Survey Technician / Instrument Operator

Prudent Engineering; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

PTO and paid holidays

Training and development

Job summary

Prudent Engineering in New York seeks a Survey Technician / Instrument Operator to support NYSDOT design survey work. This role blends fieldwork with office tasks and collaborates with Party Chiefs, Licensed Land Surveyors, and CADD staff to complete highway, bridge, dam, and boundary surveys accurately.

Candidates should have at least one year of surveying experience, strong data collection and drafting skills, and the ability to work outdoors in varying conditions.

Qualifications

• At least one year of land surveying experience in a field or office role.
• Working knowledge of surveying principles and field procedures; ability to develop skills.
• Ability to interpret survey plans, field notes, sketches, and legal descriptions.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record for operating company vehicles.
• Availability for early starts, overtime, overnight travel, and NY State assignments.

Responsibilities

• Operate Trimble robotic total stations, GNSS receivers, levels, data collectors, and laser scanners.
• Collect field data for survey control, boundaries, topography, utilities, and layout.
• Assist with GNSS observations, level runs, and control-point establishment.
• Maintain field notes, photos, sketches, and survey records per NYSDOT requirements.
• Work safely near traffic, waterways, and uneven terrain following safety procedures.
• Process survey data using MicroStation, InRoads/OpenRoads Designer, Trimble tools, and Carlson.
• Prepare survey mapping, drawings, DTMs, and 3D surfaces from field data.
• Assist with LiDAR point-cloud data integration into deliverables.

Skills

Surveying

Field procedures

CADD drafting

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Associate degree in Surveying or related field

Tools

Trimble Access

Trimble survey equipment

MicroStation

InRoads

OpenRoads Designer

Trimble Business Center

Carlson Survey

Job description

About the Firm:

Our mission:

Transforming Infrastructure with Passion and Kindness.

We provide quality, cost-effective engineering services to state and local governments and private-sector clients across Upstate New York State and Pennsylvania. Our project portfolio features experience in bridge, highway, structural design, condition and safety inspection, Civil and site engineering support, Construction inspection and administration, Survey and Mapping and Hydrographic services.

Prudent Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Overview:

Prudent Engineering is seeking a well-rounded Survey Technician / Instrument Operator to support NYSDOT design survey assignments. This position combines field and office responsibilities and works closely with Party Chiefs, Licensed Land Surveyors, and CADD staff to complete highway, bridge, dam, culvert, boundary, and topographic surveys accurately, safely, and efficiently.

What you'll do:

• Operate Trimble robotic total stations, Trimble R12i GNSS receivers, digital levels, Trimble data collectors, and Leica RTC360 and P50 laser scanners.
• Collect accurate field data for survey control, boundaries, topographic features, drainage structures, utilities, and construction layout.
• Assist with static GNSS observations, differential level runs, control-point establishment, and verification of survey ties and checks.
• Maintain complete field notes, photographs, sketches, files, and other survey records in accordance with project and NYSDOT requirements.
• Work safely near traffic, construction operations, waterways, steep slopes, and uneven terrain while following company and project-specific safety procedures.
• Download, process, adjust, organize, and evaluate survey data using MicroStation V8i/CONNECT, InRoads or OpenRoads Designer, Trimble Business Center, Carlson Survey, and NGS OPUS.
• Prepare survey mapping, drawings, digital terrain models, and 3D surfaces from field-collected data.
• Perform survey calculations and prepare field files for layout, staking, control, and supplemental data collection.
• Assist with registering, reviewing, and integrating LiDAR point-cloud data into survey deliverables, based on project needs and experience.
• Coordinate with Party Chiefs, Licensed Land Surveyors, project managers, and CADD personnel to identify and resolve missing, inconsistent, or incomplete survey information.
• At least one year of land surveying experience in a field or office role; relevant education or training may be considered.
• Working knowledge of surveying principles, field procedures, and CADD drafting, or the ability and willingness to develop these skills.
• Ability to interpret survey plans, field notes, sketches, and legal descriptions.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
• Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record for operating company vehicles.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, walk over uneven terrain, carry survey equipment, and perform the physical duties of field surveying, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Availability for early starts, occasional overtime, overnight travel, and assignments throughout New York State, as project needs require.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least one year of land surveying experience in a field or office role; relevant education or training may be considered.
• Working knowledge of surveying principles, field procedures, and CADD drafting, or the ability and willingness to develop these skills.
• Ability to interpret survey plans, field notes, sketches, and legal descriptions.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
• Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record for operating company vehicles.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, walk over uneven terrain, carry survey equipment, and perform the physical duties of field surveying, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Availability for early starts, occasional overtime, overnight travel, and assignments throughout New York State, as project needs require.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Surveying, Civil Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Experience with NYSDOT design survey procedures, feature coding, highway or bridge surveys, survey control, and differential leveling.
• Experience using Trimble Access, Trimble survey equipment, MicroStation, InRoads, OpenRoads Designer, Trimble Business Center, or Carlson Survey.
• Experience with terrestrial laser scanning, LiDAR registration, or point-cloud processing.

What we offer:

• An hourly pay range of $21.65-$28.85, based on experience, education, credentials, qualifications, and location
• Medical, dental, vision.
• 401(k) with company match.
• PTO plus paid holidays.
• Training, professional development, and advancement opportunities within a high-performing survey team

*Actual compensation may vary based on work experience, location, market conditions, education/training, certifications, and other credentials, as well as applicable knowledge and skills.