Survey Technician - Entry-level (3-year term)

Fermi Research Alliance, LLC; Lead (SD); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Fermilab is seeking a Surveyor to perform high-precision surveying and field metrology for complex construction projects in surface and underground environments.

You will establish control networks, verify alignments, and produce detailed documentation across BIM, drawings, and field records. This role requires experience with precision instruments and collaboration with engineers and contractors.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering technology, or related field with 3+ years of field experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• Experience using survey, metrology, design, and data-processing software such as SpatialAnalyzer, Cyclone, CloudCompare, Trimble Business Center, Leica Infinity, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-precision surveying and field metrology for surface and underground construction.
• Establish and maintain survey control networks, benchmarks, coordinate systems, and alignment references.
• Conduct layout and staking for excavation, structural, utilities, and mechanical/electrical works.

Education

Associate degree in surveying or geomatics plus 3+ years experience

Tools

SpatialAnalyzer

Cyclone

CloudCompare

Trimble Business Center

Leica Infinity

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

The expected hiring range for this position is:

$23.39-$28.52.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

What your day-to-day as a Surveyor at Fermilab will look like:

• Perform high-precision surveying and field metrology activities in support of surface and underground construction, infrastructure, and installation work.
• Establish, verify, and maintain survey control networks, benchmarks, coordinate systems, and alignment references for critical infrastructure and facility installations.
• Perform layout and staking for excavation, structural work, utilities, and mechanical and electrical systems.
• Verify survey-related quality control hold points to confirm alignment, elevation, and positional accuracy before critical construction activities proceed.
• Operate total stations, GPS/GNSS equipment, laser scanners, LiDAR systems, laser trackers, digital levels, and other precision measurement instruments.
• Account for environmental factors such as vibration, temperature variation, humidity, and spatial constraints to maintain measurement accuracy outside controlled laboratory environments.
• Interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and Building Information Modeling models to translate design intent into accurate field execution.
• Perform as-built surveys and generate detailed reports, maps, point files, measurement records, and project documentation.
• Identify discrepancies between engineering documents, BIM models, and actual field conditions and elevate concerns for timely resolution.
• Collaborate with engineers, construction managers, ESH&Q personnel, contractors, and craft workers to support constructability, measurement accuracy, and project compliance.
• Ensure survey and metrology activities comply with established safety requirements, project tolerances, and quality assurance and quality control standards.
• Perform all duties in accordance with applicable environmental, health, safety, and quality regulations and Fermilab practices.
• Work in surface and underground construction environments and support extended or rotating shifts as required by project needs.

Minimum Education/Experience:

• Associate degree in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering technology, or a related field plus three or more years of experience in construction, infrastructure, industrial, surveying, or metrology environments.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience using survey, metrology, design, and data-processing software such as SpatialAnalyzer, Cyclone, CloudCompare, Trimble Business Center, Leica Infinity, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or similar platforms.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to access work locations across surface and underground construction environments.
• Ability to work in varying field conditions and support extended or rotating shifts as required by project needs.

Technical Expertise:

• Advanced knowledge of field surveying, portable metrology, construction layout, alignment, and precision measurement practices.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain survey control networks, benchmarks, coordinate systems, and alignment references.
• Knowledge of coordinate systems, geodetic principles, environmental compensation, construction tolerances, and high-precision measurement requirements.
• Ability to perform layout, staking, as-built measurements, control verification, and quality control checks with a high degree of accuracy.
• Understanding of measurement uncertainty and the effects of temperature, vibration, humidity, distance, and confined working conditions on field measurements.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency with total stations, laser trackers, GPS/GNSS systems, digital levels, LiDAR scanners, and other advanced surveying and metrology equipment.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, construction specifications, survey control documentation, and BIM models.
• Working knowledge of SpatialAnalyzer, Cyclone, CloudCompare, Trimble Business Center, Leica Infinity, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or comparable software.
• Ability to collect, process, validate, and document survey and metrology data.
• Ability to prepare point files, maps, reports, alignment records, and as-built documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for working with engineers, construction managers, ESH&Q personnel, contractors, and craft workers.

Problem Solving:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to identify discrepancies between design documents, survey data, BIM models, and field conditions.
• Ability to evaluate measurement conditions and apply appropriate corrections or compensation methods.
• Ability to troubleshoot survey equipment, data inconsistencies, alignment issues, and field measurement challenges.
• Ability to communicate technical concerns clearly and support timely resolution across multiple project disciplines.

Certifications:

Must be able to legally operate government vehicles.

Surveying, metrology, equipment‑manufacturer, construction safety, or related technical certifications are preferred.

Work Environment

• Must be able to work in both surface and underground construction environments.
• Work may involve vibration, temperature variation, humidity, uneven terrain, active construction areas, confined spaces, and limited‑access locations.
• Must be able to transport, set up, and operate surveying and metrology equipment in field conditions.
• Must be able to stand, walk, climb, bend, and perform field measurements for extended periods.
• Must be able to work extended hours or rotating shifts as required by project needs.
• Up to 10% travel may be required.

Why Fermilab:

Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Pre-Employment Screening:

Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug-free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

HSPD-12

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Foreign Government Sponsored Activities

Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab's Office of General Counsel.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus

Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.