Survey Party Chief

The Survey Party Chief leads field survey crews and oversees a wide range of land surveying projects, including boundary, topographic, construction, and ALTA/ACSM Land Title surveys. This role combines hands-on field work, crew leadership, technical calculations, and equipment oversight to deliver accurate survey data safely and efficiently. The position is ideal for an experienced land surveyor who enjoys field-based work, mentoring others, and traveling to diverse project sites.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and lead survey crews in performing boundary surveys, topographic surveys, construction surveys, ALTA/ACSM Land Title surveys, and other survey types in a professional and efficient manner.
• Research and analyze available information and data affecting proposed survey projects from a variety of sources, and organize the required field work to obtain additional necessary information.
• Review and understand the full scope of work before going to each work site to ensure proper planning, staffing, and equipment needs.
• Recognize and address problems that arise in the field, promptly notify the office, and clearly report conflicting issues as they occur.
• Debrief the Field Coordinator and office staff at the end of each workday, providing detailed updates on work completed, project status, and any issues encountered.
• Utilize robotic instruments, GPS equipment, and other survey tools to perform field work accurately and efficiently.
• Help train new field staff on the operation, use, and basic maintenance of survey equipment, including robotic instruments, GPS, and related tools.
• Assist in the maintenance, inventory, and organization of the field truck, survey equipment, and field supplies to ensure readiness for upcoming projects.
• Train survey crew members in technical survey methods, safety practices, and proper field techniques and procedures.
• Perform survey calculations before, during, and after survey projects to support accurate data collection and deliverables.
• Direct and implement appropriate work-site safety and traffic control procedures to protect survey crews and the public.
• Assign daily tasks and responsibilities to crew members and provide feedback on performance and work quality.
• Keep accurate notes, sketches, and records of work performed and data collected, using both manual logs and computer-based systems.
• Conduct land surveys on roads, bridges, and building sites, working comfortably in active transportation and construction environments.
• Maintain accurate field records and calculations both manually and electronically to support project documentation and deliverables.
• Travel extensively during the workweek to project sites throughout Virginia and surrounding states, and work overtime as needed to meet project schedules.

• At least 3 years of land surveying experience, including topographic surveys, boundary surveys, ALTA surveys, as-builts, and construction surveying.
• Hands-on experience using surveying equipment such as Trimble instruments, total stations, data collectors, Leica equipment, and magnetic locators.
• Proficiency in performing survey calculations and maintaining accurate field records in both manual and electronic formats.
• Experience conducting land surveys of roads, bridges, and building sites, with comfort working in these environments.
• Strong ability to lead and supervise survey crews in the field, including assigning tasks and monitoring performance.
• Ability to recognize and resolve field-related issues and communicate conflicts or discrepancies to office staff promptly.
• Capability to train crew members in technical survey methods, equipment use, and safety procedures.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive to and between project sites.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively during the workweek and work overtime as required.
• Ability to pass required drug and background checks.

• Experience working with ALTA/ACSM Land Title surveys and other specialized survey types.
• Familiarity with GPS and robotic survey systems and related software.
• Strong organizational skills for managing equipment inventory, field supplies, and vehicle readiness.
• Effective communication skills for daily debriefs with coordinators and office staff and for documenting project status.
• Attention to detail in keeping precise notes, sketches, and records for all survey work performed.
• Comfort with unexpected travel assignments, including temporary workshare projects for other offices that may require weekend stays.
• Interest in mentoring and developing junior field staff in both technical and safety practices.

This role is primarily field-based and requires extensive travel during the workweek, with most weekends spent at home. The Survey Party Chief works outdoors on a wide range of project sites, including roads, bridges, and building sites, often in active transportation and construction environments. The position involves regular use of advanced surveying technologies and equipment such as Trimble systems, total stations, GPS units, data collectors, Leica instruments, and magnetic locators. Workshare across offices may lead to temporary assignments on other teams’ projects, sometimes with short notice and occasional weekend stays. Overtime may be necessary to meet project deadlines. The organization offers a supportive, employee-centric culture with the feel of a close-knit team within a larger company. Team members enjoy regular company events and gatherings, including activities such as golf tournaments, cook-off competitions, and holiday celebrations, with travel provided for staff from other offices when needed. Benefits include free vision, dental, and life insurance; significant employer contribution toward healthcare coverage; an employer contribution to a Health Savings Account; a 401(k) plan with employer match; a yearly boot allowance through a dedicated account to cover steel-toed boots; and a take-home vehicle benefit for qualified crew chiefs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Virginia Beach, VA.

The pay range for this position is $56160.00 - $66560.00/yr.

-Free Vision, dental, and life insurance -80% of health care insurance covered -$900 contribution to HSA -4% 401k match

This is a fully onsite position in Virginia Beach,VA.

This 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.

Salary : $56,160 - $66,560