Survey Instrument Operator

City of Fremont; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Job summary

The City of Fremont is seeking a Survey Instrument Operator for the Public Works Department. You will set up and operate electronic total stations, GNSS/GPS receivers, and drones for field data collection and mapping projects in Fremont, CA.

Ideal candidates understand plans and drawings, GIS/CAD workflows, and possess a valid California driver’s license. FAA Part 107 license is desirable for aerial mapping tasks.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school with coursework in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and drafting, and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience with a field survey crew.

Responsibilities

• Operates survey instruments and collects field data.
• Supports USA811 utility locating by identifying, marking, and mapping underground utilities using approved locating equipment and GPS tools.
• Assists with drone (UAS) operations for aerial mapping, site documentation, topographic surveys, and project monitoring, including field setup and ground control placement.
• Maintains survey equipment, GPS units, drones, electronic field books, and related tools to ensure proper functionality.
• Reads, interprets, and reviews maps, engineering plans, utility diagrams, and construction drawings.
• Collaborates with surveyors, inspectors, utility companies, and engineering staff to support project coordination.

Skills

Plan interpretation

Field data collection

Math & geometry

Team collaboration

Safe operation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Total stations

GNSS/GPS receivers

Digital levels

Data collectors

Drone operations

Job description

The City of Fremont's Public Works Department is recruiting for the position of Survey Instrument Operator.

The Department

The Public Works Department consists of Design Engineering, Development Engineering, Construction, Civic Facilities, Transportation, Survey, and Real Property sections. The department reviews all proposed land development projects in the City and executes the design and construction of public projects such as streets, parks, and public buildings.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate should be comfortable operating modern survey instruments including total stations, GNSS/GPS receivers, digital levels, and data collectors, and should be able to read and interpret plans, maps, and construction documents with accuracy. The role also values familiarity with digital workflows, GIS/CAD environments, and field-data collection technologies. While not required, possession of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 UAS license and demonstrated drone-based mapping experience is highly desirable, as aerial data collection is an increasingly valuable component of the City’s surveying and mapping operations.

First Review of Applications

The first review of applications is Monday, August 24, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (PT).

Selection Process

The process may include individual and/or panel interviews, professional reference checks, fingerprint check for criminal history, pre‑employment medical exam and other related components. Only those candidates who have the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Reasonable Accommodation

Human Resources will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources of any special needs a minimum of 5 days in advance of the selection process by calling [phone] or emailing [e-mail].

Contact Us

For additional information, please contact Human Resources Department at: [e-mail].

Class Specification

Definition

Under general supervision, sets up and operates an electronic total station instrument and level on construction and engineering survey assignments; performs related duties as required.

Class Characteristics

This journey level technical classification performs field and office survey work under the direction of the Chief of Party. The employee's assignments, objectives, work methods, and sequence of steps are explained in general terms. Work review is not constant, but checks are integrated into the work process. It is distinguished from the next higher classification of Chief of Party by the latter's responsibility to plan, organize, and lead the work of a survey crew.

Essential Functions

• Operates survey instruments including electronic total stations, theodolites, levels, transits, drones, and GNSS/GPS receivers for field data collection.
• Supports USA811 utility locating by identifying, marking, and mapping underground utilities using approved locating equipment and GPS tools.
• Assists with drone (UAS) operations for aerial mapping, site documentation, topographic surveys, and project monitoring, including field setup and ground control placement.
• Maintains survey equipment, GPS units, drones, electronic field books, and related tools to ensure proper functionality.
• Clears vegetation or brush to establish line of sight for survey operations.
• Reads, interprets, and reviews maps, engineering plans, utility diagrams, and construction drawings.
• Creates accurate field notes, sketches, and digital recordings of survey observations using manual methods or electronic field book systems.
• Operates and maintains survey vehicles, ensuring safe transport of equipment.
• Collaborates with surveyors, inspectors, utility companies, and engineering staff to support project coordination.
• Helps process drone imagery into orthomosaics, point clouds, or terrain models as directed.
• Provides support for asset management mapping, GIS updates, and utility system documentation.

Marginal Functions

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: Mathematics through algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; modern and office engineering terminology, equipment, practices and principles; survey theory, including slope reduction and differential level.

