Land Survey Instrument Operator

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GeoPoint is a land surveying company with multiple locations, specializing in land development, geomatics, geospatial mapping, commercial surveys, and subsurface utility engineering.

Summary/Objective:  

The Construction Instrument Operator plays a crucial role in a surveying company by operating and maintaining surveying instruments and equipment. This position involves working closely with surveyors to conduct precise measurements and data collection on construction sites and other locations. The operator assists in setting up surveying instruments, recording field data, and ensuring accurate readings to support the surveying team in delivering precise and reliable data for engineering and construction projects. This role requires attention to detail, the ability to follow instructions meticulously, and a willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.  

Essential Job Functions:

• Loading and unloading the survey vehicle of equipment and supplies, including bundles of wooden hubs and lathes, concrete monuments, heavy boxed instruments, large water coolers, and other survey equipment.
• Filling the survey vehicle with gas and checking out the fluid levels, such as water and oil. Checking the tire pressure and looking for mechanical problems, such as broken headlights and taillights.
• Carrying items including bundles of hubs and lath, concrete monuments, and equipment through the woods, brush and mud, water, and swamps to various points on the job site. This often requires lengthy periods of walking. The bundles of hubs and lathes are heavy and awkward, and the monuments can weigh up to 30 pounds each.
• Use of hand tools, such as machetes, to gain access to heavily wooded areas.
• Traversing difficult terrain, including wet areas, areas of tall vegetation, and areas that may harbor local fauna.
• Regularly kneeling and stooping in pursuit of driving hubs, lath, iron rods, concrete monuments, or other survey related devices into ground or other substrate.
• Digging holes to locate underground utilities, boundary markers, or other entities.
• Able to work in and around terrain that may be rough, steep, wet, or swampy.
• Able to work in and around vegetation that may be dense: Insects, snakes and/or other animals may be encountered.
• Lifting steel manholes lids and curb inlet grates, potentially weighing more than 75 pounds, to get inverts for as-built drawings.
• Responsibility for all instruments and supporting equipment including, but not limited to, GPS receivers, total stations, levels, and radios.
• Technical knowledge and competence in the use of survey equipment such as GPS receivers, data collectors, total stations, and optical levels.
• Daily downloading of data files from a data collector.
• The ability to take over the crew in the absence of the Crew Chief.
• The ability to follow the instructions of the Crew Chief in obtaining staking data.
• The ability to read and understand staking sheets, boundary surveys, construction plans, cut sheets, level notes, and bench runs.
• The ability to do calculations as needed.
• Responsibility for recommending crew members for promotions, disciplinary action, and/or dismissal.  

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in construction surveying or a related field.
• High school diploma or equivalent. Additional certification or coursework in surveying, geomatics, or related fields is a plus.
• Proficient in operating surveying instruments, including total stations, GPS receivers, data collectors, and automatic levels.
• Familiarity with survey software and data processing tools.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans, blueprints, and specifications.
• Understanding of basic surveying principles and methods.  

Physical Demands and Work Environment: 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  
• Work requires using a machete, shovel and sledgehammer, or other appropriate tools. 
• Lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. over rough terrain may be required.  
• Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate various pieces of field equipment.  
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit, stand, walk, use hands/fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms, speak, and hear.  
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell.  
• Able to get in and out of vehicle multiple times a day.  
• Drive 30 to 200 miles daily.  
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• It is required to work outside in all types of weather conditions, possibly for extended periods of time. 
• Able to work in and around terrain that may be rough, steep, wet, or swampy.
• Able to work in and around vegetation that may be dense: Insects, snakes and/or other animals may be encountered.
• Desk/Workstation may be located in a confined area. 
• Moderate noise indoors/outdoors (i.e., computers, phones, printers, machinery, and traffic). 
• Able to work overtime and some weekends. 
• Able to work well in a team environment as well as being self-motivated and driven. 

Safety Responsibility:

• Adhere to all company and regulatory safety standards and procedures.
• Identify potential safety hazards and take appropriate corrective actions.
• Report accidents, injuries, and unsafe conditions in a timely manner.
• Participate in safety training and promote a culture of workplace safety.

Travel:

• Some travel may be required.

Schedule:

• Must be able to start the workday promptly @ 6:30 AM and be available until 6:00 PM if required.
• Overtime is mandatory.

Availability:

• Able to work 40–65 hours per week, including evenings and weekends if required.

Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Land surveying: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person