Survey Party Chief/ GS 16

City of Alexandria; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Alexandria is seeking an experienced Survey Party Chief to lead a field survey crew and perform boundary, topographic, and as-built surveys in support of city infrastructure projects. The role involves coordinating field assignments, applying surveying methods, and ensuring data accuracy from plans, plats, sketches, and computations.

You will supervise crew activities, mentor staff, and ensure instruments and equipment are calibrated and maintained for reliable field use.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with algebra, geometry and trigonometry coursework.
• Three years of land surveying experience or equivalent.
• Two-Year College Degree or CST designation and/or 1 year in Survey Party Chief role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a field survey crew for land surveying activities.
• Coordinate with Land Survey Analysts for boundary, topographic, and as-built surveys.
• Perform boundary, topographic, and construction stakeout surveys.
• Conduct surveying calculations using handheld calculators and COGO software.
• Review survey work by outside firms for accuracy and compliance.
• Program survey data collectors and manage field data downloads.
• Train crew members in surveying principles and data procedures.
• Maintain calibration and readiness of surveying instruments and equipment.
• Maintain the survey vehicle for safe, reliable field operations.

Skills

Lead field survey crew

Team leadership

Coordinate field assignments

Problem-solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Two-Year College Degree or CST

Tools

COGO software

Land survey data collectors

Job description

Survey Party Chief

Overview

The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services is seeking an experienced and collaborative Survey Party Chief. In this role, you will lead a field survey crew performing a wide range of land surveying activities in support of City infrastructure projects, including streets, sidewalks, sewers, utilities, waterfront improvements, parks, bridges, and tunnels. Your work will also include boundary, topographic, and as-built surveys that provide the critical information needed to plan, design, construct, and maintain public infrastructure.

As Survey Party Chief, you will coordinate field assignments, direct daily crew activities, apply established surveying methods and procedures, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of field data. You will work from engineering plans, plats, sketches, and survey computations, using your technical judgment and problem-solving skills to address field conditions and, when needed, recommend adjustments to existing engineering plans.

This is an opportunity to combine hands-on surveying expertise with team leadership while collaborating with survey professionals and engineering staff across a diverse portfolio of City projects. Your work will help turn engineering plans into real improvements that residents, businesses, and visitors rely on every day.

Working under the general supervision of the Chief of Surveys, you will play an important role in delivering accurate survey information, supporting sound engineering decisions, and helping build and maintain the infrastructure of the City of Alexandria.

The Opportunity

• Lead and supervise a field survey crew in performing a wide range of land surveying activities in support of City infrastructure projects
• Partner with Land Survey Analysts to complete boundary, topographic, and as-built surveys that support engineering design and construction
• Conduct boundary, topographic, and construction stakeout surveys to establish accurate site information and guide infrastructure improvements
• Perform surveying calculations using handheld calculators and computer-aided coordinate geometry (COGO) software to support boundary determinations and as-built documentation
• Review and verify survey work completed by outside engineering firms to ensure accuracy and compliance with established surveying standards
• Program survey data collectors, manage field data downloads, and prepare accurate data for Land Survey Analysts to develop topographic maps and other survey drawings
• Train and mentor crew members in surveying principles, field data collection, and data downloading procedures to strengthen team capabilities and technical expertise
• Ensure surveying instruments and equipment are properly calibrated, maintained, and ready for reliable field use
• Maintain the survey vehicle to ensure it is safe, reliable, and equipped to support field operations
• Perform other related duties as needed to support the City's surveying and infrastructure projects

About T&ES

T&ES is a community partner in shaping a livable, green, and prospering Alexandria. We plan, build, operate, and maintain transportation systems and infrastructure that improve mobility and provide people and businesses with core public services. The work we do keeps Alexandrians moving, growing sustainability, and thriving. If you are curious for a broader view of our City, click City of Alexandria to learn more.

High School Diploma or GED, with high school courses in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; and three years of land surveying experience; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Two-Year College Degree or CST (Certified Survey Technician designation as issued by NSPS) and/or at least 1 year experience in the role of Survey Party Chief.

This position requires the successful completion of a background check.