Survey Party Chief

AECOM; Cockeysville (MD); On-site; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM in Hunt Valley, MD is seeking a Survey Party Chief to lead field survey crews and perform boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, and right-of-way surveys. The role involves directing crew, operating surveying equipment, and communicating field requirements to the project team, with travel required.

You should have 3–5+ years of field experience, proficiency with robotic total stations, GPS/GNSS, data collectors, and familiarity with AutoCAD/Civil 3D or similar software. A U.S.

Qualifications

• High school diploma + 4 years related experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience/education.
• Proven experience with surveying principles, field procedures, and construction layout.
• Experience with robotic total stations, GPS/GNSS, data collectors, and digital levels.
• Experience interpreting construction plans, plats, deeds, and survey documents.
• Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and be able to pass MVR.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Position requires frequent travel to field locations; overnight travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead field survey crew and oversee boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, utility, and as-built surveys.
• Set up and operate total stations, robotic total stations, GPS/GNSS equipment, data collectors, levels, and related tools.
• Collect accurate field measurements, elevations, points, and site data.
• Identify property corners, monuments, utilities, and other features; read and interpret survey plans and legal descriptions.
• Maintain field notes, data, sketches, and survey docs; review for accuracy.
• Coordinate with project managers, licensed surveyors, and field personnel; communicate field conditions.
• Ensure proper calibration and maintenance of survey equipment; follow safety procedures.
• Travel to various field locations; manage daily field activities to keep projects on schedule.

Skills

Field leadership

Surveying

Total stations

GPS/GNSS

Data collection

Education

Associate/Bachelor's in surveying or geomatics

SIT/PLS licensure (preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD/Civil 3D

Trimble Business Center

Leica Infinity

Job description

• Legal Entity: AECOM Technical Services Inc
• Business Line: Transportation
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Primary Location: US - Hunt Valley, MD - 4 North Park
• Compensation: USD 32 - USD 39 - hourly

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

The Survey Party Chief supervises and performs field surveying activities for boundary, topographic, construction, ALTA/NSPS, right-of-way, and other land-survey projects. The Party Chief is responsible for directing the field crew, operating and maintaining surveying equipment, collecting accurate field measurements, and communicating project requirements and field conditions to the surveyor or project manager. This role will require travel.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a field survey crew, typically consisting of survey technicians and instrument operators.
• Perform boundary, topographic, construction, ALTA/NSPS, utility, and as-built surveys.
• Set up, operate, and troubleshoot total stations, robotic total stations, GPS/GNSS equipment, data collectors, levels, and other surveying instruments.
• Collect accurate field measurements, elevations, points, and site information.
• Locate and identify property corners, monuments, utilities, structures, and other physical features.
• Read and interpret survey plats, construction drawings, legal descriptions, plans, and specifications.
• Maintain organized field notes, electronic data, sketches, photographs, and survey documentation.
• Check field measurements and calculations for accuracy and completeness.
• Download, review, and organize field data for processing by survey technicians or office staff.
• Communicate with project managers, licensed surveyors, contractors, engineers, clients, and other field personnel.
• Identify potential discrepancies, access issues, boundary conflicts, or other field conditions and report them promptly.
• Maintain survey equipment and ensure instruments are properly calibrated and functioning.
• Follow company safety procedures and applicable OSHA and project-specific requirements.
• Train and mentor junior survey crew members and field technicians.
• Manage daily field activities to keep projects on schedule and within budget.

Qualifications

• High school diploma +4 years of related experience or demonstrated equivalencyof experience and/or education.
• Demonstrated experience withsurveying principles, field procedures, and construction layout.
• Demonstrated experience with robotic total stations, GPS/GNSS equipment, data collectors, and digital levels.
• Experience interpretingconstruction plans, plats, deeds, and survey documents.
• Must have a valid U.S. driver's license and as a condition of employment, must be able to pass AECOM's Motor Vehicle Records review.
• Due to the nature of work, U.S. citizenship is required.
• Position requires frequent traveling to field locations. Locations and distances vary and will include overnight travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with surveying, geomatics, or related education is preferred.
• Typically 3–5+ years of progressive land-surveying field experience, with experience leading a crew.
• Strong mathematical, measurement, and problem-solving skills.
• ability to travel to various job sites.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and terrain conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry surveying equipment and perform physical fieldwork.
• Experience with Trimble, Leica, Topcon, or similar surveying equipment.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD/Civil 3D, Trimble Business Center, Leica Infinity, or similar software.
• Experience with construction staking and high-precision layout.
• Knowledge of local surveying standards, regulations, and property research procedures.
• Associate's degree or bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering, or a related field.
• Progress toward or eligibility for Surveyor-in-Training (SIT) or Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) licensure.

Additional Information

• Relocation is notavailable for this position.
• Sponsorship for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.