What is the Work of Surveyors?

If you have ever wondered what a surveyor does and what it would be like to work as a surveyor, there is a lot of information available. Surveyors measure and map the surface of the earth in order to establish legal boundaries for water, airspace and land.  Within the field, there are specialties that you might find interesting and decide to prepare for work in one of these.

WHAT A SURVEYOR DOES

Whether measuring construction sites or distance, directions and angles above and below the earth’s surface, or researching legal documents and maps, surveyors perform a variety of tasks in order to verify boundary lines. In addition to verifying boundaries, surveyors provide data about the surface of land such as contours, elevation, shape and dimension.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND TASKS 

Surveyors work outside in groups called a survey parties, often led by a party chief. In the field, measurements are taken using instruments that measure and record angles and distances. Work in the field also includes taking notes, making sketches and entering this information into a computer. In addition to spending many hours working outside, surveyors work in an office as well; analyzing data, searching records and preparing reports.

SPECIALTIES WITHIN THE FIELD

There are specialties within the field; geodetic surveyors use techniques such as satellite observations to measure even larger areas of the earth’s surface; Geophysical prospecting surveyors gather subsurface information; Marine, called hydrographic surveyors, survey water bodies to measure features such as water depth.

EDUCATION SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS       

If you are interested in becoming a surveyor, you can prepare by studying algebra, geometry, trigonometry, drafting and computer science.  A four-year degree is important but there are junior colleges that offer programs in surveying technology.  Each state also requires a surveyor to have a valid license in the state they work in.