Survey Technician/Instrument Operator

Gdbgeospatial; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 26,174 - 34,440; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness Benefits

Employee Referral Rewards Program

Paid time off including vacation/sick/holidays

Customized career development plans

Access to discounts on wellness and travel

Recognition as a Top Workplace

Job summary

A leading geospatial solutions company is seeking a Survey Technician/Instrument Operator in Salem, Virginia. This role involves operating land surveying equipment and supporting daily field operations for various projects. The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma, at least one year of industry experience, and knowledge of land surveying practices. The company offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• One year of industry experience is required.
• Must have a valid, current driver’s license.
• Able to travel/stay out of town for work as needed.

Responsibilities

• Operate land surveying instruments to collect accurate data.
• Support Crew Chief with equipment setup and operation.
• Maintain accurate field notes and project documentation.

Skills

Knowledge of land surveying practices

Ability to work outdoors year-round

Basic survey computations

Reading maps and plans

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Land surveying instruments

Survey controllers and software

Job description

Who We Are

For over thirty years, SAM has built a reputation as a trusted, knowledgeable, and innovative partner. Our licensed professionals transform petabytes of complex spatial data into intelligent insights in a holistic Managed Geospatial Services™ (MGS™) framework. As North America's premiere MGS™ company, SAM provides practical, precise, and high-fidelity solutions designed to enhance decision‑making, mitigate risks, achieve strategic objectives, and drive costs out of our client’s business. Our vision is to advance spatial data acquisition, improve analysis capabilities, and develop predictive analytics to redefine and transform how infrastructure assets are developed and managed throughout their lifecycles.

Your Impact at SAM

As a Survey Technician/Instrument Operator, you’ll play a key role in supporting daily field operations and ensuring the accurate collection of data for a variety of projects, including boundary, topographic, and construction layout surveys. Working as part of a field crew, you’ll use advanced surveying equipment and technology to help deliver high-quality results that meet client expectations and company standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate land surveying instruments to assist the field crew in collecting accurate, high-quality data
• Support the Crew Chief with setup and operation of robotic total stations, GNSS receivers, data radios/modems, terrestrial 3D laser scanners, and levels (automatic and digital)
• Use survey controllers and software to collect geospatial data and perform basic survey computations
• Read and interpret maps, plans, and drawings under the guidance of the Crew Chief
• Maintain accurate field notes, measurements, and sketches for project documentation
• Manage equipment logistics, including loading/unloading vehicles and cleaning/maintaining survey instruments and supplies
• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure a safe work environment

What You Bring to SAM

• High School diploma or equivalent required
• Valid, current driver’s license required
• One year industry experience
• Minimum knowledge of land surveying practices and performance of basic types of surveys, mathematical computations, and field operations
• Able to work outdoors year-round in all types of weather conditions and environments
• Available to travel/stay out of town for work as needed

Our Perks

• Health and Wellness Benefits: BlueCross BlueShield health insurance coverage begins the month after your hire date, Free Vision + Dental plans for employees, company-paid premiums for Long-term disability/Life Insurance (with HSA + FSA plans), SAM Cares program focused on holistic well-being
• Financial Benefits: Employee Referral Rewards Program of $1K, $2,500 or $5K, Access to Ramsey Smart Dollar to support financial goals and retire with confidence, Fidelity retirement plans with a 5% company match, tuition reimbursement, optional cellphone stipend
• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off including vacation/sick/holidays, parental leave to support families
• Professional Development: Customized career development plan for licensing and certifications, Project Manager Business Academy, CAD Training Program, Individual Development Plans/Career Check-Ins, SAM WINS - our initiative for women-focused leadership and development, Milestone Anniversary Recognition, SAMbassador mentorship program
• Perks and Discounts: Access to “Perks at Work” for discounts on wellness + travel + leisure and everyday purchases, company-sponsored events, free office snacks
• Culture and Awards/Achievements: SAM Named 2023 Top Workplace USA for Second Consecutive Year; 2023 SAM Ranks No. 88 on ENR Top 500 Design Firms

EEO

SAM is an EOE/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V. SAM also participates in the federal E-Verify Program.

Salary Maximum: USD $25.00 per hour

Salary Minimum: USD $19.00 per hour