Surveying Technicians - 17-3031.01

O*NET-SOC Description

Adjust and operate surveying instruments, such as the theodolite and electronic distance-measuring equipment, and compile notes, make sketches and enter data into computers.

DOT Titles Included in this O*NET-SOC Code

  • Chief of Party
  • Surveyor Assistant, Instruments

Sample of Occupations in this SOC Family

17-3011.00 Architectural and Civil Drafters
17-3011.01 Architectural Drafters
17-3011.02 Civil Drafters
17-3012.00 Electrical and Electronics Drafters
17-3012.01 Electronic Drafters
17-3012.02 Electrical Drafters
17-3013.00 Mechanical Drafters
17-3019.99 Drafters, All Other
17-3021.00 Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians
17-3022.00 Civil Engineering Technicians
17-3023.00 Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians
17-3023.01 Electronics Engineering Technicians
17-3023.03 Electrical Engineering Technicians
17-3024.00 Electro-Mechanical Technicians
17-3025.00 Environmental Engineering Technicians
17-3026.00 Industrial Engineering Technicians
17-3027.00 Mechanical Engineering Technicians
17-3029.99 Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
17-3031.00 Surveying and Mapping Technicians
17-3031.01 Surveying Technicians
17-3031.02 Mapping Technicians

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, and electronic distance-measuring equipment.
  • Collect information needed to carry out new surveys using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, and other relevant information.
  • Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.
  • Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.
  • Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater using electronic distance-measuring equipment and other surveying instruments.
  • Direct and supervise work of subordinate members of surveying parties.
  • Lay out grids, and determine horizontal and vertical controls.
  • Maintain equipment and vehicles used by surveying crews.
  • Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.
  • Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures and adjustments, azimuths, level runs, and placement of markers.
  • Perform manual labor, such as cutting brush for lines, carrying stakes, rebar, and other heavy items, and stacking rods.
  • Place and hold measuring tapes when electronic distance-measuring equipment is not used.
  • Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
  • Prepare topographic and contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.
  • Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.
  • Record survey measurements and descriptive data using notes, drawings, sketches, and inked tracings.
  • Run rods for benches and cross-section elevations.
  • Search for section corners, property irons, and survey points.
  • Set out and recover stakes, marks, and other monumentation.

Detailed Work Activities

  • analyze spatial data
  • analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
  • collect scientific or technical data
  • communicate technical information
  • conduct geological surveys
  • conduct land surveys
  • conduct plant location surveys
  • conduct topographical surveys
  • direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
  • interpret aerial photographs
  • maintain records, reports, or files
  • obtain land survey data using surveying instruments
  • operate land or site surveying instruments
  • prepare safety reports
  • read maps
  • read technical drawings
  • research property records
  • use oral or written communication techniques