Survey Instrument Technician

Fairfax County Government; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County Government is seeking a skilled land survey professional to support field design, geodetic, construction, property, and as-built surveys. The role reports to the Chief of Survey Parties and requires knowledge of surveying principles and civil engineering basics related to construction processes.

You will join the Land Survey Branch within the Utilities Design and Construction Division to support capital projects.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in survey field methods and measurement.
• Ability to interpret legal descriptions and maps.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD and GIS.
• Proficient in MS Office.
• Ability to use surveying instruments.
• Mathematical and trigonometric skills for curves.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations.
• Data evaluation and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Operates surveying instruments (GPS, RTK) to collect data for field surveys.
• Sets and re-establishes lines, boundaries and control points.
• Performs stakeout and easement surveys.
• Directs survey crew during absence of party chief.
• Maintains survey equipment and vehicle; ensures supplies are stocked.

Skills

Survey field work

Math and engineering formulas

Legal descriptions & maps

MS Office

AutoCAD & GIS

Survey equipment handling

Data evaluation

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Trimble total stations

Trimble GPS equipment

Survey data collectors

Scanners

Job description

Grab your hard hat, plan set, and your data collector! Don't let this party pass you by!

This position serves in the completion of various types of field surveys such as design, geodetic, construction, property, and as-builts. Reports to the Chief of Survey Parties. The ideal candidate has knowledge of the principles of land surveying, and basic principles of civil engineering specifically relating to construction processes. This job puts you where the action is happening! Join a dynamic team for a career opportunity to build Fairfax!

DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Benefits

Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits:

• Benefits
• Retirement

Utilities Design and Construction Division manages the bid advertisement, contract award processes, and overseeing all aspects of construction contract management for transportation projects and stormwater projects including inspection, testing, code compliance, warranty, and project closeout. The Land Survey Branch provides professional surveying services for the construction, land acquisition, and design of capital projects.

Illustrative Duties

• Operates various surveying instruments including GPS & RTK equipment, and electronic data stations to collect data for pre-engineering design surveys, establish and re-establish lines for construction stakeout surveys and easement and property lines;
• Recovers property corners and sets traverse control points for boundary surveys;
• Sets and marks stakes for construction stakeout projects;
• Directs the survey party during the absence of the party chief and when acting for the Survey Crew Chief;
• Maintains survey equipment and survey vehicle and ensures vehicle is well stocked with supplies.

Required Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of survey field work;
• Working knowledge of mathematics, engineering formulas and techniques including trigonometric functions and the ability to compute curves;
• Working knowledge of applicable County, State and Federal laws, codes, and regulations;
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and the GIS system;
• Ability to properly use and correctly adjust 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 the solution of problems.

Employment Standards

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to high school graduation or a GED issued by a state department of education; plus two years of survey field work.

Certificates And Licenses Required

Valid motor vehicle operator's license.

Necessary Special Requirements

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from a five-year Surveying Apprenticeship Classroom Education Program.
• Three or more years of experience with use of all current field equipment within the last five years including Trimble total stations, scanners, data collectors, and Trimble GPS equipment.
• Three or more years of experience collecting and recording field data, codes data for accurate mapping, and interpreting data for design and construction surveys.
• Knowledge of mathematics and techniques including trigonometric functions and the ability to compute curves.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications.

Physical Requirements

Ability to endure variable and extreme weather conditions, possible exposure to snakes, insects, and poisonous plants. Ability to lift and carry 75 pounds over uneven natural terrain and over rough project sites including traversing up and