Survey Party Chief (Field-Lead | Drafting Experience Preferred)

Parker Design Group of Richmond, Inc.; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Parker Design Group of Richmond, Inc. is seeking an experienced Survey Party Chief to lead field crews on diverse land surveying projects.

The role is primarily field-based (≈75%) with a meaningful chance to contribute to in-office drafting and production. The Party Chief will direct crews, operate survey instrumentation, and ensure high-quality data across boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, and construction staking tasks.

Qualifications

• 5+ years land surveying experience with at least 2 years in a crew lead or party chief role.
• Experience with boundary concepts, legal descriptions, and plat review.
• Proficiency with total stations, GPS/GNSS, and data collectors.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans and site documents.
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record.
• Licensure (RLS or LSIT) a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct field survey crews on boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, and construction staking projects.
• Operate and maintain total stations, GPS/GNSS equipment, and related instrumentation.
• Set up and run control networks; verify data quality.
• Coordinate daily with project managers on schedule and field conditions.
• Draft survey plats and maps in CAD/survey software.

Skills

Crew leadership

Field surveying

Reading construction plans

Communication

Safety awareness

Education

Survey licensure (RLS/LSIT) optional

Tools

Carlson

Civil 3D

Trimble Business Center

Total stations

GPS/GNSS equipment

Job description

Job Description

Parker Design Group of Richmond, Inc. is seeking an experienced Survey Party Chief to lead field crews on a wide range of land surveying projects. This is a primarily field-based role with the opportunity for meaningful involvement in office drafting and production, making it an ideal fit for a motivated professional who thrives in the field but also brings technical drafting capability to the table.

Position Overview:

The Party Chief will direct field survey crews, operate and maintain survey instrumentation, and ensure quality data collection across boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, and construction staking assignments. This position is approximately 75% field operations and 25% office drafting support. Candidates with CAD/survey software experience will be given strong preference.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of land surveying experience with at least 2 years in a crew lead or party chief role
• Proficiency operating total stations, GPS/GNSS equipment, and data collectors
• Experience with survey drafting and processing software (Carlson, Civil 3D, Trimble Business Center, or similar)
• Strong working knowledge of boundary principles, legal descriptions, and plat review
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans and site documents
• Effective communication and crew management skills
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Survey licensure (RLS or LSIT) a plus but not required

Primary Responsibilities (Field – ~75%):

• Lead and direct field survey crews on boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, and construction staking projects
• Operate and maintain total stations, GPS/GNSS equipment, and related instrumentation
• Set up and run control networks; verify and troubleshoot field data quality
• Coordinate daily with project managers on schedule, scope, and field conditions
• Ensure safe work practices and compliance with site-specific requirements

Secondary Responsibilities (Office – ~25%):

• Draft survey plats, topographic maps, and related deliverables using CAD/survey software
• Process and adjust field data; prepare calculations and project documentation
• Assist with deed research and boundary analysis under direction of the licensed surveyor
• Support coordination with clients and subconsultants as needed