What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Instrument Operator / Assistant Party Chief position at Spotlock?
Senior Instrument Operator / Assistant Party Chief
Construction Surveying | Field-Focused | Growth-Oriented Role
Location: Newtown, PA (projects throughout Eastern PA, New Jersey, and Delaware – typically within a 1.5-hour radius)
About the Company
We are a well-established, employee-owned construction firm generating approximately $120M annually, with a strong presence in bridge, transit, marine, and heavy civil construction. Our surveying group is a critical part of project execution, supporting complex foundation work, specialty construction, and marine operations.
More than half of our full-time employees are owners, and our culture is built around teamwork, accountability, and shared success. Survey crews work closely with project managers and construction teams to plan work efficiently and support one another in the field.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Instrument Operator / Assistant Party Chief to serve as a key bridge role within our survey team. This position sits between our experienced Party Chiefs and a developing Apprentice, providing critical field support while also handling independent responsibilities.
This role is ideal for an experienced Instrument Operator or junior Party Chief who enjoys being in the field, wants increased responsibility, and values working as part of a tight-knit, construction-focused team.
Current Team Structure
- Two highly experienced Party Chiefs leading complex construction survey work
- One Apprentice / Instrument Operator (early-career)
This role acts as a go-to support resource for Party Chiefs while providing additional field capacity
Key Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain survey instruments (total stations, GNSS, levels, etc.)
- Support Party Chiefs on larger and more complex construction projects
- Independently handle simpler monitoring, layout, and as-built tasks as assigned
- Serve as a reliable second-in-command on major jobs
- Assist with job setup, control, and verification in the field
- Communicate effectively with Party Chiefs, Project Managers, and construction crews
- Help mentor and support the Apprentice as needed
- Ensure accuracy, safety, and efficiency on active job sites
Ideal Candidate Profile
Experience:
- 3 years of construction surveying experience preferred
- Strong background as an Instrument Operator, with exposure to layout and monitoring
- Experience working on bridge, transit, marine, or heavy civil projects is a plus
Skills & Traits:
- Comfortable working independently on straightforward assignments
- Confident supporting Party Chiefs on technically demanding work
- Strong understanding of construction workflows and jobsite coordination
- Reliable, detail-oriented, and safety-conscious
- Team-first mindset with a willingness to step in where needed
Why This Role Stands Out
- Clear step-up role without full Party Chief pressure
- Mix of independent responsibility and team-based fieldwork
- Opportunity to learn from highly experienced Party Chiefs
- Exposure to complex, high-profile construction projects
- Stable workload with multiple active projects
- Strong internal support and collaboration
Ownership & Compensation Highlights
- Employee-Owned company
- Opportunity to participate in ownership after a qualifying period via a $10K buy-in funded through payroll contributions
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Long-term financial upside tied to company performance
Work Environment & Culture
- Field-based role with consistent local/regional work
- Projects typically within 1.5 hours of the Newtown, PA office
- Collaborative, in-person culture (not a remote role)
- Leadership prioritizes planning jobs efficiently and keeping work close to employees’ homes when possible
Growth Path
This role offers a clear path for advancement, including:
- Senior Instrument Operator → Party Chief
- Support toward long-term surveying career development for motivated individuals
If you are an experienced Instrument Operator looking for more responsibility, autonomy, and a long-term home within an employee-owned construction firm, this role offers stability, growth, and challenging field work.
Salary : $120