Survey Party Chief

Actalent; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Party Chief – Surveying to lead field crews in North Florida, primarily Gainesville, ensuring accurate survey data and timely project delivery. The role requires hands-on field work, supervision of crew members, and maintaining equipment in good condition.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years as a survey party chief, HS diploma or GED, and strong knowledge of ALTA/topographic surveys, with proficiency in Total Station and GPS methods.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• 3–5 years of experience as a survey party chief or lead.
• Proven ability to lead a survey crew in the field.
• Hands-on land surveying experience: staking, ALTA, topographic surveys.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the survey crew and coordinate daily work to meet project schedules.
• Monitor field data quality and perform calculations.
• Maintain and care for survey instruments and equipment.
• Ensure data accuracy and regulatory compliance across surveys.
• Lead safety procedures and record field notes and logs.
• Communicate findings with clients, engineers, and office staff.

Skills

Leadership

Field surveying

Total Station

GPS methods

Field calculations

Safety compliance

Communication

Driver's license

Education

HS diploma or GED

Tools

Total Station/Data Collector

GPS equipment

Survey software

Job description

Job Title: Party Chief – SurveyingJob Description

Responsibilities

• Locate, review, and research job locations to identify landmarks, physical features, and land changes that may affect survey results.
• Supervise the work of the survey crew, set priorities, and coordinate and organize daily work efforts to meet project schedules.
• Monitor the quality of work being performed and perform necessary field calculations based on data collected.
• Oversee the proper use, care, and maintenance of all survey instruments, tools, and equipment.
• Ensure that all measured angles, distances, and other collected survey data are accurate and comply with applicable regulations and standards.
• Coordinate survey findings with engineering personnel, clients, and other stakeholders involved in each project.
• Research previous survey evidence, maps, deeds, physical evidence, and other records to obtain data needed for current surveys.
• Determine appropriate methods and procedures for establishing or reestablishing survey control points.
• Maintain accurate field notes, records, and sketches to clearly document all work performed.
• Complete daily logs, time and expense reports, and other required project documentation in a timely manner.
• Complete company and client safety forms and ensure all crew members consistently follow safety procedures and protocols.
• Consult with office and computer personnel and review final survey deliverables to verify accuracy and completeness.
• Lead, guide, and mentor survey crew members, promoting teamwork, safety, and high-quality work in the field.
• Apply experience in construction staking, boundary surveys, ALTA surveys, topographic surveys, and related survey tasks to support project needs.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of experience as a survey party crew chief or survey party chief (candidates with slightly less experience may be considered based on overall qualifications).
• High school diploma or GED.
• Proven ability to lead and supervise a survey crew effectively in the field.
• Hands‑on experience with land surveying, including construction staking, boundary surveys, ALTA surveys, topographic surveys, and land development projects.
• Proficiency with survey equipment such as Total Station/Data Collector, level, and various Global Positioning System (GPS) methods.
• Familiarity with commonly used surveying terms, practices, and field procedures.
• Experience with data collection using Total Stations and related survey instruments.
• Ability to survey independently and manage field tasks with minimal supervision.
• Strong technical and process‑oriented mindset, with a methodical, consistent, and detail‑oriented approach to work.
• Analytical problem‑solving skills and the ability to identify and resolve issues in the field.
• Ability to work alone when required while maintaining productivity and accuracy.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with crew members, office staff, and clients.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• Ability to pass a background check and drug test.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with boundary survey software and construction stakeout workflows.
• Familiarity with topographic surveys, land survey practices, and land development projects.
• Experience working on transportation-related projects, including DOT and FDOT projects.
• Exposure to commercial, federal, government, industrial, power company, and warehouse project environments.
• Comfort working within structured processes and established standards, with a strong dislike for errors and a commitment to accuracy.
• Steady, helpful, and precise work style, with a preference for organized, structured tasks and clear procedures.
• Ability to maintain composure and focus while working long hours in demanding field conditions.

Work Environment

This is a field-focused role that requires extensive outdoor work year‑round in North Florida and surrounding areas. The schedule typically runs Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with overtime available depending on project demands; surveyors generally work 50–60 hours per week. The role involves approximately 50% travel, including some overnight trips, and the Party Chief reports to the Charleston office daily to meet with the surveying team before heading to project sites. The position requires frequent walking over long distances, climbing hills, and traversing a variety of terrains in extreme heat and cold, as well as working in environments that may contain venomous snakes and insects such as ticks, red bugs, wasps, bees, hornets, and yellow jackets. The job involves lifting and carrying up to 75 pounds and standing for extended periods while operating survey equipment. A company truck is provided for work‑related travel, and the Party Chief may take the company truck home as part of the role. The work environment is safety‑focused, equipment‑intensive, and highly collaborative, with regular interaction between field crews and office personnel using modern surveying instruments, GPS technologies, and related software to deliver accurate and reliable survey data.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Gainesville, FL.

Pay and Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $30.00/hr.

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.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Gainesville,FL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 2026.

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.