Description of a Land Surveyor

Surveyors find exact measurements to find a properties boundary. They provide data relevant to the size, shape, and contour of the Earth’s surface for mapmaking, engineering and construction projects. Making measurements and determining a properties boundaries. Providing data relevant to the elevation, contour, gravitation, shape, location, or dimension of land or land features on the earth's surface for mining, engineering, construction, mapmaking, land evaluation, and other purposes. A surveyor determines properties legal boundaries. He or she provides data, and compiles legal documents called surveys, for construction, making maps, and real estate projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

A surveyor prepares and maintains maps, sketches, and legal descriptions of surveys in order to certify, describe, and assume liability for work performed. Verify the accuracy of survey data, including the calculations conducted at survey sites. Direct or lead surveys in order to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles. Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features. Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain. Prepare or supervise preparation of all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys. Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents. Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.

Educational Requirements

Surveyors usually need a bachelor’s degree due to greater use of technology and mathematics. Some universities and colleges offer bachelor’s degree programs designed to prepare students to become licensed surveyors. A bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as forestry or civil engineering, is sometimes acceptable. Many states need individuals who want to become licensed surveyors to have a bachelor’s degree from a school accredited by ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). They need about 2 years of work experience under a licensed surveyor. In other states, an associate’s degree in surveying, paired with several years of work experience under a licensed surveyor. The amount of work experience required varies by state. Most states have continuing education requirements.

Skills and Abilities

A surveyor needs to have excellent science, math and engineering skills the ability to analyze and interpret graphical data. Excellent communication, negotiating and presentation skills. Also needs experience in certain areas of the wilderness. Needs to be able to understand when to go into the field. Needs the ability to use sound judgment in applying surveying principles and techniques in the resolution of problems caused by inadequate and inconclusive data Understanding of Federal land acquisition procedures.