Survey Party Chief

WithersRavenel; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WithersRavenel in Wilmington, NC seeks a Survey Party Chief to lead a field crew in boundary, topographic, construction layout, and control surveys. You will oversee daily field operations, ensure data quality, and mentor junior staff while maintaining rigorous safety practices.

This role requires 3+ years in land surveying, including leadership experience, proficiency with total stations and GNSS, and the ability to read plats and deeds.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive land surveying experience, including at least 1 year leading a survey crew or serving as a Survey Party Chief.
• Working knowledge of boundary, topographic, construction, and control surveys, including field data collection and construction layout.
• Proficiency with total stations, data collectors, GNSS/GPS equipment, and related surveying technology.
• Ability to read and interpret plats, deeds, easements, engineering plans, and construction documents.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to safety and developing junior staff.
• Valid driver’s license with the ability to pass an MVR check and ability to perform outdoor fieldwork in varying weather and terrain, including lifting and carrying equipment up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a field survey crew performing boundary, topographic, construction layout, and control surveys
• Plan field activities and participate in project planning discussions with project managers, engineers, and contractors
• Collect field survey data using conventional methods and GNSS technology
• Operate and maintain surveying equipment including total stations, data collectors, and GNSS instruments
• Perform field calculations and review data for accuracy and closure
• Maintain clear and organized field notes, sketches, and documentation
• Research survey records such as plats, deeds, easements, and right-of-way documents
• Train and mentor junior survey staff while reinforcing safe field practices
• Support project documentation and maintain survey records and files
• Occasionally assist with office-based survey tasks to support professional development toward licensure

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Safety

Team mentoring

Education

CST I/II/III Certification

Geomatics coursework

College/technical surveying coursework

Tools

GNSS/GPS equipment

Total stations

Data collectors

Job description

Description

At WithersRavenel, our survey teams are the boots-on-the-ground professionals who bring projects to life. As a Survey Party Chief, you’ll lead a field survey crew responsible for collecting accurate data that supports boundary, topographic, construction, and control surveys. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors, leading a team, and solving technical challenges in the field. The Survey Party Chief primarily works outdoors in environments such as construction sites, roadways, wooded areas, residential developments, and other project locations.

You’ll oversee daily field operations, ensure quality and accuracy in data collection, and play a key role in training and mentoring survey crew members. In addition to technical expertise, this position requires strong leadership, organization, and a commitment to safety and collaboration.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and supervise a field survey crew performing boundary, topographic, construction layout, and control surveys
• Plan field activities and participate in project planning discussions with project managers, engineers, and contractors
• Collect field survey data using conventional methods and GNSS technology
• Operate and maintain surveying equipment including total stations, data collectors, and GNSS instruments
• Perform field calculations and review data for accuracy and closure
• Maintain clear and organized field notes, sketches, and documentation
• Research survey records such as plats, deeds, easements, and right-of-way documents
• Train and mentor junior survey staff while reinforcing safe field practices
• Support project documentation and maintain survey records and files
• Occasionally assist with office-based survey tasks to support professional development toward licensure

Requirements

• 3+ years of progressive land surveying experience, including at least 1 year leading a survey crew or serving as a Survey Party Chief
• Working knowledge of boundary, topographic, construction, and control surveys, including field data collection and construction layout
• Proficiency with total stations, data collectors, GNSS/GPS equipment, and related surveying technology
• Ability to read and interpret plats, deeds, easements, engineering plans, and construction documents
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to safety and developing junior staff
• Valid driver’s license with the ability to pass an MVR check and ability to perform outdoor fieldwork in varying weather and terrain, including lifting and carrying equipment up to 50 pounds

Preferred Qualifications

• CST I, II, or III Certification
• College or technical coursework in land surveying or geomatics
• Interest in professional development toward survey licensure

Field Work

The position requires the ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions to complete fieldwork. Candidates must be comfortable with extended periods of travel in a vehicle and possess the physical stamina to perform manual tasks such as lifting, digging, and standing for long durations. The ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds is also required.

WithersRavenel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, military service, or other non-merit factors protected by federal, state, or local laws. At WithersRavenel, we strive to build and nurture a culture where diversity, inclusivity, and belonging are a normal part of doing business, not an initiative. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better results. By hiring highly talented people who align with our Core Values, we continue to enrich and broaden our community, as well as the employee and client experience. This purposeful approach to diversity and inclusion leads to greater commitment, collaboration, and effectiveness in our culture, work, and lives.