Surveyor (Contract Position)

New World Van Lines of Chicago (NWVL) is seeking a highly professional and detail-oriented Independent Contractor to serve as a Household Goods Surveyor and Job Site Inspector for its Chicago Service Center. In this role, the Contractor will travel to shippers’ residences within a 150-mile radius of the Chicagoland area to conduct thorough pre-move surveys and on-site quality and compliance inspections of active household goods relocations. This is not a supervisory or employment position. The Contractor operates as an independent service provider and is responsible for managing their own schedule and professional conduct in accordance with the terms of their Contractor Operating Agreement with NWVL. The Contractor’s primary function is to protect the shipper’s interests, ensure the accuracy of move estimates, verify field adherence to NWVL’s service standards, and serve as a visible point of professional contact at the shipper’s home before and during the move process. Scope of Services Pre-Move Surveys Conduct in-person, in-home surveys of household goods at the shipper’s residence, performing a systematic room-by-room walk-through to identify, assess, and document all items designated for shipment. Assess the volume, weight, and handling complexity of household goods, applying working knowledge of standard item weights, cube measurements, and carrier tariff classifications to develop accurate move estimates. Identify and document items of high value or requiring specialized care, including antiques, fine art, electronics, fragile or irreplaceable items, and custom furniture—note specific packing, crating, or handling requirements and communicate these clearly in the survey record. Video record the interior and exterior of the residence as part of the survey process, capturing the condition of the home’s entry points, hallways, stairways, doorways, and access routes to assist the crew in pre-move planning and to establish a pre-move condition baseline for the property. Document all ingress and egress points—including front and rear entries, elevators, loading docks, and any access restrictions—note dimensions, obstructions, floor protection requirements, and special conditions that will affect the crew’s ability to safely navigate the residence. Note and document any existing property damage (walls, floors, doors, fixtures) prior to the move, creating a contemporaneous record that protects both the shipper and NWVL from post-move liability disputes. Discuss with the shipper the full scope of services contracted, confirming packing assignments, timing expectations, special requests, and any items the shipper has elected to transport personally—document all confirmed instructions in the survey. Address shipper questions or concerns regarding the move process, service timeline, insurance valuation options, and packing materials, providing clear and accurate information or escalating to the appropriate NWVL office contact when warranted. Complete and transmit all survey documentation—including written inventory, video footage, photographs, and field notes—to the NWVL operations team by close of business date for accurate estimate processing. Job Site Inspections (Active Move Visits) Conduct on-site visits to active household goods relocations within a 150-mile radius of the Chicago Service Center to monitor crew performance, service quality, and shipper satisfaction throughout the execution of the move. Observe and evaluate crew adherence to NWVL’s established operational procedures, including proper furniture disassembly and reassembly practices, correct packing and padding of household goods, appropriate use of floor runners, door jamb protection, and corner guards throughout the residence. Assess whether the crew is handling items of identified value with the level of care documented in the pre-move survey, including proper use of specialty materials for fragile, high-value, or oversized items. Monitor the condition of the shipper’s home during the move, confirming that protective coverings remain in place, that no property damage has occurred, and that the crew is maintaining the integrity of the residence throughout the service. Engage directly with the shipper during the site visit to assess their satisfaction with the service being performed, address any concerns or questions they may have, and serve as an accessible NWVL representative who can facilitate communication between the shipper and the operations team when issues arise. Identify and document any service deficiencies, crew conduct issues, shipper complaints, or deviations from contracted services observed during the visit; prepare a concise field inspection report and transmit findings to the NWVL operations team promptly upon completion of the visit. Exercise sound professional judgment when responding to on-site service issues: de-escalate shipper concerns diplomatically, coordinate with crew leadership to address procedural deficiencies in real time, and document all corrective actions taken or recommended. Verify that the move is progressing on schedule relative to the contracted service window and communicate any material delays, access complications, or scope changes to the NWVL operations team. Administrative & Operational Support Process and submit completed survey and inspection documentation utilizing NWVL’s designated platforms, forms, and communication channels on a same-day or next-business-day basis. Operate standard office equipment including computers, tablets, scanners, printers, and fax machines as required to complete administrative functions associated with the Contractor’s service obligations. Maintain proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as any survey or move-management software utilized by NWVL’s Chicago Service Center. Operate company or personal vehicles as needed to fulfill field obligations, maintaining compliance with all applicable traffic laws and NWVL’s driver conduct policies at all times. Perform such additional duties as may be reasonably requested by NWVL’s operations or service management team in connection with the Contractor’s scope of services. Minimum Qualifications High School Diploma or GED equivalent required; some college coursework preferred. NWVL will provide comprehensive position-specific training. Prior experience in household goods moving, relocation services or a related field is advantageous. Valid driver’s license with a clean and acceptable driving record required; Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is a plus. Demonstrated customer service aptitude and a genuine commitment to delivering a positive shipper experience. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and empathetically with shippers, crew members, and NWVL staff in a variety of settings. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage time effectively across multiple assignments within a given service day. Self-directed and motivated; capable of working independently in the field with minimal supervision while maintaining consistent documentation and communication standards. Ability to maintain flexible scheduling and manage an increased workload during peak moving seasons (typically spring through late summer). Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and general computer operations. Ability to operate standard office equipment including computers, scanners, printers, fax machines. Physical Requirements Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle in accordance with NWVL’s vehicle and driver safety policies. Ability to access all areas of a residential property is necessary to conduct a complete survey or inspection, including navigating multi-story homes via staircases, accessing attic spaces served by fixed staircases, and entering garages, basements, storage units, and other exterior structures. Ability to walk through active move sites, including areas where household goods, moving equipment, and packing materials may be present, with the physical agility and spatial awareness required to do so safely. Ability to communicate frequently by telephone, video conference, and written communication channels. Ability to move about an office environment and access office machinery, filing cabinets, and supply areas as needed. Subject to maintaining compliance with all NWVL policies applicable to the performance of the essential functions of this safety-sensitive independent contractor position. This position is structured as an independent contractor engagement. The Contractor is not an employee of New World Van Lines of Chicago, Inc. and is not entitled to employee benefits, workers’ compensation coverage, or withholding of employment taxes by NWVL. The Contractor is solely responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local tax obligations arising from compensation received under this arrangement. All services are rendered pursuant to a written Contractor Operating Agreement executed between the parties prior to the commencement of services. #J-18808-Ljbffr New World Van Lines, Inc.