What are the responsibilities and job description for the Survey Manager position at Ames Construction?
Ames Construction has been building America for more than 60 years, and the people who work here are the reason we continue to succeed.
We are a full-service, heavy civil and industrial contractor building critical infrastructure, including highways, bridges, mines, dams, rail, and more. Our teams take on challenging projects that keep communities safe, supply chains moving, and the country connected.
At Ames, we are Fueled by Family and Driven by Ownership. That means we look out for one another, take pride in what we build, and take responsibility for our actions, our results, and the long-term health of the company.
Guided by our core values of People, Team, Our Bond, Persistence, and Vision, we do what we say we will do, push through challenges and deliver work we’re proud of.
When you join Ames, you’re joining a company built for long-term success — where skilled people, strong teams, and disciplined execution come together to build careers and a better future.
The Survey Manager / Party Chief serves as a critical technical and leadership bridge between design, construction, and field execution. This role is ideal for a hands‑on survey professional who is highly versatile, technically advanced, and comfortable leading survey operations from pre‑construction modeling through final as‑builts.
This position requires strong design modeling capability, deep experience converting plans to buildable models, and the leadership skills to manage field crews and subcontract surveyors while maintaining clear communication with owners, designers, and internal project teams.
Key Responsibilities
Survey Leadership & Operations
We are a full-service, heavy civil and industrial contractor building critical infrastructure, including highways, bridges, mines, dams, rail, and more. Our teams take on challenging projects that keep communities safe, supply chains moving, and the country connected.
At Ames, we are Fueled by Family and Driven by Ownership. That means we look out for one another, take pride in what we build, and take responsibility for our actions, our results, and the long-term health of the company.
Guided by our core values of People, Team, Our Bond, Persistence, and Vision, we do what we say we will do, push through challenges and deliver work we’re proud of.
When you join Ames, you’re joining a company built for long-term success — where skilled people, strong teams, and disciplined execution come together to build careers and a better future.
The Survey Manager / Party Chief serves as a critical technical and leadership bridge between design, construction, and field execution. This role is ideal for a hands‑on survey professional who is highly versatile, technically advanced, and comfortable leading survey operations from pre‑construction modeling through final as‑builts.
This position requires strong design modeling capability, deep experience converting plans to buildable models, and the leadership skills to manage field crews and subcontract surveyors while maintaining clear communication with owners, designers, and internal project teams.
Key Responsibilities
Survey Leadership & Operations
- Lead all survey activities on project
- Manage, mentor, and develop survey crews and subordinate surveyors
- Coordinate and oversee sub‑contracted surveyors and specialty survey services
- Establish survey control, layout, staking, and verification for earthwork, utilities, structures, and paving
- Ensure survey operations meet schedule, quality, and safety requirements
- Support progressive and traditional Design‑Build projects from concept through construction
- Develop and manage 3D models for:
- Earthwork
- Siteworks
- Linear roadway
- Machine control and automated grading
- Convert plans and specifications into constructible models
- Perform modeling updates as design evolves and field conditions change
- Collaborate closely with designers, engineers, and construction leadership to resolve conflicts
- Advanced user of Trimble Business Center (TBC)
- Proficient in:
- SiteWorks
- Earthworks
- GPS and robotic total station workflows
- Manage digital survey data, surfaces, alignments, quantities, and machine control files
- Maintain organized and accurate electronic survey records and files
- Serve as the primary survey point of contact for:
- Project Managers
- Superintendents
- Engineers
- Designers
- Owners and inspectors
- Communicate clearly across multiple parties to align design intent with field execution
- Participate in project meetings and provide clear survey updates, risks, and solutions
- Highly organized and detail‑oriented with strong task tracking skills
- Plan, track, and monitor survey tasks and deliverables across multiple work fronts
- Anticipate survey needs and proactively solve problems before they impact production
- Maintain strong documentation, QA/QC, and as‑built records
- Minimum 5 years of heavy highway / heavy civil survey experience
- Proven experience on Design‑Build projects
- Strong understanding of roadway, earthwork, and infrastructure construction
- Advanced proficiency in Trimble Business Center
- Experience with machine control modeling and field support
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage multiple priorities
- Exceptional communication skills — written and verbal
- Organized, self‑driven, and able to operate independently in fast‑paced environments
- Valid driver’s license and ability to work in active construction environments
- Survey Manager or Senior Party Chief background
- Experience supporting DOT highway projects
- Experience coordinating with designers during progressive design
- Ability to adapt between office modeling and field execution seamlessly