Survey Instrument Operator
Actalent
Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Posting ID: JP-005959496
Job Description
The Survey Instrument Operator supports a wide range of land surveying assignments for roads, bridges, and building sites. This role assists and, when needed, acts in place of the Survey Party Chief to perform construction stakeout, boundary surveys, and topographic surveys. The Survey Instrument Operator sets and re-establishes lines, recovers property corners, establishes control points, and operates a variety of survey instruments to ensure accurate and reliable survey data for land development and construction projects.
Responsibilities
- Assist the Survey Party Chief in conducting land surveys for roads, bridges, and building sites.
- Establish and re-establish lines for construction stakeout surveys, easements, and property lines.
- Recover property corners and set traverse control points for boundary surveys.
- Set, mark, and verify stakes for construction stakeout projects to guide field construction activities.
- Direct the survey party in the absence of the Survey Party Chief and when acting on their behalf.
- Set up, operate, and properly adjust survey equipment, including data collectors, levels, and GPS units.
- Perform all aspects of stakeout and location surveys using applicable survey equipment and methods.
- Conduct topographic and land development surveys as required by project needs.
- Apply basic surveying principles and computations to solve field and office survey problems.
- Use basic calculators to make accurate arithmetic computations and record results legibly.
- Conduct research and evaluate survey data, including field notes, maps, and related documentation.
- Understand and interpret legal descriptions, engineering plans, maps, and field data to support survey activities.
- Follow relevant job-site and traffic control safety rules while working in the field.
- Care for, maintain, and properly handle surveying instruments and equipment.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and collaborate as an active member of the survey team.
- Follow directions from supervisors and adhere to project procedures and standards.
- Experience in construction and land surveying, including stakeout and boundary surveys.
- Ability to set up, operate, and correctly adjust survey equipment such as data collectors, levels, and GPS units.
- Basic math competency and the ability to use a basic calculator to perform accurate arithmetic computations.
- Ability to record survey results legibly and accurately.
- Knowledge of survey computations applicable to construction and land surveys.
- Familiarity with basic nomenclature and symbols of drafting.
- Knowledge of surveying instruments, their use, care, and maintenance.
- Understanding of the principles and practices of land surveying.
- Ability to understand and interpret legal descriptions, engineering plans, maps, and field data.
- Ability to conduct research and evaluate survey data.
- Ability to apply basic surveying principles to solve practical field and office problems.
- Ability to follow directions and work effectively as part of a team.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Willingness and ability to learn survey computer programs used for data collection and survey computations.
- Knowledge of state laws regarding the establishment of property lines and survey procedures.
- Familiarity with relevant job-site and traffic control safety rules.
- Experience with GPS-based surveys and topographic surveys.
- Experience supporting land development projects.
- Ability to handle frequent and sometimes heavy travel requirements.
This role is field-focused and requires extensive travel throughout Virginia and surrounding states, including heavy travel during the week to Cherry Point, North Carolina. Lodging is provided during out-of-town assignments, and per diem is available in accordance with company policy. The position may require overtime as project demands arise. Work is primarily outdoors on active job sites such as roadways, bridge projects, and building sites, where adherence to job-site and traffic control safety rules is essential. The environment involves regular use of survey equipment, including data collectors, levels, GPS units, and related instruments. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes free vision, dental, and life insurance, 80% of health care insurance costs covered, a contribution to a health savings account, and a 4% 401(k) match, providing strong support for both health and retirement needs.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Virginia Beach, VA.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $36920.00 - $41600.00/yr.
-Free Vision, dental, and life insurance -80% of health care insurance covered -$900 contribution to HSA -4% 401k match
Workplace TypeThis is a fully remote position.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Apr 28, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
- Hiring diverse talent
- Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
- Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
- Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.
Contact Information
Email: cbrick@actalentservices.com
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