Surveyors

map problem elevation realistic interests property boundary shape land feature dimension of land geodetic measurement body of water

County Surveyor, Land Surveyor, Licensed Land Surveyor, Surveyor

What they do:
Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.
On the job, you would:
  • Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
  • Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
  • Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.

Knowledge

Math and Science

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

Engineering and Technology

  • product and service development
  • computers and electronics

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

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

Math

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

Verbal

  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • use rules to solve problems
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Spatial

  • imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

They do well at jobs that need:

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

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Hot Technology In Demand
  • Bentley MicroStation Hot Technology In Demand

Analytical or scientific software

  • Sokkia Spectrum Survey Suite
  • Survey software

Map creation software

  • Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
  • Sokkia Imap

Education

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

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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