, GA
• 100% Travel Roles (CONUS Per Diem): In addition to office-based and hybrid roles near our primary locations, we warmly welcome candidates with high travel availability to support major nationwide field projects. All 100% 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, while an Associate’s Degree in Surveying, Geomatics, or a related technical field is preferred. Candidates must possess 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. 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 and demonstrate the ability and willingness to travel extensively as required for large-scale infrastructure projects across the country.

Why Join Us?

At PSI, we recognize that our field crews are the backbone of our operations. For 100% travel roles, our 7-day 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.