Senior Land Surveyor

Roles and responsibilities

A Land Surveyor is a professional who measures and maps out land, boundaries, and property lines. They work with both physical and legal boundaries and play a critical role in construction, land development, real estate, and legal matters involving land ownership. Here are key skills and areas of expertise typically associated with the role of a land surveyor:

1. Surveying Techniques and Equipment

• Total Station: Mastery in using a total station, which is an electronic/optical instrument used for measuring angles and distances.
• GPS Surveying: Proficiency with Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment for precise measurements and mapping.
• Laser Scanning: Familiarity with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or other laser scanning techniques to capture 3D data of a land area.
• Theodolites and Levels: Knowledge of traditional and modern instruments for measuring vertical and horizontal angles.
• Drones (UAVs): Understanding of drone technology for aerial surveying in large or hard-to-reach areas.

2. Geospatial Data Analysis

• GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Ability to use GIS software for mapping and analyzing land features and boundaries. Tools include ArcGIS, QGIS, and others.
• Data Interpretation: Ability to analyze topographic, land ownership, and boundary data and interpret survey results to create maps, reports, and legal descriptions.
• 3D Modeling: Expertise in creating digital terrain models and 3D models using software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D or other CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software.

3. Mathematical Skills

• Trigonometry: A solid understanding of trigonometry to calculate distances, angles, and elevations.
• Geometry: Strong grasp of geometric principles, especially for calculating areas and shapes of land plots.
• Coordinate Systems: Familiarity with local and global coordinate systems such as UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) or State Plane Coordinate Systems.

4. Legal Knowledge

• Land Ownership Laws: Knowledge of property law, including how to read and interpret property deeds, easements, and land titles.
• Boundary Disputes: Experience handling disputes related to property boundaries, including determining the legal markers of landownership.
• Regulatory Compliance: Awareness of land-use regulations, zoning laws, and government policies related to land surveying and construction.

5. Field Surveying and Site Assessment

• Field Data Collection: Ability to work outdoors in various conditions, taking accurate measurements, and marking key features or boundaries of the land.
• Site Layout: Experience in setting out construction sites and verifying the accuracy of construction plans and layouts in relation to land features.
• Topographic Surveys: Conducting surveys that identify the contours of the land, natural and artificial features, and the elevation of the area.

6. Attention to Detail

• Ensuring all measurements are precise and accurate, particularly when recording boundaries and calculating areas for legal, construction, or planning purposes.
• Meticulous documentation of all survey data, including logs of equipment calibration, site conditions, and measurement details.

7. Project Management and Planning

• Coordination: Managing multiple survey projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
• Team Collaboration: Leading or working with a team of survey technicians, assistants, or other professionals to complete projects.
• Client Interaction: Communicating clearly with clients, contractors, engineers, and government officials regarding the progress of surveys and project requirements.

Desired candidate profile

• Performs a variety of tasks in support of survey or construction activities.
• Duties may differ depending on the specialty area.
• Activities may include setting up and operating equipment; inspecting equipment; inspection of engineering installations for compliance with specifications; maintaining project documentation; assisting with the building, repair, or maintenance of a structure or roadway.
• Relies on general to moderately complex knowledge of procedures, company policies, and business practices to plan and accomplish goals.
• At this level, incumbents normally can handle a wide range of relatively complex protocols; viewed as fully competent within limits of experience. Works under general supervision.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification

Technical Institute Diploma / Bachelor Degree in relevant Engineering field (i.e. Civil, Structural etc.)

Experience

The ideal candidate to be Civil Engineering graduate with minimum 10 years’ experience in similar projects.