Survey Crew Chief: Lead Field Ops & Path to Director

Actalent; Iowa; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Iowa is seeking a Survey Crew Chief to lead field survey operations for boundary, topographic, and construction staking projects. You will work with professional surveyors and small field crews, using Trimble equipment and Robotic Total Stations to deliver accurate data and support project success.

The role offers a clear growth path toward a director level with ownership opportunities within approximately five years, aligning with the growth of the office and client relationships.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience with reading and interpreting construction plans and site plans.
• Hands-on experience with Trimble equipment and Robotic Total Stations.
• Knowledge of land development, public site planning, and infrastructure projects.
• Professional licensure (PLS) or progress toward licensure is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee field survey activities for boundary, topographic, and construction staking projects.
• Plan and execute daily field operations for 1–2 person survey crews.
• Work with professional surveyors to collect, verify, and document survey data.
• Mentor and guide field crew members to develop their technical skills.
• Coordinate with contractors, landowners, and municipal representatives regarding scope and conditions.
• Ensure field work complies with standards, project requirements, and safety practices.
• Support office staff with clear field notes, sketches, and digital data.
• Contribute to a culture of quality and long-term client relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Field surveying

Communication

Mentoring

Data collection

Education

Professional licensure (PLS) or progress toward licensure

Tools

Trimble equipment

Robotic Total Stations

Topcon or similar

Job description

Actalent in Iowa is seeking a Survey Crew Chief to lead field survey operations for boundary, topographic, and construction staking projects. You will work with professional surveyors and small field crews, using Trimble equipment and Robotic Total Stations to deliver accurate data and support project success.

The role offers a clear growth path toward a director level with ownership opportunities within approximately five years, aligning with the growth of the office and client relationships.