Survey Drafting Technician

Actalent; Plymouth (MN); On-site; USD 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Survey Drafting Technician in Plymouth, MN, to support residential and commercial land development by converting field data into precise survey drawings and documentation. You will focus on topographic, ALTA/NSPS, and boundary surveys, collaborating with field crews and engineers to interpret descriptions and boundaries.

The role requires at least 3 years of survey drafting experience, proficiency with AutoCAD (Civil 3D preferred), and solid knowledge of surveying principles.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in topographic/ALTA/NSPS surveys and plat preparation.
• Proficient in survey drafting and boundary surveys.
• Able to interpret legal descriptions and property boundaries into survey drawings.
• Experience with survey data coordination with field crews and engineers.
• Proficient in AutoCAD; familiarity with Civil 3D for surveys/rooted in land development.
• Strong knowledge of land surveying principles and field methods.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.
• Clear, professional communication for team coordination.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team.

Responsibilities

• Process survey data into accurate drawings and documents.
• Prepare topographic/ALTA/NSPS/boundary surveys and plats per standards.
• Interpret field notes and legal descriptions for property boundaries.
• Collaborate with surveying and engineering staff to resolve data discrepancies.
• Review drawings for accuracy before final delivery.
• Apply surveying principles to maintain quality across projects.
• Use AutoCAD Civil 3D and other software for survey plans.
• Maintain organized project files for reference.
• Support diverse residential and commercial projects.
• Contribute to drafting standards and workflows with the team.

Skills

Topographic surveys/ALTA

Plat preparation

Boundary interpretation

Legal descriptions

Survey documentation

AutoCAD

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Land surveying principles

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

LSIT certification

Related surveying/civil degree

ALTA/NSPS knowledge

Tools

AutoCAD

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

Job Title: Survey Drafting Technician

Job Description

The Survey Drafting Technician will support residential and commercial land development projects by processing survey data and preparing precise survey drawings and documentation. This role focuses on producing topographic surveys, ALTA/NSPS surveys, boundary surveys, easements, and preliminary and final plats while collaborating closely with field survey crews and engineering staff to interpret field data, legal descriptions, and property boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Process survey data received from field survey crews and convert it into accurate, well-organized survey drawings and documents.
• Prepare topographic surveys, ALTA/NSPS surveys, boundary surveys, easements, and preliminary and final plats in accordance with applicable standards and project requirements.
• Interpret field notes, legal descriptions, and property boundary information to ensure accurate representation of surveyed properties.
• Collaborate closely with surveying and engineering professionals to clarify project requirements and resolve discrepancies in survey data.
• Review and verify the accuracy and completeness of survey drawings and documentation before final delivery.
• Apply land surveying principles and field survey methods to support the drafting process and ensure consistent quality across projects.
• Utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D and other surveying/drafting software to produce clear, detailed, and professional survey plans.
• Maintain organized project files and documentation to support efficient project execution and future reference.
• Contribute to a diverse range of residential and commercial projects for builders and developers, adapting to varying project scopes and timelines.
• Support continuous improvement of drafting standards and workflows by sharing insights and collaborating with the surveying and engineering team.

Essential Skills

• At least 3 years of experience working with topographic surveys and ALTA/NSPS surveys, plat preparation, boundary interpretation, legal descriptions, and survey documentation.
• Strong proficiency in survey drafting, including preparation of plats and boundary surveys.
• Ability to interpret legal descriptions and property boundaries accurately and translate them into clear survey drawings.
• Experience working with survey data and collaborating with field survey crews and engineering staff.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, with preferred experience in AutoCAD Civil 3D for survey drafting and land development projects.
• Solid understanding of land surveying principles and field survey methods.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy and quality in all survey drawings and documents.
• Effective problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues in survey data and documentation.
• Clear and professional communication skills for coordinating with surveying and engineering team members.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and contribute to shared project goals.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• LSIT (Land Surveyor in Training) certification is preferred.
• A related degree in surveying, civil engineering, or a closely aligned field is preferred.
• Knowledge of ALTA/NSPS standards and requirements for survey preparation.
• Experience supporting both residential and commercial land development projects.
• Familiarity with surveying and drafting software beyond AutoCAD Civil 3D is beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to build technical expertise in land surveying and grow within the profession.
• Strong teamwork skills and willingness to collaborate with experienced surveying and engineering professionals.

Work Environment

This role operates within an established consulting, civil engineering, and land surveying firm that supports a diverse range of residential and commercial projects for small to large builders and developers. The work environment emphasizes collaboration with experienced surveying and engineering professionals, providing opportunities to build technical expertise and advance a career in land surveying. Daily work relies on surveying and drafting technologies, including AutoCAD Civil 3D, and involves close coordination with field crews and office staff in a professional, detail-oriented setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Plymouth, MN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $33.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Plymouth, MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Plymouth,MN.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.