Survey Instrument Operator

Actalent; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

HSA contribution

401k match

Job summary

The Survey Instrument Operator at Actalent in Virginia Beach performs a range of surveying tasks and supports the Survey Party Chief in field surveys for roads, bridges, and sites. You’ll set lines, stakeouts, and traverse points, and may lead the party when needed.

The role requires travel across Virginia and nearby states, heavy fieldwork, and careful handling of survey instruments. This is a full-time, onsite position with Per diem and lodging considerations.

Qualifications

• Experience in land surveying and construction stakeout.
• Ability to interpret legal descriptions and plans.
• Will travel extensively across Virginia and surrounding states.
• Strong arithmetic and measurement skills.
• Ability to lead a survey party when required.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate survey equipment (data collectors, levels, GPS).
• Perform stakeout and location surveys.
• Direct survey party in the absence of the chief.
• Establish lines for stakeout and property lines.
• Recover property corners and set traverse control points.
• Set and mark stakes for construction stakeout projects.

Skills

Proficiency in surveying

Basic math

Survey software familiarity

Drafting symbols knowledge

Survey instruments handling

Property line laws

Safety rules

Travel readiness

Tools

GPS devices

Data collectors

Levels

Survey computation software

Job description

Job Title: Survey Instrument Operator

Job Description

The Survey Instrument Operator will perform a variety of surveying tasks and support the Survey Party Chief in conducting land surveys of roads, bridges, and building sites. The role involves establishing and re-establishing lines for construction stakeout surveys and easement and property lines, recovering property corners, and setting traverse control points for boundary surveys. The operator will also set and mark stakes for construction projects and may lead the survey party in the absence of the Survey Party Chief.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate survey equipment, including data collectors, levels, and GPS devices.
• Perform all aspects of stakeout and location surveys using appropriate survey equipment.
• Direct the survey party in the absence of the Survey Party Chief.
• Establish and re-establish lines for construction stakeout surveys and easement and property lines.
• Recover property corners and set traverse control points for boundary surveys.
• Set and mark stakes for construction stakeout projects.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in construction and land surveying.
• Basic math competency.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn survey computer programs and computations.
• Familiarity with the nomenclature and symbols of drafting.
• Understanding of surveying instruments and equipment and their proper use and care.
• Knowledge of state law regarding the establishment of property lines.
• Familiarity with job-site and traffic control safety rules.
• Ability to handle heavy travel, GPS, topographic surveys, and land development.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to use a basic calculator and make accurate arithmetic computations.
• Competence in properly using and adjusting survey equipment.
• Ability to conduct research and evaluate data.
• Ability to understand and interpret legal descriptions, engineering plans, maps, and field data.
• Ability to apply basic surveying principles to solve problems.
• Ability to follow directions and communicate effectively both orally and in writing as a team member.

Work Environment

The role requires willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout Virginia and surrounding states, with heavy travel to Cherry Point, NC. Per diem and lodging will be provided. The position may require working overtime as needed.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Virginia Beach, VA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36920.00 - $41600.00/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

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Virginia Beach,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.