A survey rodman transports and sets up the equipment necessary to survey land and prepare a job site. The rodman also loads vehicles before heading out to the construction site. Your responsibilities in this career include marking the legal boundaries of a job site, cleaning out the area of trees or debris, and setting up the necessary measuring instrument. You hold the prism pole so the surveyor can determine elevation at different points along the site. Other duties include creating a map of the construction site and using GPS or other technology to help the surveyor.

A survey rodman needs to be familiar with construction sites and measuring tools. You also need strong math skills to be effective in this field. Other qualifications include the ability to use tools like GPS, magnetometers, gradiometers, and echo sanders. You should have a high school diploma, GED certificate, or equivalent work experience. To become a survey rodman, you need to be able to perform complex math, like calculating the curvature of the earth at a specific site. Many employers look for candidates with previous construction site experience and basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel or AutoCAD.

What Is the Career Path of a Survey Rodman

A survey rodman can work their way up on a construction site to earn a better title with more responsibilities and a higher salary. If you have extensive experience, you can become a site manager or surveyor who oversee the process of preparing a site for construction. Many states require surveyors to obtain a license, so a great way to move up quickly in your field is to study for your surveyor certification. You can also become a supervisor by demonstrating that you are good at working with customers and managing a team.

As a survey instrument operator, your duties are to assist a surveying or construction crew in assessing the topography and geography of a building site or parcel of land. As the instrument operator, your main responsibilities are to calibrate and operate a variety of specialized surveying equipment, such as a theodolite, transit and leveling devices, and GPS tools. You measure the boundary of the area as well as other features, taking notes as you survey. You collect data and give it to the builders, contractors, or survey leaders.

To become an instrument operator, you need a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Advanced training or qualifications with electronic and traditional survey equipment and knowledge on how to use global positioning tools are also essential for the job. Most instrument operators have one to two years of job experience under a more senior surveyor or operator before they work independently or with minimal supervision. You need strong technical skills and good verbal and written communication skills as well.

What Does a Survey Party Chief Do

As a survey party chief, your job is to oversee land surveys. In this role, you may plan out each study, check the characteristics of the ground and surrounding land, evaluate its potential as a construction site, and manage personnel on a survey team. A survey party chief may lead up to seven other people at a time, ensure measurements are accurate, research information, prepare maps, and present findings to relevant groups or individuals. This is primarily a management role, but many people in this position have experience in other positions and can cover other duties as needed.

The primary qualifications you need to become a survey party chief are a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and work experience. Most people in this industry have specialized degrees that focus on how to evaluate whether certain land or ground is appropriate for a construction site. Employers may accept candidates with a background in civil engineering or forestry. Many states require additional licensing for certain roles and may impose continuing education requirements to ensure you remain familiar with modern equipment, guidelines, and regulations. Fulfilling the duties of a survey party chief requires interpersonal skills, leadership skills, and sometimes a valid driver's license.