What Do Geodetic Surveyors Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Geodetic Surveyors measure large areas of the Earth’s surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources. They also calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth’s surface.

Other tasks include:

• Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.
• Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.
• Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.
• Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth’s surface.
• Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.
• Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.

We asked Geodetic Surveyors how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Geodetic Surveyors verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data. They analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.

A typical day for a Geodetic Surveyor will also include:

• Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.
• Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.
• Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth’s surface.
• Determine orientation of tracts of land, including position, boundaries, size, and shape, using theodolites, electronic distance-measuring equipment, satellite-based positioning equipment, land information systems, or other geodetic survey equipment.
• Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth’s surface.

We asked some Geodetic Surveyors a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	50% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	25% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	75% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	4% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	29% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Geodetic Surveyors also prepare progress or technical reports. They may also read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in technology, equipment, or systems.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Geodetic Surveyors Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects. They might also Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.

In addition, they Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth’s surface.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Determine orientation of tracts of land, including position, boundaries, size, and shape, using theodolites, electronic distance-measuring equipment, satellite-based positioning equipment, land information systems, or other geodetic survey equipment.

To some Geodetic Surveyors, it is also their responsibility to Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth’s surface.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Geodetic Surveyor, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/surveyors.htm

http://www.nsps.us.com/

http://www.ncees.org/

http://www.aagsmo.org/