Survey Instrument Operator

Jobtailor; Midlothian (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a Field Survey Assistant to support field survey activities across transportation, civil, and infrastructure projects in Texas. You will operate Trimble equipment, learn to interpret plans and survey data, and assist the party chief in field tasks.

The role requires basic math, outdoor work, and up to 50% travel where needed. Candidates should have 1+ year of related experience or strong familiarity with surveying concepts, safety standards, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in surveying, construction layout, civil engineering, or related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of construction staking, level loops, boundary/topographic surveying, or field layout.
• Familiarity with Trimble equipment (GPS/Robotic Total Stations) or similar surveying tech is a plus.
• Basic math skills and ability to read plans, measurements, and field instructions.
• Ability to identify and use common construction materials, hand/power tools, and survey equipment.
• Strong safety, quality, teamwork, and dependable attendance commitment.
• Self-motivated, organized, able to work independently or with a field crew.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying conditions and travel up to 50% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Support field survey activities for transportation, civil, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
• Operate and learn to set up various surveying equipment and field tools.
• Assist party chief in all field efforts.
• Learn to read and interpret plans, drawings, survey data, and construction layouts.
• Use surveying equipment to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
• Maintain and store surveying equipment; ensure safety procedures and training compliance.

Skills

Surveying

Trimble Equipment

Construction Staking

Level Loops

Topographic Surveying

Field Layout

Basic Math

Safety Awareness

Tools

Trimble Equipment

Robotic Total Stations

Trimble Access

Surveying Tools

Job description

• Support field survey activities for transportation, civil, commercial, and infrastructure projects
• Operate and learn to use and set up various surveying equipment and related field tools
• Assist and support party chief in all field efforts
• Learn to read and interpret plans, electronic drawings, survey data, and construction layout information
• Utilize surveying equipment to measure angles, distances, and elevations
• Use critical thinking, common sense, and problem solving solutions to resolve issues within the field
• Complete project HASPs and actively communicate potential hazards or danger zones to the survey crew
• Maintain, clean, organize, and properly store surveying equipment and field materials
• Follow established safety procedures and complete required training, including personal fall arrest system training when applicable

Requirements

• 1+ years of experience in surveying, construction layout, civil engineering, or a related field environment preferred
• Working knowledge of construction staking, level loops, boundary and/or topographic surveying, and/or field layout practices
• Familiarity with Trimble equipment (GPS and Robotic Total Stations), Trimble Access software, or similar surveying technology is a plus
• Basic math skills and the ability to understand construction terminology, plans, measurements, and field instructions
• Ability to identify and use common construction materials, hand tools, power tools, and survey equipment
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, teamwork, and dependable attendance
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to work both independently and as part of a field crew
• Ability to work outdoors in varying conditions and work night shifts when project needs require
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed, up to 50% on average
• Reliable transportation to and from office location
• Ability to lift, push, pull, squat, crawl, and work in confined spaces as needed for field assignments
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have clean driving record

Core Competencies

Demonstrates proficiency in surveying techniques, including construction staking and topographic surveying, while ensuring adherence to safety protocols and effective communication within a field crew. Capable of operating Trimble equipment and interpreting construction plans and survey data.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Surveying Experience
• Trimble Equipment Operation
• Construction Layout Knowledge
• Safety Commitment
• Field Crew Collaboration

Hard Skills

• Surveying Techniques
• Construction Staking
• Level Loops
• Boundary Surveying
• Topographic Surveying
• Field Layout Practices
• Basic Math Skills
• Construction Terminology
• Measurements
• Field Instructions

Soft Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Self-Motivated
• Organized
• Teamwork

Certifications & Qualifications

• Personal Fall Arrest System Training

Industry Keywords

• Civil Engineering
• Construction
• Infrastructure Projects
• Field Survey Activities
• Hazard Communication

Tools & Technologies

• Trimble Equipment
• Robotic Total Stations
• Trimble Access Software
• Surveying Equipment
• Field Tools