Survey Party Chief

Why Black & Veatch

Join the Black & Veatch Construction team and  build with pride . As a 100% employee‑owned company, every role matters — you  own your work, your impact, and your future. We lead with  care , and  safety is non‑negotiable and embedded into every role, site and decision , ensuring our teams return home safe, every day.

From field engineering to project management to quality and startup, you’ll work with cutting‑edge technology, learn from seasoned experts, and grow through real‑world, hands‑on experience. With a strong backlog across power, water, grid, and industrial markets, you’ll have the stability to grow and the opportunity to  shape what comes next.

Job Summary

The Survey Party chief oversses land surveys. Duties include planning out each study, check the characteristics of the ground and surrounding land, evaluate its potential as a construction site, and manage personnel on a survey team. Provide lead direction and supervise the survey crew to make exact measurements and determine site layout to support all disciplines with a quality layout for unit installation. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, construction, and other purposes.

Key Responsibilities

• Be able to perform all of the principal duties and accountabilities of craft workers under his/her supervision.
• Utilize various systems including Google Earth, BlueBeam Revu, Agtek
• Read and understand L1 Schedule and drawings
• Create models in Leica, Topcon, Trimble
• Become Drone Certified for TOPO
• Verify the accuracy of survey data including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
• Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain or current installations.
• Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
• Utilize AutoCad to prepare or supervise preparation of all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys. Import/Export files, including LN3 files. Pull measurements for takeoffs.
• Utilize Carlson GPS to setup a PD-10.
• Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.
• Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas using N&E, transits, levels, and satellite‐based global positioning systems (GPS).
• Record the results of surveys including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
• Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects.
• Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments.
• Train Instrumantmen, Rodman, and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps.
• Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy.
• Troubleshoot issues with GPS connecting with equipment.
• Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements. Site calibration/localization.
• Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation.
• Lead and support all safety related processes and programs as requested. Engage with your work team to ensure we achieve zero injuries. No job is so important that your safety and that of your crew will be compromised. Watch for hazards and report any concerns to your supervisor or safety professional. If needed, use your stop work authority until the issue is resolved.

Minimum Qualifications

At least 5 years of experience working in the industrial construction field with layout or survey responsibilities, with some supervision experience. Must have working knowledge of using mathematics to solve problems, verify mathematical calculations, gather physical survey data, document technical design details, utilize auto cad to overlay detailed designs to check/troubleshoot discrepancies, analyze physical, survey, or geographic data, survey land to measure or determine features, create maps, determine operational criteria or specifications, PDF using Bluebeam, coordinate activities with suppliers, contractors, clients, or other departments or disciplines, direct surveying activities, train personnel on proper operational procedures, calculate geographic positions from survey data. In addition, must have all necessary tools (see Rod buster tool list). Must be able to use tape measure and calculate decimals of a foot. Must be at least 18 years of age.

All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

One of more of the following certifications:

• Drone certification with TOPO experience
• NCCER Site Layout
• NCCER Fundamentals of Crew Leadership
• NCCER Project Supervision
• NCCER Project Management
• OSHA 10
• OSHA 30

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Physical Demands: 

• Lift and carry heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Stand, Kneel, Bend, Stoop, Move, and Walk long distances in and around confined, cluttered places, and uneven areas.
• See and hear naturally or with correction.
• Full range of motion and flexibility consistent with requirements of the job duties.
• Requires using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls according to a set procedure.
• Requires repetitive movement.
• May require work above 5 feet in height.
• Climb and maintain balance on steel framework, stairs, ladders and scaffolds.
• Work up to a 12 hour shift doing hard physical labor in varying temperature extremes and other outside conditions.

Work Environment:

• Typical construction site environment: Requires working in cramped work spaces and getting into awkward positions.
• Requires working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32F degrees) temperatures and exposure to inclement weather such as dust, wind, snow, rain, etc.
• Requires working in extremely bright or low lighting conditions
• Includes exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
• Work around hazardous equipment.
• Typical office environment.
• This position is considered a safety sensitive position.