Trainee Hydrographic Surveyor

Traineesurveyor; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Traineesurveyor is hiring a Trainee Hydrographic Surveyor in the United States. The role involves assisting the chief hydrographic surveyor, which includes operating underwater instruments and understanding sonar technology.

The ideal candidate must be capable of diving and possess a natural curiosity for exploration. This role can lead to rewarding financial packages as trainees transition into fully qualified surveyors.

Responsibilities

• Assist the chief hydrographic surveyor in surveying underwater features.
• Learn and operate sonar technology for depth measurement.
• Prepare and maintain surveying equipment under supervision.

Skills

Diving proficiency

Non-hydrophobic

Underwater instrument use

Natural flair for exploration

Job description

Trainee Hydrographic Surveyor

There is a great and growing demand for hydrographic surveyors in the United States. The majority of the demand is by energy firms that specialize in energy exploration. As a trainee hydrographic surveyor, there are a number of skills you will need in addition to your degree in surveying. Unlike most types of surveying, this field is the most physically taxing and difficult, and can also be life‑threatening in certain cases.

The job of a trainee hydrographic surveyor

The job of a trainee will be to start off by assisting the chief hydrographic surveyor. This is easier said than done because 80 % of the work needs to be done underwater in the sea, lakes, or warm water canals. With bubbles rising all around you, it can be the most difficult of surveying jobs in the world. As a trainee you will be expected to learn about underwater features as well as familiar objects. If working for an energy company, you will be responsible for surveying under‑sea for oil and gas. If you are working for a treasure‑hunting company, you will help locate sunken ship wrecks and also track erosion.

In order to become a successful hydrographic surveyor you will need the following skills:

• You should know how to dive
• You should not be hydrophobic
• You should be able to use instruments underwater
• You should also have a natural flair for exploration

Trainee hydrographic surveyor and the latest software

The latest software is meant to make the job of a hydrographic surveyor easier and more accurate. Software helps a surveyor achieve a number of feats that would have been impossible just a few years ago without it. One of the most common uses is sonar technology, which determines the depth below water as well as major features underneath. The measurements are 100 % precise, so there is no margin of error; this is why almost all trainee hydrographic surveyors need to know the ins and outs of the most common software.

Using equipment as a trainee hydrographic surveyor

The equipment used by a hydrographic surveyor can cost several thousand dollars, so learning how to use it correctly is imperative. In the beginning a trainee may not be allowed to touch the equipment prior to a run‑down by the chief surveyor or without his supervision, because a slight tweak to the software without proper calibration can result in false readings that throw off the entire project. It can also ruin the equipment that is hooked up to the computer.

A trainee hydrographic surveyor can be a very rewarding job, provided you can get through your first year on the job. The majority of trainees are offered comparatively better financial packages, which later translate into excellent financial incentives once they are fully fledged surveyors.