Senior Party Chief

Senior Party Chief Job Description

Job Title: Senior Party Chief

Department: Surveying / Geomatics

Reports To: Survey Manager or Director of Survey Operations

Position Summary

The Senior Party Chief leads field survey crews in collecting, verifying, and documenting survey data for boundary, topographic, construction, utility, ALTA/NSPS, and other land surveying projects. This position is responsible for ensuring survey work is completed accurately, safely, and efficiently while coordinating with project managers, engineers, clients, and office staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise survey field crews on a variety of projects.
• Plan daily field activities and assign tasks to crew members.
• Operate and oversee the use of survey equipment, including GPS, robotic total stations, data collectors, digital levels, and UAV/drone systems when applicable.
• Perform boundary, topographic, construction staking, as-built, and utility surveys.
• Review field data for completeness and accuracy before submission.
• Maintain survey records, field notes, and electronic data files.
• Ensure compliance with company safety policies and industry regulations.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, contractors, and clients regarding project requirements and schedules.
• Troubleshoot field conditions and resolve technical issues.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate junior party chiefs, instrument operators, and survey technicians.
• Perform quality control checks on survey measurements and calculations.
• Assist with project planning, scheduling, and budget management.
• Maintain survey equipment and coordinate repairs or calibration as needed.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Surveying, Geomatics, Civil Engineering Technology, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible surveying experience, including crew leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of surveying principles, methods, and procedures.
• Proficiency with GPS, RTK, robotic total stations, data collection software, and CAD-related workflows.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans, plats, deeds, legal descriptions, and construction drawings.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license or ability to obtain licensure.
• FAA Part 107 certification for drone operations.
• Experience with Trimble, Leica, Carlson, or Topcon survey equipment.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D, Carlson Survey, MicroStation, or similar software.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to travel to project sites and work occasional overtime as required.

Core Competencies

• Leadership and team management
• Technical surveying expertise
• Quality assurance and attention to detail
• Safety awareness
• Client service orientation
• Project coordination and scheduling
• Effective communication

Safety-Sensitive Position: This position may require the operation of a motor vehicle in the performance of job duties and is therefore designated as a safety-sensitive position under applicable Oklahoma law. Employees in this position are subject to the Company's drug and alcohol testing policies.

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