Survey Party Chief

Description
We are seeking an experienced Survey Party Chief to lead field survey crews on residential, modular, commercial, and infrastructure projects across Southern California. The Party Chief runs day-to-day field operations, including boundary, topographic, control, and construction staking surveys, and works closely with our licensed surveyors, engineers, and project teams. The position requires travel to project sites throughout Southern California (and occasionally beyond).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise field survey crews, assigning tasks and ensuring work is completed safely, accurately, and on schedule.
• Perform boundary, topographic, control, and construction staking surveys using Total Station, GPS/GNSS, digital levels, and related equipment.
• Search for, locate, and tie existing monuments and property corners.
• Stake out improvements from plans and cut sheets, and check field work against project plans.
• Establish and maintain horizontal and vertical control on project sites.
• Collect, organize, and transfer field data to the office, keeping accurate field notes and as-built records.
• Maintain, calibrate, and care for survey equipment and vehicles.
• Coordinate with the licensed surveyor, engineers, contractors, and superintendents on site.
• Train and mentor crew members on field procedures and safety.
• Follow all company safety procedures and jobsite regulations.

Requirements

• 3+ years of field land surveying experience, including at least 1 year as a Party Chief or crew lead, preferably in Southern California.
• Hands-on experience with boundary, topographic, and construction staking surveys.
• Proficiency with Total Station, GPS/GNSS, and data collectors (e.g., Trimble, Carlson, Leica, Topcon).
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, grading plans, and cut sheets.
• Valid California driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying conditions, walk uneven terrain, and travel to project sites across Southern California.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Preferred

• LSIT certification or working toward licensure (not required).
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D or field-to-finish workflows.
• Experience with drone/UAV surveying or 3D laser scanning.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.

Work Environment
On-site, field-based role in Southern California. Regular travel to project sites is required (day trips are common; occasional overnight travel is possible).

• Travel-related: per diem or expense reimbursement for overnight trips; flexible scheduling for field work.