Land Surveyor

Job Title: Land Surveyor / Crew ChiefJob Description

This role offers an experienced Land Surveyor / Crew Chief the opportunity to lead a small field crew on a wide range of projects across the southeastern region, with a primary focus along the North Carolina coast and a home base in Wilmington. You will perform hands-on field surveying, independently and as a leader of a two-person crew, while ensuring that all work meets high standards of quality, accuracy, regulatory compliance, safety, and client responsiveness. The position involves organizing and executing field work, maintaining equipment and vehicles, collecting and delivering precise field data, and supporting projects in sectors such as land development, transportation, public works, and coastal and beach nourishment initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Organize, plan, and execute field survey work to meet project schedules, budgets, and regulatory requirements.
• Work independently and lead a small field crew, typically consisting of two individuals, on survey projects throughout the southeastern region.
• Locate, review, and research job locations to identify landmarks, physical features, and significant land changes that may affect survey results.
• Supervise the work of the survey crew, establish priorities, and coordinate daily work efforts to ensure efficient and accurate data collection.
• Oversee and verify the quality and standard of work being performed by the crew, including performing and checking necessary field calculations.
• Supervise the maintenance, proper use, and care of survey instruments, tools, and equipment, including vehicles.
• Ensure that all angles, distances, elevations, and other survey measurements are accurate and comply with applicable regulations and standards.
• Coordinate survey findings and field data with engineering personnel, clients, and other stakeholders involved in the projects.
• Research and review previous survey evidence, maps, deeds, physical evidence, and other records to obtain data needed for new or ongoing surveys.
• Determine appropriate methods and procedures for establishing or reestablishing survey control points and reference systems.
• Keep accurate and detailed field notes, records, and sketches that clearly describe the work performed and conditions encountered.
• Complete daily logs and expense reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Prepare and complete company and client safety forms and ensure all crew members follow established safety procedures and protocols.
• Consult with office and computer personnel to review and verify the final production of survey work performed in the field.
• Accurately and efficiently collect field data, including locating features, utilities, and topographic details, and deliver data to the office for processing.
• Maintain a safe work environment in the field by following safety guidelines and promoting safe practices among all crew members.
• Protect and maintain assigned equipment and vehicles, ensuring they remain in proper working condition and are used responsibly.
• Engage in effective public relations while working on or near public and private properties, representing the firm professionally at all times.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 3+ years of progressive experience in survey field operations, including at least 2 years as an Instrument Operator.
• Proficiency with survey equipment, including total stations, data collectors, and GPS equipment.
• Familiarity with commonly used surveying terms and the use and care of survey tools and field equipment used for measuring, sighting, and leveling.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and oversee the use of Total Station/Data Collector, level instruments, and various Global Positioning System (GPS) methods.
• Experience in land surveying, including construction stakeouts, topographic surveys, ALTA surveys, and utility locating.
• Ability to perform and verify field calculations and ensure the accuracy of collected survey data.
• Strong technical aptitude with a process-oriented, methodical, and consistent working style.
• High attention to detail, precision, and a strong dislike for errors, with a focus on producing accurate and thorough work.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently when required.
• Ability to maintain accurate notes, records, sketches, and logs related to field work and expenses.
• Valid driver"s license with an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• Willingness and ability to travel, including some overnight trips, as required by project needs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience serving as a Crew Chief, Party Chief, or similar leadership role in land surveying.
• Hands-on background as an Instrument Operator with responsibility for field data collection and equipment operation.
• Experience with land survey types such as topography, hydro surveys, and beach or coastal-related surveys.
• Familiarity with Civil 3D or similar civil design and drafting software to support coordination with office personnel.
• Comfort working in a variety of sectors, including land development, transportation (DOT), public sector projects, and beach nourishment or coastal engineering projects.
• Behavioral traits such as being steady, helpful, structured, and consistent in approach to work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with crew members, engineers, clients, and other project stakeholders.
• Capability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize workload, and meet project deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards.

Work Environment

This position is based out of an office in Wilmington, North Carolina, with the majority of time spent working in the field on projects along the North Carolina coast and within the broader region, including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The role involves approximately 60% travel, with primary workloads typically within a daily commuting distance; however, some assignments will require overnight stays, for which appropriate travel compensation is provided. Field work will be conducted in a variety of outdoor environments and conditions, including active construction sites, developed and undeveloped land, and coastal or beach areas. You will regularly use survey instruments such as total stations, data collectors, GPS equipment, levels, and related tools, as well as company vehicles for travel to project sites. The work environment emphasizes safety, structured processes, and collaboration between field crews and office-based engineering and technical staff, offering exposure to diverse projects in land development, transportation, public infrastructure, and coastal and beach nourishment initiatives.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Raleigh, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $38.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Raleigh, NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 10, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Raleigh,NC.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.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.