Survey Party Chief – Land Surveying / Construction Layout

Spotlock; Hillsborough Township (NJ); On-site; USD 43,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Life and disability insurance

Licensing reimbursement

Flexible spending account

Wellness reimbursement

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Spotlock is seeking an experienced Survey Party Chief in New Jersey to lead a field crew on boundary, topographic, and construction stakeout surveys. You will collect data with total stations and GPS/GNSS, establish control points, and ensure accurate layouts and elevations.

You will mentor junior staff, maintain meticulous field records, and collaborate with office teams on scheduling and deliverables while upholding safety standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; Associate's degree in surveying preferred.
• 5+ years of field surveying experience with crew leadership.
• Strong knowledge of land surveying principles and field procedures.
• Proficiency with total stations, GPS/GNSS, and data collection software.
• Ability to read survey plans and construction drawings; strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a survey field crew on boundary, topo, construction stakeout, and as-built surveys.
• Conduct field data collection with total stations, GPS/GNSS, and data collectors.
• Establish and verify survey control points and benchmarks.
• Execute construction layout with accurate grades and elevations.
• Maintain organized field notes, sketches, and digital records.
• Review data for completeness before office submission.
• Coordinate with office staff on scheduling and deliverables.
• Ensure field activities follow safety standards and company guidelines.
• Mentor junior field staff and support team development.

Skills

Survey leadership

Total stations

GPS/GNSS

Field data collection

Plan reading

Education

Associate's degree in surveying

High school diploma

Tools

Survey data collection software

Data collectors

Job description

A well-established, multi-disciplinary consulting firm is seeking an experienced Survey Party Chief to join its growing team. This organization provides civil engineering, planning, and surveying services across a wide range of public and private sector projects, and is known for its collaborative culture and long-term career growth opportunities.

This role is ideal for a hands-on field leader who takes pride in accuracy, efficiency, and mentoring junior staff while working on diverse and meaningful projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a survey field crew on projects including boundary, topographic, construction stakeout, and as-built surveys
• Perform field data collection using total stations, GPS/GNSS equipment, and data collectors
• Establish, recover, and verify survey control points and benchmarks
• Execute construction layout, ensuring accuracy of grades, alignments, and elevations
• Maintain clear, organized field notes, sketches, and digital records
• Review field data for completeness and accuracy prior to office submission
• Coordinate with office staff on scheduling, project updates, and deliverables
• Ensure all field activities are conducted safely and in alignment with company and project standards
• Train and mentor junior field staff to support team development

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; Associate's degree in surveying or related field preferred
• 5+ years of field surveying experience, including leadership of survey crews
• Strong understanding of land surveying principles and standard field procedures
• Proficiency with total stations, GPS/GNSS systems, and data collection software
• Ability to read and interpret survey plans, construction drawings, and specifications
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to high-quality work
• Valid driver’s license required
• Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license or track toward licensure is a plus

What's Offered

• Competitive hourly compensation: $31 - $42/hour (based on experience)
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match (traditional and Roth options)
• Paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Company-paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Tuition and professional licensing reimbursement
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Wellness or gym reimbursement
• A team-oriented environment with clear opportunities for career advancement and professional development