Geodetic Survey Technologist

Land survey technologists conduct or participate in surveys to determine the exact locations and relative positions of natural features and other structures on the earth’s surface, underground and underwater. They are employed by all levels of government, architectural and engineering firms, and by private sector surveying establishments.

Typical Duties:

• Employs surveying and computer equipment including electronic distance measuring instruments, global positioning systems (GPS), and digital mapping systems to define both natural formations and man-made structures on a particular site;
• Determines the elevations and contours of a land site;
• Confirms the orientation of tracts of land including position, boundaries, size and shape;
• Ensures that collected survey data adheres to project specifications and land survey standards;
• Obtains additional survey data when field collection errors are discovered or survey specifications are not maintained;
• Verifies the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data;
• Maintains databases of geodetic and related information;
• Plans or directs the work of geodetic survey staff;
• Computes horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks using geodetic survey techniques such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing;
• Adjusts existing survey of features such as highway alignments, property boundaries, and utilities to ensure the data reflects the most current positions of such structures;
• Provides geodetic survey data to involved stakeholders such as government, the public, or construction entities;
• Provides training to other staff in methods and procedures employed to observe and check controls for geodetic and plane coordinates.

Educational Requirements:

Three-year college program in geomatics or land survey technology.