Survey Crew Chief - Rail Services (Travel required)

Olsson

Colorado Springs (CO)

On-site

USD 62,000 - 94,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Career development paths

Flexible work arrangements

Wellness program

Positive community impact

Job summary

Olsson is seeking an experienced Survey Crew Chief to lead rail surveying operations across the United States. Travel will be extensive (80%+), and the role offers leadership of field crews on diverse rail infrastructure projects while maintaining safety and data quality.

The ideal candidate will have strong surveying knowledge, experience with GNSS and robotic total stations, and a willingness to obtain FAA Part 107 or related certifications if needed.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent.
3–5 years of experience as Survey Crew Chief.
Strong understanding of land surveying principles and field procedures.
Experience operating GNSS and robotic total stations.
Knowledge of Control networks and QA/QC procedures.
Ability to travel 80% or more across the United States.
FAA Part 107 certification and UAS/Lidar experience preferred but not required (willing to obtain within 6 months).
Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
Commitment to safety in active railroad and construction environments.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage survey field operations on rail-related projects.
Plan travel logistics, lodging, transportation, and field schedules.
Operate survey equipment including GNSS receivers, robotic total stations, digital levels, terrestrial scanners, and UAVs.
Ensure compliance with railroad safety policies.
Perform survey data collection per established standards, project requirements, and railroad procedures.
Conduct topographic, boundary, construction staking, H&H surveys, rail bridge structural surveys, utility, as-built, and control surveys on active railroad corridors.
Coordinate daily activities with project managers, clients, railroad representatives, and field personnel.
Train, mentor, and oversee survey technicians and field staff.
Maintain field notes, documentation, and quality control procedures.
Identify and communicate potential project risks, safety concerns, schedule impacts, and operational challenges.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Safety mindset

Communication

Travel-ready

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

GNSS receivers

Robotic total station

Digital levels

Terrestrial scanners

UAV equipment

Job description

Company Description

We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results - for our people, our clients, and our company.

We're a people-centric firm, so it's no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.

Job Description

Olsson is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Survey Crew Chief to join our growing Rail Services team. This position is focused exclusively on railroad-related surveying projects throughout the United States. Because travel is a significant component of this role, candidates may be based near any Olsson office location and should expect to travel approximately 80% or more of the year.

The ideal candidate is an experienced crew chief with strong leadership skills, a commitment to safety, and a passion for delivering high-quality survey data in challenging field environments. This position offers the opportunity to work on a wide variety of rail infrastructure projects while helping support the continued growth of Olsson's rail survey capabilities.

Primary Responsibilities

Lead and manage survey field operations on rail-related projects.
Plan and coordinate travel logistics, lodging, transportation, and field schedules.
Maintain, transport, and operate survey equipment including GNSS receivers, robotic total stations, digital levels, terrestrial scanners, and UAV equipment as required.
Ensure compliance with Olsson Railroad safety policies as well as railroad-specific safety requirements.
Perform survey data collection in accordance with established survey standards, project requirements, and railroad procedures.
Conduct topographic, boundary, construction staking, H&H surveys, rail bridge structural surveys, utility, as-built, and control surveys on active railroad corridors.
Coordinate daily activities with project managers, clients, railroad representatives, and field personnel.
Train, mentor, and oversee survey technicians and field staff.
Maintain field notes, documentation, and quality control procedures.
Identify and communicate potential project risks, safety concerns, schedule impacts, and operational challenges.

We're not simply filling a Crew Chief position. We're building a premier rail surveying team capable of supporting railroad clients across the country.

This role offers the opportunity to work on projects that few surveyors ever experience, from active railroad corridors and large-scale infrastructure improvements to monitoring, reality capture, and emerging survey technologies. You'll be trusted to operate independently, solve complex field challenges, and serve as a key contributor to a growing national practice.

This role requires extensive travel 80% or more throughout the United States, working in varying weather conditions and terrain.

Qualifications

You are passionate about:

Working collaboratively with others.
Having ownership in the work you do.
Using your talents to positively affect communities.

You bring to the team:

High school diploma or equivalent.
3-5 years of experience serving as a Survey Crew Chief
Strong understanding of land surveying principles and field procedures. (experience with railroad survey preferred but not required)
Experience operating GNSS and robotic total station equipment.
Knowledge of Control networks and QA/QC procedures.
Ability to work both as a team and independently with limited supervision, strong leadership and communication skills.
FAA Part 107 certification and UAS/Lidar experience preferred but not required. (willing to obtain within 6 months of hiring)
Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
Ability to travel 80% or more throughout the United States.
Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment and to working safely in active railroad and construction environments.

#LI-DNP

Actual compensation will vary based on factors such as experience, qualifications, geographic location, skills, education, and internal equity.

Colorado Pay Range

$30 - $45 USD

Additional Information

Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.

As an Olsson employee, you will: