Project Surveyor / Survey Crew Chief

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Project Surveyor / Survey Crew Chief (Non-Licensed)

Job Description

This Project Surveyor role offers the opportunity to perform a wide variety of field and office surveying tasks in support of utility-focused engineering projects in the Indianapolis area. You will spend most of your time in the field conducting topographic surveys, easement work, and structural measure downs, while also processing field data into Civil 3D. Working closely with licensed surveyors, project surveyors, project managers, and engineers, you will help ensure the accurate and timely completion of surveying projects that support municipal water and wastewater designs.

Responsibilities

• Perform and assist with topographic surveys to gather elevation and boundary data for development and utility projects.
• Assist with easement work, including identifying, documenting, and verifying property boundaries and rights-of-way in coordination with senior survey staff.
• Conduct structural measure downs and provide detailed measurements and documentation for structures such as manholes, inlets, and related infrastructure.
• Prepare clear and organized field notes, survey data, and photos for review by licensed surveyors and project teams.
• Collaborate closely with engineers and other professionals to support project requirements and ensure survey data aligns with design needs.
• Assist in supporting other offices with survey work as needed, including traveling to various project sites.
• Operate Trimble total stations, GPS units, and R-12 data collectors to collect accurate field data.
• Process survey field data by exporting CSV files from data collectors and importing them into Civil 3D, ensuring drawings are accurate and correctly labeled.
• Create and refine surfaces in Civil 3D when capable, enhancing the quality and usability of survey deliverables.
• Work effectively as part of one-person and two-person survey crews, performing work independently when required.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and safely operate a company vehicle to travel to and from project sites.
• Travel to project locations, including occasional overnight stays, and manage time effectively to meet project schedules and deadlines.
• Support the survey team’s contribution to a variety of municipal utility projects, helping deliver high-quality data for unique and complex designs.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of field experience operating surveying equipment and performing surveys, ideally at a crew chief level with the ability to work independently.
• Strong hands-on experience conducting topographic surveys and land surveying activities.
• Proficiency operating Trimble total station, GPS unit, and R-12 data collector in the field.
• Ability to process survey field data, including exporting CSV files from data collectors and importing them into Civil 3D.
• Working knowledge of Civil 3D and AutoCAD for reviewing and preparing survey drawings.
• Skill in ensuring survey drawings are accurate, properly labeled, and suitable for engineering use.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive to project sites.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project locations and stay overnight when required by project demands.
• Capability to work in one-person and two-person crews and perform survey tasks independently.
• Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to maintain thorough and accurate field notes and documentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience creating and refining surfaces in Civil 3D is a strong plus.
• Background in utility-related surveying, particularly water and wastewater projects, is highly beneficial.
• Comfort working with rights-of-way, easements, and property boundary documentation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with licensed surveyors, project surveyors, project managers, and engineers.
• Interest in long-term professional growth, including expanding responsibilities and technical capabilities.
• Strong communication skills for coordinating with team members and presenting survey findings.
• Demonstrated reliability and flexibility to adapt to varying project schedules and travel requirements.

Work Environment

This role is based out of an Indianapolis office, with approximately 90% of the time spent in the field and 10% in the office. You will primarily work on utility projects, including water and wastewater, rather than heavy transportation or construction staking. The survey team currently consists of three professionals, including a licensed surveyor and project surveyors, all located in Indianapolis. A company vehicle is provided for travel to project sites. The position typically follows a Monday through Friday schedule, with most weeks structured as four 10-hour days (Monday through Thursday). However, you must be able to work a traditional Monday through Friday schedule when project needs require it, averaging about 40–45 hours per week. Overtime is compensated at time-and-a-half when working as a consultant, and when permanent, the role is salaried with overtime paid as straight time, along with access to bonuses and profit sharing. Travel is mostly local, with an estimated 80% of nights spent at home and about 20% involving overnight stays. For project sites more than 80 miles from the home office, hotel accommodations and a daily per diem are provided, along with mileage reimbursement. You will work with Trimble equipment, including total stations, GPS units, R-12 data collectors, and Trimble Business Center for field data processing into Civil 3D, supporting a variety of unique municipal projects in a professional, team-oriented environment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Indianapolis, IN.

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $45.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Indianapolis,IN.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.