Survey Crew Chief

Job Title: Survey Crew Chief

Job Description

The Survey Crew Chief leads field survey operations for a wide range of projects, including ALTA, topographic, and construction surveys. This role focuses entirely on field work, operating advanced survey instruments and data collection systems, and ensuring accurate, reliable survey data to support land development, K-12, light commercial, and industrial projects. The Survey Crew Chief also oversees a field crew, coordinates daily schedules, and maintains survey equipment and vehicles to a high standard.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform field operations for ALTA, topographical, and construction surveys.
• Operate survey instruments and data collection systems, including total stations, levels, GPS, robotics, and other measuring devices to acquire accurate data.
• Conduct land surveying, including boundary and topographic surveys, to support land development and construction stakeout activities.
• Assist with or perform processing of field measurements and related data for use in reports and survey deliverables.
• Ensure proper use, calibration, and basic troubleshooting of survey equipment, including total stations, Trimble GPS, robotics, and related tools.
• Oversee survey equipment and supply maintenance for crew vehicles, ensuring all tools and materials are available and in good working condition.
• Run and manage a field crew, including daily scheduling and coordination of tasks to meet project deadlines.
• Collaborate with office staff by providing clear, complete field notes and data files for further processing in survey software such as Carlson.
• Perform construction stakeout in the field, ensuring that layout is accurate and aligns with project plans.
• Support a variety of project types, including K-12, light commercial, and industrial projects, by delivering precise and timely field survey work.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of professional surveying experience focused on field work.
• At least 3 years of hands-on experience operating total stations in the field.
• At least 1 year of experience running a survey crew, including scheduling and daily coordination.
• Strong background in land surveying, including ALTA surveys, boundary surveys, topographic surveys, and construction stakeout.
• Proficiency with total stations, levels, and other survey measuring devices.
• Experience using Trimble GPS and robotic survey equipment in field operations.
• Ability to operate and collect data using survey data collection systems and related hardware.
• Capability to assist with or perform processing of field measurements and related data for reports.
• Competence in maintaining survey equipment and managing supplies for crew vehicles.
• Ability to work 100% in the field and perform physically demanding tasks in various outdoor conditions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Carlson or similar boundary survey and land development software.
• Familiarity with Topcon or comparable survey equipment.
• background in supporting K-12, light commercial, and industrial projects.
• Strong organizational skills to manage daily crew activities and scheduling.
• Attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality survey data.
• Effective communication skills to coordinate with field crews and office staff.
• Interest in working for a long-established, reputable surveying firm with a large survey team.

Work Environment

This position is 100% field-based. The crew meets at the office at 6:30 a.m. and then travels from the office to project sites. The role involves working outdoors in varying weather and site conditions on K-12, light commercial, and industrial projects. You will work as part of a survey team of around 50 people, collaborating with other crews and technical staff. The employer provides a company truck for crew chiefs, and crew chiefs receive pay on rain days. The environment emphasizes the use of modern survey technologies, including total stations, Trimble GPS, robotics, and related equipment, within a stable firm that has been in operation for over 60 years.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Germantown, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $45.00/hr.

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 Germantown,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 9, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.