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Section 1  Preparing to Build
ON THE JOB
Surveyor/Surveying Technician
Surveyors and surveying technicians establish
official land boundaries and the exact location and
extent of building sites and other land uses. Survey
parties, usually consisting of several surveying tech-
nicians under the direction of a party chief, tradition-
ally use a variety of instruments to establish property
boundaries and elevations. A licensed surveyor uses
this information, combined with research in legal
records and other sources, to prepare an official map
called a plat of survey that establishes the official loca-
tion of the property. Such a survey is often required
before a deed can be issued in a property transfer.
Surveyors are professionals who must meet
educational and experience requirements and pass
licensing examination. In the past, surveyors could
be licensed by gaining experience on a survey party,
then passing a licensing exam. However, most states
today require a four-year degree in surveying or a
related field, such as civil engineering, in addition to
the exam and field experience.
Surveying technicians often have some postsec-
ondary training, usually in a community college certifi-
cate or associate degree program. High school courses
in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and drafting are
good preparation. Technicians are usually respon-
sible for using optical, physical, and electronic tools
to make the needed measurements in the field. While
traditional tools such as theodolites and measuring
tapes are still used, more and more survey parties are
working with electronic distance-measuring devices
and global positioning system receivers that use satel-
lite data for precise location-finding. Advancement to
party chief is possible with additional formal training
and experience.
Working conditions for survey parties can be
extreme, since they are exposed to all kinds of weather
conditions and may have to carry equipment for long
distances in rugged terrain. Licensed surveyors often
work in the field, but also spend time indoors doing
research, data analysis, and report writing.
Approximately 2/3 of all surveyors and surveying
technicians are employed by architectural and engi-
neering firms or companies providing related services.
Most of the remaining employment is provided by
government at all levels, ranging from federal agen-
cies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, to state and local
planning departments and highway agencies. A rela-
tively small number of surveyors are self employed.