Survey Instrument Technician

Survey Instrument Technician

Salary

$48,257.87 - $84,451.33 Annually

Location

FX. CTY. GOVERNMENT CENTER, 12000 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY., FAIRFAX (EJ32), VA

Job Type

FT Hourly W BN

Job Number

26-00646

Department

DPWES Capital Facilities

Opening Date

08/08/2026

Closing Date

8/28/2026 11:59 AM Eastern

Pay Grade

S16

Posting Type

Open to General Public

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Announcement

This job opportunity is being re-announced. Applicants who have already applied remain under consideration and are not required to submit another application. However, applicants who wish to update or revise their original application are encouraged to reapply with the revised information.

Grab your hard hat, plan set, and your data collector! Don't let this party pass you by!

This position serves in the completion of various types of field surveys such as design, geodetic, construction, property, and as-builts. Reports to the Chief of Survey Parties. The ideal candidate has knowledge of the principles of land surveying, and basic principles of civil engineering specifically relating to construction processes. This job puts you where the action is happening! Join a dynamic team for a career opportunity to build Fairfax!

DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits:

• Benefits
• Retirement

Utilities Design and Construction Division manages the bid advertisement, contract award processes, and overseeing all aspects of construction contract management for transportation projects and stormwater projects including inspection, testing, code compliance, warranty, and project closeout. The Land Survey Branch provides professional surveying services for the construction, land acquisition, and design of capital projects.

Illustrative Duties

• Operates various surveying instruments including GPS & RTK equipment, and electronic data stations to collect data for pre-engineering design surveys, establish and re-establish lines for construction stakeout surveys and easement and property lines;
• Recovers property corners and sets traverse control points for boundary surveys;
• Sets and marks stakes for construction stakeout projects;
• Directs the survey party during the absence of the party chief and when acting for the Survey Crew Chief;
• Maintains survey equipment and survey vehicle and ensures vehicle is well stocked with supplies.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of survey field work;
• Working knowledge of mathematics, engineering formulas and techniques including trigonometric functions and the ability to compute curves;
• Working knowledge of applicable County, State and Federal laws, codes, and regulations;
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and the GIS system;
• Ability to properly use and correctly adjust survey equipment;
• Ability to conduct research and evaluate data;
• Ability to understand and interpret legal descriptions, engineering plans, maps, and field data;
• Ability to apply basic surveying principles to the solution of problems.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to high school graduation or a GED issued by a state department of education; plus two years of survey field work.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

Valid motor vehicle operators license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from a five-year Surveying Apprenticeship Classroom Education Program.
• Three or more years of experience with use of all current field equipment within the last five years including Trimble total stations, scanners, data collectors, and Trimble GPS equipment.
• Three or more years of experience collecting and recording field data, codes data for accurate mapping, and interpreting data for design and construction surveys.
• Knowledge of mathematics and techniques including trigonometric functions and the ability to compute curves.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to endure variable and extreme weather conditions, possible exposure to snakes, insects, and poisonous plants. Ability to lift and carry 75 pounds over uneven natural terrain and over rough project sites including traversing up and down steep slopes. This position requires the ability to perform physical labor, position equipment as directed and drive stakes and other marking material (using a mallet or sledgehammer) for construction purposes. Ability to measure, handle supplies, pull manhole covers with hook, operate tools such as machete and bush-hook to clear underbrush, and use a shovel. Ability to physically maneuver around wooded areas, construction sites, uneven terrain, access structures, ascend/descend slopes, climb fencing, cross creeks, or creek beds. Ability to read, understand, and produce written and typed documents proficiently. Ability to use computers/computer software for communication, report generation, electronic file-keeping, project metrics analysis, and project tracking purposes. Hearing acuity necessary for safety and communication in noisy roadway work zones and construction sites. Manual dexterity and fine motor skills required for handling of equipment and data entry. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading vision, ability to adjust focus, distinguish shapes, sizes, distance, and colors. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-JT1

Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click here for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid

For additional details please visit the Countys benefits webpage.

Non-Merit Positions

• Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage

• Flexible Spending Program

• Deferred Compensation

• Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

How many years of full-time equivalent survey field work experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four years or more

04

Do you currently possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of experience do you possess in land survey field work during the last 7 years?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven years or more

06

In which of the following software programs do you consider yourself proficient? Check all that apply.

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Publisher
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Outlook
• ESRI Arc Map
• ESRI Arc GIS
• AutoCAD LDD
• AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Smart Draft
• Carlson Field
• Carlson Office
• SDC
• MicroStation
• Trimble Business Center
• Leica GPS
• Topcon Tools
• BlueBeam ReVu
• None of the above

07

How many years of experience do you have as a Land Survey Instrument Technician during the last 7 years?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven years or more

08

How many years of experience do you have as a Land Survey Party Chief during the last 7 years?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven years or more

09

Do you possess two years or more working experience concentrated in any of the following types of land surveying during the last 7 years? Check all that apply.

• Topographic surveys for design
• Boundary surveys
• ALTA surveys
• Construction stake out for subdivisions and public improvements
• Road and bridge surveying
• Other
• None of the above

10

If you answered "Other" for the previous question, please state what type(s) of surveying you have performed. If this is not applicable to you, enter "N/A".

Required Question

Employer Fairfax County

Address 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 270

Fairfax, Virginia, 22035

Phone 703-324-3311

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/fairfaxcounty/default.cfm