Survey Crew Chief - Rail Services (Travel required)

Olsson; United States; Remote; USD 41,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Olsson is seeking an experienced Survey Crew Chief to lead rail surveying projects nationwide. The role requires extensive travel (about 80% or more) and leadership of field teams, with emphasis on safety, data quality, and meeting project requirements on active railroad corridors.

You will operate GNSS receivers, robotic total stations, and UAV equipment, coordinating with project managers and clients while mentoring field staff and ensuring compliance with railroad procedures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• 3–5 years of experience as Survey Crew Chief is required.
• 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%+ across the United States.
• FAA Part 107 certification and UAS/LiDAR experience preferred but not required (willing to obtain within 6 months).

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Crew Chief exp

Leadership

Safety awareness

Travel readiness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

GNSS receivers

Robotic total stations

Terrestrial scanners

UAV/LiDAR

Job description

Colorado Springs, CO; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Des Moines, IA; Fayetteville, AR; Fort Worth, TX; Kansas City, MO; Lincoln, NE; Loveland, CO; Oklahoma City, OK; Omaha, NE; Phoenix, AZ; Springfield, MO; Tulsa, OK

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.

$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:

• Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
• Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
• Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
• Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles

In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.

Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status.

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For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here .