Skill in: Setting up, operating, cleaning, adjusting, and maintaining survey instruments and equipment; making field notes, sketches and calculations either manually or using electronic equipment; driving on paved and unpaved surfaces.

Ability to: Operate survey instruments and equipment including total station, USA locating equipment, and mapping tools; understand and follow written and verbal instructions and manuals; make accurate mathematical calculations; prepare accurate and legible field notes and drawings; develop and maintain cooperative work relationships with individuals from a variety of cultural and socio‑economic backgrounds; demonstrate good judgment and exercise initiative; operate EDM and other survey instruments and equipment; perform basic drafting; log and edit GIS features; work safely in traffic; work accurately with details.

Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.

Education/Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience which has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to satisfactory job performance would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be: graduation from high school with course work in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and drafting, and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience with a field survey crew.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements

Positions in this classification require possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License by the time of appointment. Failure to possess or maintain the valid required license shall result in discipline up to and including termination of employment. This classification requires the ability to travel independently within and outside of City limits.

Possession of or the ability to acquire a Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 license is desirable.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Rare = < 10%, Occasional = 11-33%, Frequent = 34-66%, Constant = >66%

Sitting: Occasional

Walking: Frequent

Standing: Frequent

Bending (neck): Frequent

Bending (waist): Occasional

Squatting: Rare

Climbing: Rare

Kneeling: Rare

Crawling: Rare

Jumping: Rare

Balancing: Rare

Twisting (neck): Occasional

Twisting (waist): Occassional

Grasp - light (dominant hand): Occasional

Grasp - light (non-dominant): Occasional

Grasp - firm (dominant hand): Rare

Grasp - firm (non-dominant): Rare

Fine manipulation (dominant): Occasional

Fine manipulation (non-dominant): Occasional

Reach - at/below shoulder: Rare

Reach - above shoulder level: Rare

Push/pull up to 10 lbs. Rare

11 to 25 lbs. Rare

26 to 50 lbs. Rare

51 to 75 lbs. Never

76 to 100 lbs. Never

over 100 lbs. Never

Lifting up to 10 lbs. Rare

11 to 25 lbs. Rare

26 to 50 lbs. Frequent

51 to 75 lbs. Never

76 to 100 lbs. Never

over 100 lbs. Never

Carrying up to 10 lbs. Frequent

11 to 25 lbs. Rare

26 to 50 lbs. Rare

51 to 75 lbs. Rare

76 to 100 lbs. Never

over 100 lbs. Never

Coordination Eye-hand: Required

Eye-hand-foot: Not required

Driving: Required

Vision Acuity, near: Required

Acuity, far: Required

Depth perception: Required

Accommodation: Required

Color vision: Required

Field of vision: Required

Talking Face-to-face contact: Required

Verbal contact w/others: Required

Public: Required

Hearing Normal conversation: Required

Telephone communication: Required

Earplugs required: Not required

Work Environment Works indoors, works outdoors, exposure to extreme hot or cold temperature, being around moving machinery, exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, odors, mists, or other irritating particles, exposure to radiation or electrical energy, exposure to slippery or uneven walking surfaces, using computer monitor, exposure to vibration, works around others, works alone, works with others.

Supplemental Information

Class Code: 5465

FLSA: Non-exempt

EEOC Code: 3

Barg. Unit: OE3

Probation: 12 Months

Rev.: 07/26

The City of Fremont offers a comprehensive benefit package including general and holiday leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long/short-term disability insurance.

To view a summary of the benefits the City offers, please visit: City of Fremont Benefits Summary

Supplemental Questions

01

• Yes
• No

02

• Did not complete high school or equivalent
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Some college
• AA degree
• Bachelor's degree or higher

03

Do you have course work in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and drafting? If yes, please list where the course work was taken and when.

04

• Yes
• No, but I can obtain one by the time of appointment.

05

• None
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years or more

06

Please describe your years of progressively responsible experience with a field survey crew (agency name, dates of employment, duties). If you do not have this type of experience, please enter "N/A".

07

• Yes
• No

08

• Yes
• No

09

• Yes
• No

10

• Yes
• No

11

• Yes
• No

12

• Yes
• No
• Required Question