Geodetic Surveyors

control equipment specification investigative earth surface compute property boundary survey data general public

Geodesist, Geodetic Advisor, Geodetic Surveyor, Land Surveyor

What they do:
Measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.
On the job, you would:
  • Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.
  • Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.
  • Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.

Knowledge

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • geography

Engineering and Technology

  • product and service development
  • computers and electronics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Skills

Basic Skills

  • using math to solve problems
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • order or arrange things

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Persistence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
  • Bentley MicroStation Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Analytical or scientific software

  • QuickCogo
  • Underhill Geomatics Copan

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about geodetic surveyors.