Land Surveyor

Roles and responsibilities

1. Surveying Techniques and Equipment

• Total Station: Proficiency with total stations for measuring angles and distances to accurately map land features.
• GPS and GNSS: Using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to gather geospatial data with high precision, including advanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) equipment for boundary and topographical surveys.
• Laser Scanning: Knowledge of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or laser scanning technologies for capturing high-resolution 3D data for large-scale mapping.
• Theodolite: Using this precision instrument to measure horizontal and vertical angles, vital for accurate land boundary delineation.
• Automatic Levels: Using levels for measuring elevation differences and ensuring proper grading during construction or land division.

2. Land Measurement and Boundary Identification

• Boundary Surveying: Identifying and verifying property boundaries and establishing legal land descriptions for deeds or titles.
• Topographical Surveys: Mapping the natural and built features of the land, such as slopes, contours, rivers, roads, and buildings, using advanced tools.
• Subdivisions and Parcel Mapping: Assisting with the division of land into smaller lots or parcels for sale, development, or planning.
• Setting Out Points: Establishing fixed reference points on a construction site to guide contractors and builders in accordance with design plans.

3. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Mapping

• GIS Software: Using GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS, AutoCAD, QGIS) to create detailed maps and digital land models that represent topography, boundaries, and other features.
• Cartography: Creating maps and visual representations that communicate spatial data clearly and accurately.
• Digital Terrain Models (DTM): Creating 3D digital models of land surfaces to assist in construction and planning.
• Coordinate Systems: Understanding geographic coordinate systems and projections (e.g., UTM, WGS84) to ensure accurate mapping and data integration.

4. Legal and Regulatory Knowledge

• Land Laws and Regulations: Familiarity with local, regional, and national land laws, including zoning, land ownership, and boundary disputes.
• Surveying Standards: Knowledge of surveying standards (e.g., NSPS, ISO) to ensure data collection methods and results are legally recognized.
• Deed and Title Research: Understanding legal property descriptions and interpreting deeds, title documents, and land records to verify property boundaries.
• Environmental Considerations: Assessing the environmental impact of land developments and ensuring that surveying methods comply with environmental protection regulations.

5. Data Collection and Analysis

• Fieldwork: Conducting field surveys to measure land features, elevations, and boundaries with high precision.
• Data Processing: Processing and analyzing data collected in the field, often using software like AutoCAD, MicroStation, or specialized surveying programs.
• Data Accuracy: Ensuring the accuracy of the data collected, whether it involves checking measurements, reviewing survey records, or verifying with other sources.
• Error Detection: Identifying and correcting errors in data, especially during complex measurements, and ensuring consistency across multiple survey points.

6. Construction and Engineering Collaboration

• Construction Layouts: Assisting construction teams in positioning elements of the design on the ground by translating project plans into real-world coordinates.
• Stakeholder Communication: Coordinating with engineers, architects, contractors, and planners to ensure that land measurements are used appropriately in the development process.

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.