SURVEY PARTY CHIEF

Salary: $46,251.00 - $58,970.00 Annually
Location : Columbia, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600100
Department: ENGINEERING
Division: ENG: ENGINEERING DIV
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: 110


Description


This position supervises and participates in the work of a survey crew; and performs related technical and supervisory work as required in support of City engineering projects. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

The work is considered medium in nature and involves walking, standing, stooping, stretching or lifting all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving very close tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: fingering, grasping, hearing, kneeling, mental acuity, reaching, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals / wildlife, traffic, moving machinery, disease/pathogens; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversees and participates in professional survey work in support of City engineering projects;
• Instructs, assigns, reviews and plans work of assigned crew members; maintains standards; and offers training, advice and assistance as needed;
• Assists in research if needed by supervisors of plats, deeds, maps, existing surveys and soil information as requested;
• Conducts field surveys; measures and records elevations, distances and areas;
• Stakes out sewer manholes, service lines, driveway pipes, ditches, rights-of-way, easements, wetlands, etc., for construction purposes; surveys and monuments land property boundaries; sets grade for street and utility construction; surveys for street layouts, utility easements and right-of-ways;
• Gathers information for City utility and ground feasibility studies and trigonometric topographic studies;
• Prepares technical sketches as a guideline for engineers;
• Prepares as-built drawings as required;
• Uses and monitors the use of the Global Positioning System to assist with survey work as appropriate;
• Ensures crew compliance with all applicable policies, procedures and standards of safety;
• Ensures the proper maintenance of assigned vehicles and equipment;
• Assists in coordinating survey / field data collection with engineers, CADD technicians and other staff as appropriate;
• Receives and responds to inquiries, complaints and requests for assistance in areas of responsibility as directed by supervisor;
• Performs general administrative / clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, attending meetings, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, etc.;
• Attends meetings, training, seminars, etc., as required to enhance job knowledge and skills; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or GED;
• Four (4) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class "D" Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of algebra working with such factors as exponents, logarithms, linear and quadratic equations; concepts of analytic geometry, differentiation and integration of algebraic functions; statistics, applying such functions as frequency distribution, reliability, validity and correlation techniques; finance and economics using financial and econometric models;
• Ability to coordinate or determine time, place or sequence of operations or activities based on analysis of data or information and may implement and report on operations and;
• Ability to supervise or lead others by determining work procedures, assigning duties, maintaining harmonious relations and promoting efficiency;

• Ability to lead, operate or repair complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as survey instruments or the application of complex software or systems; may involve installation and testing. Involves operations of limited scope;
• Ability to perform coordinating work involving guidelines and rules, with constant problem-solving;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; application of specialized technical or professional principles and practices or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
• Ability to actions of others, requiring almost constant decisions affecting co-workers, customers or others in the general public; works in a moderately fluid environment with guidelines and rules, but frequent variations from the routine.

The City of Columbia is proud to offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees. This package includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time or temporary employees, including interns, are not eligible for City benefits.
To learn more details, visit our benefits page at:
01


Do you have a High School diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have at least four (4) years of work experience relevant to this position?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have a valid Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

Required Question