Survey Crew Chief - Boundary and Mapping

Racey Engineering, PLLC; Virginia, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid leave and holidays

Education reimbursement

Dental, vision, and other insurances

Job summary

Racey Engineering, PLLC seeks a Survey Crew Chief for boundary and mapping work in the Virginia area. You will lead a field crew performing boundary retracement, ALTA/NSPS surveys, topographic and route surveys, and contribute to deed and plat research.

Based in Luray/Roanoke area, you will work closely with engineers, set controls, operate robotic total stations and GPS, and ensure field notes and time logs are accurately recorded.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of land surveying field experience, including boundary retracement and topographic survey.
• Ability to run a crew independently and make defensible boundary decisions in the field.
• Proficient with robotic total stations and GPS/RTK (Leica, Topcon, Carlson) and electronic data collection.
• Ability to read, interpret, and write legal descriptions and plats.
• Working knowledge of Virginia survey rules and standards and courthouse research procedures.
• Familiarity with ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey requirements.
• A valid, insurable driver's license.
• Ability to pass a drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Lead a field crew performing boundary, ALTA/NSPS, topographic, route, and as-built surveys.
• Set and check horizontal and vertical control, establish datum, and verify calibration.
• Operate manual and robotic total stations, levels, and GPS/RTK with electronic data collection.
• Locate and evaluate property corners, monuments, and evidence of occupation - and document the reasoning behind boundary decisions so the next person can follow it.
• Perform deed and plat research at the courthouse and online; read, interpret, and write legal descriptions.
• Collect topographic detail to the density and accuracy the design team needs, and coordinate scope directly with our engineers before the crew mobilizes.
• Prepare accurate field notes and submit them with daily time logs per procedure.
• Maintain and inventory assigned equipment, supplies, and vehicles.
• Train and mentor instrument operators and field crew assistants.

Skills

Land surveying experience

Crew leadership

Robotic total stations

GPS/RTK

Legal descriptions

Virginia survey rules

ALTA/NSPS

Driver's license

Education

CST Certifications or equivalent

Professional Land Surveyor license in Virginia or SIT progress

Tools

Leica/GPS receivers

Topcon equipment

Carlson SurveyPC

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

Survey Crew Chief - Boundary and Mapping

Start Date: 09/02/2026

Location: Luray, VA

Salary: $30 - $40 per hour

Description

Tentative ad closing date: 10/01/2026 with interviews occurring between 10/09/2026 and 10/22/2026

Racey Engineering is hiring a Survey Crew Chief for our engineering survey and mapping practice. This crew does boundary retracement, ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys, topographic and route surveys, and the deed and plat research that stands behind them. A large share of the work feeds our own civil design teams, so the topographic survey you deliver Tuesday is the basemap somebody designs on Thursday - and you will work directly with the engineer using it.

This crew is deliberately separate from our construction stakeout crews, but overlap is possible for your career growth and depending on the scheduling needs. If your background is layout and grade on active construction sites, look at our Survey Field Crew Chief - Construction posting instead.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead a field crew performing boundary, ALTA/NSPS, topographic, route, and as-built surveys.
• Set and check horizontal and vertical control, establish datum, and verify calibration.
• Operate manual and robotic total stations, levels, and GPS/RTK with electronic data collection.
• Locate and evaluate property corners, monuments, and evidence of occupation - and document the reasoning behind boundary decisions so the next person can follow it.
• Perform deed and plat research at the courthouse and online; read, interpret, and write legal descriptions.
• Collect topographic detail to the density and accuracy the design team needs, and coordinate scope directly with our engineers before the crew mobilizes.
• Prepare accurate field notes and submit them with daily time logs per procedure.
• Maintain and inventory assigned equipment, supplies, and vehicles.
• Train and mentor instrument operators and field crew assistants.

Requirements

• 5 or more years of land surveying field experience, including boundary retracement and topographic survey.
• Demonstrated ability to run a crew independently and make defensible boundary decisions in the field.
• Proficient with robotic total stations and GPS/RTK (Leica, Topcon, Carlson) and electronic data collection.
• Ability to read, interpret, and write legal descriptions and plats.
• Working knowledge of Virginia survey rules and standards and courthouse research procedures.
• Familiarity with ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey requirements.
• A valid, insurable driver's license.
• Ability to pass a drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications

• CST Certifications, Professional Land Surveyor license in Virginia, a Surveyor-in-Training certificate, or active progress toward licensure - Racey reimburses study courses and exam fees.
• AutoCAD Civil 3D and Carlson SurveyPC for data software.
• VDOT right-of-way and plat of highway experience.
• 3D laser scanning or UAS mapping experience.
• Subdivision and land development survey experience.
• OSHA-10, MOT, first aid, or CPR certifications.

Physical Requirements, Travel, and Schedule

• Full-time, 8-hour shifts with overtime available. Based out of the Luray, VA or Roanoke, VA offices.
• Field work in all seasons, including undeveloped and wooded terrain.
• Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Travel throughout Virginia with occasional overnight assignments.
• Must be able to pass a drug screening.

Compensation

$30.00 - $40.00 per hour, set by experience and licensure progress. Overtime and bonus opportunities are available.

BeNEFITS

Racey Engineering is a 2026 Best Places to Work in Virginia firm, and we offer a strong and growing benefits package for our employees. A few highlights:

• Health insurance ($0 deductible; 75% paid by employer)
• Group Term Life Insurance paid by employer ($50,000)
• Dental, vision, and other supplemental insurances
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid leave and holidays
• Bereavement, Parental, and Jury Duty Leave
• Education and tuition reimbursement

Opportunity Awaits

At Racey Engineering you will find a family-oriented culture that cares about you (and your family) and about making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. You will work on projects across the Commonwealth while we support you as you learn and grow your technical and professional skills. We are looking for people who share our values and want to contribute to a strong work environment. If you are ready to take on new challenges, grow your skills, and make a meaningful impact, we would like to hear from you.

Racey Engineering, PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.