Survey Technician & Instrument Operator (Field)

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

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.