Survey Crew Chief

Job Title: Survey Technician Job Description
The Survey Technician will support and, when needed, lead survey crews on a variety of transportation, municipal, and land development projects across Southeast Michigan. Typical work includes county roads, parking lots, parks, MDOT-related sites, and occasional automotive industrial facilities. The role involves both field and office work, performing construction staking, boundary surveys, and topographic surveys using modern survey equipment such as GNSS/GPS, robotic total stations, LIDAR, Trimble systems, and drones. The position is based in the Metro Detroit area and offers the opportunity to contribute to high-impact infrastructure and development projects while working within a collaborative and forward-thinking team.
Responsibilities
- Oversee and execute construction, right-of-way, control, boundary, topographic, and other related survey tasks for a variety of projects.
- Review and follow project scope, keeping all project information, records, and electronic files well organized and up to date.
- Collaborate with stakeholders, including local officials, engineers, contractors, and supervisors throughout the duration of each project.
- Determine appropriate surveying techniques and methodologies to be used on each project based on site conditions and project requirements.
- Coordinate with utility companies to ensure surveys are properly executed for public streets, easements, and related infrastructure.
- Operate Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS or GPS), robotic total stations, digital and optical levels, and other survey instruments with a high level of proficiency.
- Gather survey data to map areas and measure angles, distances, and elevations accurately for design and construction purposes.
- Analyze plans, plats, and legal documents to appropriately plan, schedule, and execute survey work.
- Draft clear and accurate reports, descriptions, and other documentation for all surveys performed.
- Create cut sheet reports for construction staking to support field crews and construction teams.
- Ensure final maps and deliverables provide a comprehensive and accurate representation of the field survey data.
- Monitor and ensure that the work of all crew members meets established standards and that assigned tasks are completed in a timely manner.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of surveying ethics and technical standards and consistently conform to these requirements.
- Coordinate and supervise field work for a variety of standard survey types, ensuring safety and quality in daily operations.
- Complete record keeping, timekeeping, and job charge documentation in an organized and efficient manner.
- Maintain surveying equipment, ensuring it remains in good working condition and is properly calibrated.
- Use survey equipment and software, primarily Leica-based systems ("the person") and Trimble equipment, to perform field and office tasks.
- Support both field and office survey activities, including data collection, data processing, and preparation of deliverables.
- Travel throughout the Metro Detroit area to various project sites using a company-provided work truck.
- Contribute to a collaborative, team-oriented environment by communicating effectively and supporting continuous improvement in survey practices.
Essential Skills
- At least 2 years of surveying or construction field experience.
- Thorough understanding of and ability to execute proper field survey procedures and techniques.
- Ability to comprehend and utilize construction plans for layout and verification in the field.
- Strong understanding of mathematical calculations used in field surveys and the ability to identify and correct mistakes in calculations.
- Ability to perform all aspects of field surveys, including boundary, control, topographic, and construction staking work.
- Experience with Leica-based survey systems ("the person") or Trimble equipment.
- Proficiency in operating field controllers and instruments, including GNSS, robotic total stations, and digital levels.
- Ability to organize project information and electronic files in a structured and efficient manner.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for drafting reports and collaborating with project stakeholders.
- Capability to work outdoors in varying conditions while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Associate degree or technical education in Surveying, Civil Technology, or an equivalent discipline.
- Ability and interest in obtaining a Professional Surveyor (PS) license.
- Certified Survey Technician credential.
- 5 or more years of experience in surveying or closely related field work.
- Drone experience, including use of UAVs for survey data collection.
- Experience with survey CAD data processing using Civil 3D or Bentley software.
- Experience with LIDAR-based data collection and processing.
- Experience working on transportation, municipal, and land development projects.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a self-driven approach to tackling field and technical challenges.
- Interest in continuous learning and professional growth within a collaborative, forward-thinking team environment.
Work Environment
This role is based in the Metro Detroit area and involves a mix of field and office work, with the majority of time spent in the field. Survey Technicians work year-round and are exposed to a full range of weather conditions while performing surveys on roads, parking lots, parks, MDOT-related sites, and industrial facilities. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, with an expected workload of 4050 hours per week; Saturday work is rare. The position includes the use of a company-provided work truck, gas card, and laptop, and relies on modern survey technologies such as GNSS/GPS, robotic total stations, digital and optical levels, LIDAR, drones, and Leica and Trimble systems. The work environment is team- and family-oriented, collaborative, and challenging, with a strong focus on forward-thinking engineering solutions and professional growth. The organization emphasizes work-life balance, offering flexible work hours, generous paid time off beginning on day one, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes affordable medical, dental, and vision plans, employer-matched 401(k), life insurance, disability income, tuition reimbursement, wellness and employee assistance programs, and hourly pay with overtime at 1.5x. The culture encourages self-driven professionals who view challenges as opportunities to learn and make a lasting difference.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Saginaw, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60000.00 - $85000.00/yr. 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 hybrid position in Saginaw,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 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.