Survey Party Chief

UES; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

UES is seeking an experienced Survey Party Chief to lead field operations on diverse surveying projects in California. You will operate robotic total stations, GPS, terrestrial scanners, and digital levels to collect accurate data while mentoring a survey crew and documenting field work.

This role requires extensive outdoor work, adherence to safety protocols, and frequent travel up to 70% to support projects and client engagements. A valid driver’s license and strong data accuracy are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of experience as a Party Chief.
• Proven ability to lead field survey operations and crews.
• Ability to interpret design/construction plans and legal deeds.

Responsibilities

• Conduct control, route, topographic, boundary, and construction surveys to project specs.
• Operate robotic total stations, GPS, scanners, and digital levels in the field.
• Prepare daily field reports and maintain accurate survey records.
• Lead and mentor a survey crew and ensure safe, efficient operations.

Skills

Team leadership

Field data collection

Interpretation of plans

Metes and bounds reading

Strong attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Robotic total stations

GPS systems

Terrestrial scanners

Digital levels

Survey field notebooks

Job description

Overview

At UES, we’re a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

Position Overview

The role of a Survey Party Chief is to lead field operations for a variety of surveying projects, including control, route, topographic, boundary, and construction surveys. This includes operating advanced surveying equipment such as robotic total stations, GPS systems, terrestrial scanners, and digital levels to accurately collect and record field data in compliance with industry standards, project specifications, and client requirements. Other duties will include supervising and mentoring a survey crew, maintaining precise field notes and documentation, and performing physically demanding tasks in challenging environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct control, route, topographic, boundary, and construction surveys in accordance with project specifications and industry standards
• Operate advanced surveying equipment, including robotic total stations, GPS systems, terrestrial scanners, and digital levels
• Collect and record field data, ensuring compliance with applicable procedures, codes, and client requirements. Familiarity with survey codes and standards is highly desirable
• Clear brush lines, driving stakes, navigating rugged terrain, and setting monuments
• Prepare detailed daily field reports, including progress and safety documentation
• Lead and supervise a survey crew, ensuring efficient and professional field operations
• Maintain precise field notes, sketches, and survey documentation
• Train and mentor junior crew members, fostering skill development and teamwork
• Safely operate and maintain company vehicles and survey equipment, ensuring proper care and readiness
• Perform other duties as assigned to support project and company objectives

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience as a Party Chief, with a proven track record of leading successful field survey operations
• Client-focused and results-oriented, with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality service
• Proficient in interpreting design and construction plans, as well as metes and bounds descriptions from deeds, plats, and other legal documents
• Demonstrated ability to follow detailed instructions and quickly adapt to evolving standards, procedures, and project requirements
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks efficiently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy
• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with sound judgment in field decision-making
• Experience with line coding and data collection best practices
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Travel Requirements

• This position requires extensive travel, approximately up to 70% of the time, in support of business objectives and client engagements. Travel may be both scheduled and on short notice, depending on project needs. Destinations typically include job sites, field locations, or regional offices, where work may be conducted in outdoor or operational environments. Adherence to all company safety protocols and use of PPE is required during travel and on-site work.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• This position primarily works in an outdoor work environment, regularly exposed to varying field conditions, including:
  • Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, fields, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man-made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris.
  • Moderate to loud noise levels, common in active construction and industrial environments.
  • Exposure to environmental elements including dirt, dust, sun, heat, humidity, and adverse weather conditions.
• The physical requirements for this position may include and are not limited to:
  • Ability to lift and/or carry 35 to 75 lbs. up to 75 feet, involving regular repetitive motion.
  • Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate equipment for extended periods.
  • Frequent use of hands and arms for typing, handling tools, and operating equipment.
  • Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, climb, balance, lift, carry, and push as required for fieldwork and inspections.
  • Ability to speak and hear effectively to communicate in noisy environments and with project teams.
  • Ability to use your senses to see (including close, distant, and peripheral vison, depth vision, and ability to focus) smell, hear, touch (use hands to reach climb or balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit).

EEO Statement

UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page here

Posted Salary Range

Starting from USD $80,000.00/Yr.