Surveyors make a living making complex construction site layouts, measuring topography or updating the national cadastre. They must juggle the demands of math, physical environment, weather and the capabilities of their instruments.
They must also understand the legal basis for land boundary opinions, including statute and common law. Students will learn to research, analyze and interpret land surveys, legal descriptions, GIS maps, records of property ownership and other relevant data.
Techniques
Surveyors are required to understand and master a wide range of traditional and modern geodetic and cartographic techniques, including digital mapping, photogrammetry, geodesy, as well as the more traditionally known property surveys. The profession’s responsibilities also include the re-establishment of cadastral surveys and land boundaries based on documents of record and historical evidence; and the creation, certification (as required by law or local ordinance) and registration of subdivision plats and maps, registered land surveys, construction grading plans, judicial surveys and space delineation.
These are not tasks to be undertaken lightly. Depending on the weather, terrain and climate conditions, the length of survey lines to be measured, the number of points and data to be collected and then interpreted, and a myriad of other considerations, the work becomes a major undertaking that requires a considerable amount of physical and mental effort and skill.
A number of conventional instruments are used in the surveying process, such as a theodolite to measure horizontal and vertical angles, a level to measure height differences, a tape measure to measure distances and a GPS device to provide location coordinates. All have specific capabilities and, equally important, limitations. The use of these and other specialized equipment, along with appropriate software programs for interpreting and modeling the data, makes up the art and science of professional government surveying — something Castle Surveys Limited specializes in.
The surveyor must be able to read and understand the information gathered in the field, communicate that information orally and in writing, and present technical information in an easy-to-understand format. This is a requirement at all levels of surveying, from the individual practicing property surveying to the geospatial professionals employed by a large corporation, to the individual conducting research and planning studies on behalf of a public agency or private developer.
Lastly, the surveyor must be able to maintain a working relationship with local, county and state officials as well as with other surveying professionals in order to exchange planning information or resolve technical or controversial problems. This may involve negotiating contracts and other related issues as well as meeting with public representatives in support of surveying initiatives in accordance with the surveyor’s state laws and regulations.
Methods
Surveyors must use a variety of methods to perform their work. Using mathematics, technology and history, surveyors are able to create maps that make sense of the world around them. Whether it’s for property ownership or construction, the map must be accurate. To achieve that, surveyors must use various methods such as GPS technology and traditional tools.
In most jurisdictions, a surveyor is required to follow strict ethical standards and meet specific qualifications. Surveyors must be well-rounded, educated and experienced. They must also have a valid license. Depending on the jurisdiction, there are different ways to obtain a license. For example, some jurisdictions require a bachelor’s degree in a related field, while others accept a high school diploma or equivalent.
Despite the fact that many aspects of surveying have been automated and some tasks can be performed by drones, human surveyors still provide valuable data. This is especially true for more complex surveys. For instance, a drone is unable to accurately measure the ground surface and determine topographic characteristics. Therefore, a skilled surveyor can still provide critical information to help infrastructure and utility systems be designed in an efficient manner.
The underlying foundation of all land surveying is the cadastral or boundary survey. This involves setting or re-establishing the boundary of a parcel, usually in a legal description. This process is a critical part of our country’s economic system and is often the subject of disputes. Cadastral surveys are heavily regulated and require continuing statutory qualification for surveyors.
Most jurisdictions also have some form of professional institution that represents local surveyors. These institutions typically endorse or license potential surveyors, set standards for accuracy, and maintain a geodetic network. They are an important part of the broader surveying profession because they ensure that all surveyors are properly qualified.
In addition to the aforementioned tasks, land surveyors provide data for other fields such as agriculture and natural resources. They also contribute to the planning and construction of infrastructure and utilities such as roads, bridges, railways and pipelines. This is a vital service that improves the quality of our lives and promotes sustainable development.
Equipment
Professional government surveyors use a wide range of equipment in the field, from traditional tools like total stations and prisms to sophisticated drones. These tools are necessary to gather data accurately and efficiently.
A surveyor’s responsibilities are not limited to collecting information, but also include preparing and presenting reports. In this role, they prepare clear and concise documents that are suited to the audience and communicate survey results effectively. They may also be asked to testify in court and administrative hearings.
To complete the duties of their positions, professional government surveyors must understand state and federal regulations that dictate survey methods, standards and record keeping. They must also be familiar with engineering and surveying mathematical techniques such as coordinate geometry and trigonometry.
In addition to these skills, a government surveyor must be knowledgeable of the capabilities and limitations of the tools they use. This includes the ability to recognize when a tool is not providing accurate data. They must be able to assess the situation and make a change to improve the accuracy of their work.
A good surveyor is constantly looking for ways to increase their productivity. One way to do this is by leveraging the latest GPS technologies. Many modern GPS systems can collect data continuously and wirelessly share it with reference receivers, allowing for real-time centimeter-level accuracy and unprecedented productivity gains.
These same technologies can also be used to measure long distances more precisely than traditional chains and ropes. By utilizing electronic distance measurement (EDM) units, professional government surveyors can cut days or even weeks from a survey by measuring between points kilometers apart in one go.
Another way that surveys can be made more efficient is by using robotic total stations. These devices are designed to take the place of conventional surveying equipment by incorporating advanced technology like autonomous robots and laser scanning software to produce more precise measurements in less time. These tools are becoming increasingly popular among professionals who need to stay ahead of the competition.
Lastly, professional government surveyors must be skilled in the production of accurate topographic maps. This involves determining the natural and man-made features of a parcel of land such as streams, buildings, roads, and fences. These topographic maps are often required by a government agency or used by architects and engineers for planning site improvements and development. A good surveyor is able to quickly and efficiently locate these features, no matter how complex the terrain.
Training
The modern surveyor uses technology to acquire, record, process and reduce geospatial measurement data. Typically, this includes the use of GPS, total stations, photogrammetry, lidar and drone usage. Surveyors must also understand and be able to apply mathematical concepts, scientific principles, engineering principles, technical drawing and surveying techniques, as well as the ability to function as a team member in the workplace.
A number of different educational programs exist for aspiring surveyors to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be licensed. Most are associate degree programs, but some bachelor’s degrees exist as well. Generally, a surveying and mapping technician program prepares a student to be an entry-level professional land surveyor. Students are taught to perform field surveying tasks, including operating various types of equipment and preparing field reports and maps. Additionally, students learn to research deed records, write legal descriptions and communicate with clients.
Many surveying and mapping technology associate degree programs require students to take courses in mathematics, physics and earth science to ensure that they have the foundational knowledge needed for the career. Courses in computer science are also often required, as surveyors use computers to aid in their work. Students may also need to take courses in technical drawing and geography.
Once graduates have completed their associate degree programs, they must meet the specific requirements set by the individual states and jurisdictions in which they wish to practice. This typically requires passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) examinations and meeting a jurisdiction’s experience requirement to be licensed.
Most professional surveyors are employed by privately owned, small to mid-size surveying firms. Other employers include government agencies such as the federal Bureau of Land Management, state departments of transportation and the U.S. Geological Survey. Large corporations with large-scale construction projects, like oil and gas companies, are also potential employers.
While the specific duties of a surveyor vary slightly from job to job, most professionals share similar skill sets and abilities. The difference lies in the interpretation of information gathered and how it is used to determine property lines or make other important decisions.
