Land Surveyor Instrument Operator

Job Title: Entry-Level Land Survey Instrument Operator

Job Description

The Entry-Level Land Survey Instrument Operator will support a survey field crew on a variety of land surveying projects throughout the Raleigh, NC area and surrounding region. This position is ideal for someone looking to begin or grow a career in land surveying and gain hands-on experience working with modern survey equipment and experienced survey professionals. The Instrument Operator will work closely with the Survey Crew Chief to collect accurate field measurements, operate and maintain surveying equipment, document field conditions, and assist with boundary, topographic, construction, and other types of surveys. Previous professional surveying experience is preferred but not required . Candidates with construction, engineering, utilities, outdoor field work, CAD, or technical backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Training and mentorship will be provided.

Responsibilities

- Assist the Survey Crew Chief with daily field surveying activities on projects throughout Raleigh and surrounding areas.
- Learn to set up, operate, and care for surveying equipment including Total Stations, data collectors, GPS/GNSS equipment, and levels .
- Collect accurate field measurements including angles, distances, elevations, and locations of physical features.
- Assist with boundary, topographic, construction staking, existing-conditions, and other field surveys .
- Set up survey instruments over established points and help maintain proper instrument orientation throughout field operations.
- Assist in establishing survey control points, benchmarks, and reference points.
- Record clear and accurate field notes, measurements, sketches, and other project information.
- Search for property corners, monuments, stakes, benchmarks, and other survey evidence in the field.
- Assist with measuring and documenting buildings, roads, utilities, property features, drainage structures, and other existing site conditions.
- Learn basic surveying calculations and understand how field measurements are used to produce survey drawings and project deliverables.
- Download, organize, and transfer collected survey data for office processing.
- Help maintain, clean, charge, and protect surveying equipment and field vehicles.
- Follow company procedures and Survey Crew Chief instructions to maintain consistent and accurate data collection.
- Follow all company and client safety requirements while working around roadways, construction sites, utilities, and other active project environments.
- Communicate effectively with the Crew Chief and other team members regarding field conditions and project needs.
- Perform other field surveying duties as assigned while developing technical knowledge and increasing responsibility.

Essential Skills

- 0-2 years of surveying or related field experience.
- Interest in developing a long-term career in land surveying, geomatics, engineering, or construction .
- Comfortable working outdoors for the majority of the workday.
- Ability to follow instructions and learn new equipment, technology, and field procedures.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to collecting accurate information.
- Basic math skills and willingness to learn surveying calculations.
- Dependable and able to arrive at project sites on time and prepared for field work.
- Comfortable working as part of a two- or three-person survey crew.
- Ability to communicate clearly with Crew Chiefs, surveyors, engineers, and other team members.
- Willingness to work in varying terrain and weather conditions.
- Ability to safely carry and set up survey equipment throughout the workday.
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

The following experience is helpful but not required :

- Previous experience as a Survey Rod Person, Survey Technician, Instrument Operator, or Survey Assistant.
- Exposure to Total Stations, GPS/GNSS, data collectors, levels, or other surveying equipment .
- Construction, civil engineering, utilities, environmental, landscaping, or other outdoor field experience.
- Basic understanding of construction plans, engineering drawings, maps, or property plats.
- Familiarity with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, surveying software, or other technical software.
- Coursework or education in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering, engineering technology, construction, or a related technical field.
- Experience working around construction sites or roadway environments.

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate does not need to come in knowing everything about surveying. We are looking for someone who is:

- Dependable and willing to learn
- Comfortable working outdoors
- Mechanically and technically inclined
- Detail-oriented
- Comfortable using computers and electronic equipment
- Able to take direction from an experienced Crew Chief
- Interested in progressing within the surveying profession
- Motivated to learn increasingly complex survey equipment and field procedures

This position can provide a strong starting point for someone interested in eventually progressing into roles such as Instrument Operator, Survey Technician, Survey Crew Chief, Survey CAD Technician, or other surveying/geomatics positions .

Work Environment

This position is based in Raleigh, NC and will primarily involve field work at project sites throughout Raleigh and surrounding communities. Most working time will be spent outdoors operating surveying equipment and assisting the Survey Crew Chief with data collection. Candidates should be comfortable working outside in changing weather conditions and walking over a variety of terrain. Project environments may include undeveloped land, commercial and residential sites, roadways, utility corridors, and active construction sites. The position offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with professional surveying equipment while learning directly from experienced survey professionals and developing the technical skills needed to advance within the land surveying industry.
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 $22.00 - $26.00/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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Raleigh,NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 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 [email protected] 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.