Survey Party Chief

Lead Challenging Field Surveys. Run Your Crew. Do Interesting Work.

Build on your experience as a Survey Party Chief. At Prairie Engineers, you'll lead field crews on challenging assignments, apply practical judgment in the field, and deliver accurate, high-quality surveys using modern equipment.

Prairie Engineers, P.C., recognized as one of Zweig Group's Best Firms to Work For in each of the past five years, is seeking an experienced Survey Party Chief for our expanding San Antonio-area team. You'll collaborate with licensed surveyors, engineers, and geospatial professionals on challenging state and federal projects throughout Texas and across the country.

From boundary and topographic surveys to geodetic control, hydrography, LiDAR, and sUAS mapping, you'll lead field operations using modern technologies and proven practices. This full-time position combines extensive fieldwork and travel with office assignments involving survey calculations, data processing, and preparation of professional survey deliverables. You'll help shape Prairie's growing Texas surveying practice while advancing your leadership career.

What You'll Do

Lead field crews performing boundary, topographic, geodetic control, hydrographic, and other specialized surveys.

Plan and coordinate daily assignments, crew resources, and efficient field operations.

Oversee GNSS receivers, robotic total stations, and electronic field data collection.

Maintain field data accuracy, completeness, and documentation while leading safe, quality-focused work.

Perform survey calculations and data processing; support plats, plans, and other deliverables.

Train and mentor crew members and help establish consistent field practices.

Coordinate with project managers, licensed surveyors, and clients to resolve field challenges and meet schedules.

What You'll Bring

Experience: At least two years leading a survey party or field crew, with proficiency in GNSS, robotic total stations, and electronic data collection.

Education: No college degree required. Field leadership experience, technical proficiency, and sound judgment matter most.

Travel & Fieldwork: Overnight travel for approximately 80% of assignments (most 10 days or less), including remote field sites. Lodging and per diem provided.

Driving Requirements: Valid driver's license and insurable driving record.

How You Align

People-Focused: You value relationships and team growth and will help build a respectful team where everyone can contribute and develop.

Can-Do Attitude: You approach field challenges with initiative, practical problem-solving skills, and a commitment to effective solutions.

Responsive: You communicate proactively with crews, project managers, and clients; flag issues early and follow through.

Experience That Sets You Apart

Preferred: Experience with field-to-finish work, federal projects, or geodetic control; Surveyor-in-Training (SIT) or Certified Survey Technician (CST) credentials, or progress toward RPLS licensure.

Compensation

Base salary: $60,000–$90,000 per year, plus premium overtime, based on experience, credentials, and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities.

An Opportunity to Lead and Grow

At Prairie Engineers, you'll do more than just show up and collect data. We're looking for a Party Chief who takes ownership of the field work, exercises sound judgment, and delivers accurate results. You'll lead your crew effectively, train people who want to learn, and contribute to safe, efficient project execution.

As our Texas practice grows, we anticipate opportunities for proven leaders to assume greater responsibilities in field operations, crew supervision, and project coordination. Whether you want to advance in field leadership or pursue Texas RPLS licensure, Prairie offers opportunities to build your expertise and career.

Explore Texas and Beyond

Extensive travel is part of this position, with overnight travel on approximately 80% of work assignments. Most deployments last 10 days or less, with company-provided lodging and per diem. Projects include significant work in South Texas and along the Texas–Mexico border, plus federal assignments nationwide. Expect remote locations, varied terrain and weather, long field days, and occasional short-notice mobilization, balanced with office work to process survey data and prepare deliverables.

Why Prairie Engineers?

Shape our Texas operations: Join our San Antonio-area team at an early stage, help establish field practices, and develop crew members. You'll help build a team, not simply fill a position.

A strong team behind you: Prairie has 12 licensed Professional Land Surveyors companywide, including three Texas RPLSs—one based in San Antonio. You'll also work with experienced Survey Party Chiefs, Survey Technicians, CADD Technicians, Hydrographers, sUAS pilots, Engineers, Photogrammetrists, and LiDAR specialists.

Projects beyond routine fieldwork: Complex USACE and other federal assignments involving boundary and geodetic control, hydrography, LiDAR, and sUAS mapping.

Multiple paths for advancement: Develop your career in field operations leadership or pursue professional licensure with RPLS mentorship, eligible training and enrollment fees, related travel, and paid time for approved classes and exams.

People-first culture: Join a collaborative organization where initiative is encouraged and employees support one another.

Award-winning work: Prairie was named the 2025 Society of American Military Engineers Small Business of the Year.

Competitive benefits: An employee health plan option with fully employer-paid premiums for employee coverage and an employer-funded HRA; 401(k) with 3% employer contribution once eligible; paid holidays; four weeks (160 hours) of annual paid time off for eligible employees; and premium paid overtime.

If you're excited about becoming a professional surveyor and ready to learn, travel, and take on challenging work, we'd love to hear from you! Submit your resume and a brief introductory letter describing your interest in surveying and your career goals on the Careers page of our website at www.prairieengineers.com.

All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or any other legally protected status. Candidates must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Pay: $60,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000 - $90,000