Party Chief

Job Title: Party Chief

Job Description

The Party Chief leads a two to three person field survey crew and serves as a key link between field operations and project management. This role focuses on collecting accurate field data for boundary, topographic, utility, and construction-related surveys using modern surveying equipment and software. The Party Chief interprets engineering plans, maps, and aerial photographs to plan and execute survey tasks, supports occasional office-based drafting and data processing, and helps maintain high standards of quality, safety, and efficiency across all survey projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a two to three person field survey crew on a wide range of boundary, topographic, utility, and construction projects.
• Communicate and collaborate closely with project managers to establish project goals, clarify scope, and align on priorities.
• Provide clear and timely daily updates to project managers regarding project status, progress, challenges, and next steps.
• Collect accurate field data using total stations, data collectors, GPS, and other survey equipment and software to support preparation of survey deliverables.
• Use reports, maps, drawings, engineering plans, and aerial photographs to assess project needs, plan field activities, and assist in determining the most efficient project approach.
• Establish, verify, and recover survey control and monumentation to ensure precise reference points for all survey tasks.
• Perform construction layout for civil and site development projects, including staking and marking as required.
• Obtain sewer invert data and subsurface utility information and document existing conditions through comprehensive photo documentation.
• Apply advanced mathematics and the principles and techniques of surveying to ensure accuracy and reliability of all measurements and calculations.
• Maintain survey equipment in good working order, perform routine checks, and initiate repairs or service when necessary.
• Download and organize field data, ensuring accurate transfer into office systems and software for further processing.
• Assist with office tasks as needed, including CAD drafting, data download and management, deed and map research, and filing of project documentation.
• Conduct map and deed research to support boundary determinations, utility investigations, and topographic surveys.
• Use Microsoft Office tools to prepare basic documentation, reports, and data summaries related to survey work.
• Support utility surveys, as-built surveys, and topographic surveys by ensuring complete and accurate field data collection.
• Collaborate effectively with co-workers and managers, contributing to a positive, professional, and safety-focused team environment.
• Travel to project sites, including occasional overnight stays, while maintaining a professional and reliable presence on all assignments.
• Perform other related duties as requested to support the success of the survey team and the broader organization.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma.
• At least 4 years of experience in land surveying specific to boundary, topographic, and utility projects.
• At least 2 years of experience leading a survey crew of two or more people.
• At least 2 years of hands-on experience using total stations and data collectors in the field.
• Strong knowledge of land surveying principles, techniques, and advanced mathematics as applied to surveying tasks.
• Proficiency with total station equipment and data collectors for field data acquisition.
• Experience with construction layout for civil and site development projects.
• Demonstrated experience performing boundary, topographic, and utility surveys.
• Ability to read and interpret reports, maps, drawings, engineering plans, and aerial photographs.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent analytical, organizational, and judgment skills.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with co-workers, project managers, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications for basic documentation and reporting.
• Valid driver's license in good standing.
• Willingness and ability to travel and stay overnight for select projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Undergraduate-level courses or higher education in Surveying or a related field.
• Any certificates, college courses, or classes in surveying, civil engineering, or related disciplines.
• Experience with Leica Total Station equipment.
• Experience with Carlson data collectors.
• Experience with AutoCAD for survey drafting.
• Experience with Civil 3D for civil and survey design and drafting.
• Familiarity with Terramodel or similar survey software.
• Experience performing as-built surveys and topographic surveys.
• Experience with utility surveys and gathering sewer and subsurface utility information.
• Experience with data download, data entry, and managing survey datasets.
• Experience with land development and construction-related survey tasks.
• Ability to perform thorough map research and deed research to support boundary and utility determinations.
• Comfort working with aerial photographs to plan and execute survey work.
• Interest in and ability to transition into or grow in an office-based drafting role if desired.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor crews of two or more team members.

Work Environment

This role is based in a first-class office building located on the water in New Haven, with a beautiful office space on a high floor offering expansive views, including sightlines to Long Island from one of the conference rooms. The position is predominantly field-based, with approximately 90% of the time spent outdoors leading survey crews of two to three people on a variety of sites. Field work involves regular use of survey equipment such as total stations, data collectors, GPS units, and related tools, along with office-based technologies including AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Carlson, Terramodel, and Microsoft Office for data processing and drafting. The schedule includes some overnight travel for select projects, with hotel accommodations provided and return home on weekends. The survey team is large and well-established, offering strong peer support, and the organization provides a clear path for growth into office drafting or other advanced roles for those interested. A company vehicle may be available for use and can be taken home in accordance with company policies. The culture emphasizes professional development, collaboration, and participation in a globally recognized, award-winning design and consulting environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of New Haven, CT.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $72000.00 - $88000.00/yr.

Langan provides a rich array of programs and benefits to help its employees advance their careers and enhance the quality of their lives. Our comprehensive compensation package includes: full-time employment company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and paid pregnancy disability leave; 401(k)/Roth with company match; paid time off including parental and military leave; employee referral and professional license bonuses; and educational reimbursement.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in New Haven,CT.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 10, 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 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.