Survey Party Chief

Artesian Water Company; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Artesian Water Company seeks a Survey Party Chief to lead field surveying for water and wastewater projects. You will operate GPS/GNSS equipment and robotic total stations, establish survey control, and collect precise field data to support the Systems Planning and Design Department.

You will review plans and deeds, document site features, perform staking, and coordinate with owners, contractors, and engineers.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record.
• Three to five years of progressive land surveying experience.
• Experience operating GPS/GNSS equipment, robotic total stations, levels, and electronic data collectors.
• Ability to read and interpret survey plans, deeds, plats, easements, and property records.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy; able to lead a field crew.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily field surveying activities and coordinate the work of survey crew members.
• Perform boundary, topographic, utility, construction, and as-built surveys for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Operate GPS/GNSS equipment, robotic total stations, levels, data collectors, and other surveying equipment.
• Establish and maintain survey control points, benchmarks, elevations, and horizontal and vertical control.
• Collect accurate field measurements and record property, utility, topographic, and infrastructure information.
• Locate and document existing water, wastewater, stormwater, utility, roadway, and other site features.
• Perform construction staking, utility layout, elevation checks, and other field surveying services as required.
• Review deeds, plats, easements, right-of-way information, construction plans, and other documents to support field surveying activities.
• Verify field conditions against existing plans, drawings, GIS information, and survey records.
• Ensure field notes, measurements, sketches, photographs, and electronic survey data are complete and accurate.
• Download, organize, and transfer survey data for use by surveyors, engineers, designers, GIS staff, and other project personnel.
• Identify potential discrepancies or issues in the field and communicate them to the Professional Land Surveyor, engineers, or project manager.
• Maintain and inspect surveying equipment and report equipment issues or calibration needs.
• Utilize CAD, GIS, surveying, and other technical software to process and analyze survey information.
• Ensure surveying equipment, vehicles, tools, and materials are properly secured and maintained.
• Coordinate with property owners, contractors, utility representatives, developers, and other stakeholders while conducting fieldwork.
• Follow applicable surveying standards, company procedures, safety requirements, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a safe work environment for the survey crew, particularly near roadways, construction areas, excavation sites, and operating utility facilities.
• Assist with training and mentoring Survey Technicians and other field personnel.
• Assist the Professional Land Surveyor with preparation and review of survey documents, plats, exhibits, and other project deliverables.
• Assist with consultant and contractor coordination as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Independent work

Computers and data collection

Boundary/topographic surveying

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or technical certificate in Surveying, Geomatics, or Civil Engineering Technology

Tools

GPS/GNSS equipment

Robotic total stations

Levels

Data collectors

AutoCAD

Civil 3D / ArcGIS

Job description

The Survey Party Chief leads field surveying activities supporting water and wastewater system planning, design, construction, and maintenance. This position operates surveying equipment, collects and verifies field data, establishes survey control, and coordinates daily field activities to ensure accurate and complete survey information is provided to the Systems Planning and Design Department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead daily field surveying activities and coordinate the work of survey crew members.
• Perform boundary, topographic, utility, construction, and as-built surveys for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Operate GPS/GNSS equipment, robotic total stations, levels, data collectors, and other surveying equipment.
• Establish and maintain survey control points, benchmarks, elevations, and horizontal and vertical control.
• Collect accurate field measurements and record property, utility, topographic, and infrastructure information.
• Locate and document existing water, wastewater, stormwater, utility, roadway, and other site features.
• Perform construction staking, utility layout, elevation checks, and other field surveying services as required.
• Review deeds, plats, easements, right-of-way information, construction plans, and other documents to support field surveying activities.
• Verify field conditions against existing plans, drawings, GIS information, and survey records.
• Ensure field notes, measurements, sketches, photographs, and electronic survey data are complete and accurate.
• Download, organize, and transfer survey data for use by surveyors, engineers, designers, GIS staff, and other project personnel.
• Identify potential discrepancies or issues in the field and communicate them to the Professional Land Surveyor, engineers, or project manager.
• Maintain and inspect surveying equipment and report equipment issues or calibration needs.
• Utilize CAD, GIS, surveying, and other technical software to process and analyze survey information.
• Ensure surveying equipment, vehicles, tools, and materials are properly secured and maintained.
• Coordinate with property owners, contractors, utility representatives, developers, and other stakeholders while conducting fieldwork.
• Follow applicable surveying standards, company procedures, safety requirements, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a safe work environment for the survey crew, particularly when working near roadways, construction areas, excavation sites, and operating utility facilities.
• Assist with training and mentoring Survey Technicians and other field personnel.
• Assist the Professional Land Surveyor with preparation and review of survey documents, plats, exhibits, and other project deliverables.
• Assist with consultant and contractor coordination as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• A valid driver’s license with clean driving record in accordance with company and insurance standards
• Three to five years of progressive land surveying experience, preferably involving utility, civil infrastructure, or land development projects.
• Experience operating GPS/GNSS equipment, robotic total stations, levels, and electronic data collectors.
• Working knowledge of boundary, topographic, utility, and construction surveying practices.
• Ability to read and interpret survey plans, construction drawings, deeds, plats, easements, and property records.
• Ability to accurately collect, record, and verify field data.
• Ability to calculate distances, elevations, angles, coordinates, and other survey measurements.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to lead a field crew and effectively communicate work assignments and expectations.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in the field.
• Proficiency with computers and electronic data collection systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience surveying water, wastewater, utility, or other public infrastructure.
• Associate degree or technical certificate in Surveying, Geomatics, Civil Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, or other CAD/GIS software.
• Experience with utility easements and right-of-way surveys.
• Experience with construction staking and as-built surveys.
• Knowledge of Delaware and/or Maryland surveying requirements and property records.
• Progress toward obtaining a Surveyor-in-Training (SIT) or Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Heavy- Exerting 50 to 100lbs of force occasionally and/or more than 50lbs. of force frequently and/or more than 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are more than those for Heavy work.
• Ability to regularly work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, climb, and navigate uneven or undeveloped terrain.
• Ability to operate surveying equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to work near active construction sites, roadways, excavation areas, and operating utility facilities.
• Visual acuity required to read maps, plans, survey documents, instruments, and computer screens.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, contractors, property owners, and other stakeholders.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Primarily field-based with periodic work in an office environment.
• Regular exposure to outdoor weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, and high winds.
• May be exposed to uneven terrain, vegetation, mud, dust, noise, and moving equipment.
• May work near roadways, active construction sites, excavation areas, and operating utility facilities.
• May occasionally be required to work outside normal business hours to support project or construction activities.
• Regular travel to utility facilities, project sites, properties, and other locations within the company’s service area.
• Work requires adherence to company safety procedures and use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Artesian is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.