Survey Party Chief

Tetra Tech, Inc. in; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Merit-based rewards

Work-life balance

Collaborative team atmosphere

Professional development

Job summary

Tetra Tech is seeking a Survey Crew Chief to join our Oakland, CA team. You will lead field crews performing topographic, boundary, construction staking, GPS control, and utility surveys for infrastructure projects.

You will work closely with licensed land surveyors, engineers, GIS specialists, and project managers to ensure accurate data collection while maintaining safety. Experience with GPS/GNSS, robotic total stations, and AutoCAD Civil 3D is preferred.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of progressively responsible land surveying experience, including lead field technician roles.
• Valid California driver’s license with clean driving record.
• Experience operating GPS/GNSS equipment, robotic total stations, and conventional survey instruments.
• Ability to lead field crews while maintaining quality, safety, and productivity.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in the field.
• LSIT certification or ability to obtain within six months.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct survey crews during field operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and accuracy.
• Perform topographic, boundary, construction staking, GPS control, and utility surveys.
• Operate and maintain survey equipment including robotic total stations, GNSS/GPS receivers, and data collectors.
• Collect field data in accordance with project specifications and client requirements.
• Coordinate daily field activities with project managers, engineers, and licensed land surveyors.
• Train and mentor survey assistants and junior field personnel.
• Assist with survey calculations, field notes, quality control, and data transfer for office processing.
• Support survey mapping and Civil 3D workflows; utilize UAV and terrestrial laser scanning as needed.

Skills

Leadership of field crews

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Independent work in the field

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Surveying / GIS / Civil Engineering

LSIT certification or ability to obtain within six months

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

GIS platforms

UAV surveying

Terrestrial laser scanning

Survey data processing

Job description

Tetra Tech is seeking a Survey Crew Chief to join our Oakland, CA team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead field survey operations supporting a wide variety of transportation, municipal, utility, site development, and infrastructure projects.

Why Tetra Tech

At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world's most complex challenges. Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world. For over 50 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development. Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.

The Impact

Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world‑class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential. Join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.

Position Summary

As a Survey Crew Chief, you will lead field survey crews performing topographic, boundary, construction, GPS control, and utility surveys for a diverse portfolio of infrastructure projects. Working closely with licensed land surveyors, engineers, GIS specialists, and project managers, you will ensure accurate, high-quality data collection while maintaining a safe and efficient field environment. This role also offers exposure to emerging technologies including UAV surveys and laser scanning.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are considered essential to the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Lead and direct survey crews during field operations, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and accurately.
• Perform topographic, boundary, construction staking, GPS control, and utility surveys.
• Operate and maintain survey equipment including robotic total stations, GNSS/GPS receivers, digital levels, and data collectors.
• Collect field data in accordance with project specifications, survey standards, and client requirements.
• Coordinate daily field activities with project managers, engineers, and licensed land surveyors.
• Train and mentor survey assistants and junior field personnel.
• Assist with survey calculations, field notes, quality control, and data transfer for office processing.
• Support survey mapping and Civil 3D workflows as needed.
• Utilize emerging technologies including UAV (drone) surveys and terrestrial laser scanning when applicable.
• Maintain company vehicles, equipment, and safety standards while working in a variety of field conditions.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3-5+ years of progressively responsible land surveying experience, including experience serving as a Survey Crew Chief or lead field technician.
• Valid California driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Experience operating GPS/GNSS equipment, robotic total stations, and conventional survey instruments.
• Strong understanding of boundary, topographic, construction staking, and control surveys.
• Ability to lead field crews while maintaining quality, safety, and productivity.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in the field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree in Surveying, Geomatics, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• LSIT certification or ability to obtain within six months.
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D and survey data processing.
• Familiarity with GIS platforms.
• Experience with UAV surveying and/or terrestrial laser scanning technologies.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform fieldwork in varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Ability to walk long distances over uneven terrain.
• Ability to climb slopes, enter construction sites, and occasionally access trenches or elevated areas.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and use of survey equipment.
• Combination of outdoor fieldwork and occasional office work.
• Exposure to changing weather conditions, construction sites, traffic, uneven terrain, and active project locations.
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

Salary $75k - $110k dependent on experience

The perks of working at Tetra Tech include:

• Comprehensive and market‑competitive benefits.
• Merit‑based financial rewards.
• Flexibility and company‑wide commitment to work/life balance.
• Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees.
• Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth.

About Tetra Tech:

Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high‑end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.

Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.

We invite applications from all interested parties.

Explore our open positions at https://www.tetratech.com/careers

Follow us on social media to learn more about our people, culture, and opportunities:

LinkedIn: @TetraTechCareersX (Twitter): @TetraTechJobs