Survey Instrument Operator

ACTalent; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

HSA contribution

401(k) match

Boot allowance

Job summary

Actalent in Chantilly, VA, is hiring a Survey Instrument Operator to support field surveying for roads, bridges, and building sites. The role centers on stakeout lines, boundaries, and setting control points, with outdoor work and travel between sites.

The position requires a High School Diploma or GED, 1+ year surveying experience, and proficiency with Trimble/Leica/Topcon tools. A valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a drug test are required.

Qualifications

• 1+ years surveying experience preferred.
• Experience operating surveying equipment (Trimble, Leica, Total Station).
• Valid driver's license with travel as needed.
• Ability to pass a drug test and background check.

Responsibilities

• Assist Survey Party Chief on land surveys for roads, bridges, and buildings.
• Establish and re-establish lines for stakeout surveys and property boundaries.
• Recover property corners and set traverse control points.
• Set and mark stakes with high accuracy for stakeout projects.
• Operate survey equipment and download data files daily for reporting.
• Maintain field inventory and supplies for daily operations.
• Travel between project sites with the Party Chief in a company vehicle.

Skills

Surveying experience

Equipment operation

Driver's license

Drug test & background

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Trimble GPS

Leica instruments

Topcon systems

Total Station

Data collectors

Job description

Job Description

The Survey Instrument Operator performs a wide range of field surveying assignments and supports the Survey Party Chief in conducting land surveys for roads, bridges, and building sites. This role focuses on establishing and re-establishing lines for construction stakeout surveys, easement and property lines, recovering property corners, setting traverse control points for boundary surveys, and placing and marking stakes for construction projects. The position is ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors, operating surveying equipment, and contributing to accurate and reliable survey results.

Job Title: Survey Instrument Operator

The Survey Instrument Operator performs a wide range of field surveying assignments and supports the Survey Party Chief in conducting land surveys for roads, bridges, and building sites. This role focuses on establishing and re-establishing lines for construction stakeout surveys, easement and property lines, recovering property corners, setting traverse control points for boundary surveys, and placing and marking stakes for construction projects. The position is ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors, operating surveying equipment, and contributing to accurate and reliable survey results.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Survey Party Chief in conducting land surveys for roads, bridges, and building sites.
• Establish and re-establish lines for construction stakeout surveys, easements, and property boundaries.
• Recover property corners and set traverse control points for boundary and construction surveys.
• Set and mark stakes for construction stakeout projects with high accuracy and attention to detail.
• Set up and operate survey equipment, including data collectors, levels, and GPS units, to perform all aspects of stakeout and location surveys.
• Load, maintain, and operate field equipment such as Total Stations, data collectors, levels, magnetic locators, hand-held radios, and related tools.
• Download data collector files each afternoon and complete reports in the job files book to ensure accurate documentation of survey data.
• Maintain field supply inventory, including stakes, pins, nails, flagging, and other materials required for daily survey operations.
• Perform field tasks such as chaining, hub driving, setting up prisms, giving sights, and carrying tools and supplies across varying terrain.
• Open manholes and other inlet structures, and perform digging and brush cutting as needed to access survey points.
• Conduct topographic, boundary, construction, transportation, highway, hydrographic, and ALTA surveys as directed, using appropriate survey methods and equipment.
• Use surveying equipment and related technologies, including Trimble GPS, Leica instruments, Topcon systems, drone image capturing software, and topographic mapping tools, as applicable to project needs.
• Accurately record and verify survey results in accordance with established procedures and quality standards.
• Travel between project sites with the Party Chief in a company vehicle and support safe and efficient field operations.

Essential Skills

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 1+ years of surveying experience preferred, including land surveying, transportation surveys, and use of surveying equipment.
• Experience operating surveying equipment such as Trimble, Leica, Total Station, data collectors, levels, magnetic locators, hand-held radios, GPS units, and related tools.
• Comfortable conducting land surveys of roads, bridges, and building sites, including work in varied outdoor conditions.
• Valid driver's license with the ability to travel 1020% as needed for project assignments.
• Ability to pass a drug test and background check.

Work Environment

The Survey Instrument Operator travels between project sites with the Party Chief in a company vehicle and may be assigned to projects supported by multiple offices through a workshare model. Team members participate in company events such as golf tournaments, chili cook-off competitions, and holiday parties, with travel provided for staff from other offices to attend.

Benefits include free vision, dental, and life insurance, approximately 80% of healthcare insurance costs covered, a contribution to a Health Savings Account, a 4% 401(k) match, and a yearly boot allowance through a Red Wing account to cover the cost of steel-toed boots.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Chantilly, VA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $37440.00 - $58250.00/yr.

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.

• Free Vision, dental, and life insurance -80% of health care insurance covered -$900 contribution to HSA -4% 401k match -Yearly boot allowance through Redwing Account (provided for each member to cover cost of steel-toed boots)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 27, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chantilly,VA.

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.