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Surveying and Mapping Technicians Occupation Detailed Description

Surveying and Mapping Technicians career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Surveying and Mapping Technicians

The main tasks and work activities of Surveying and Mapping Technicians are to survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features, gather physical survey data, calculate geographic positions from survey data, operate computer systems. In general, for the Surveying and Mapping Technicians, critical Thinking, active Learning, reading Comprehension, mathematics and other 14 skills are required.
Surveying and Mapping Technicians Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Surveying and Mapping Technicians jobs. 8.64% of Surveying and Mapping Technicians have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 13.15% of Surveying and Mapping Technicians have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
8.64%
Post-Secondary Certificate
13.15%
Some College Courses
14.35%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
10.48%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
53.38%

Tasks and Work Activities of Surveying and Mapping Technicians

  • Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, and electronic distance-measuring equipment.
  • Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.
  • Run rods for benches and cross-section elevations.
  • Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
  • Record survey measurements and descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, and inked tracings.
  • Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures and adjustments, azimuths, level runs, and placement of markers.
  • Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment and other surveying instruments.
  • Search for section corners, property irons, and survey points.
  • Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.
  • Direct and supervise work of subordinate members of surveying parties.
  • Set out and recover stakes, marks, and other monumentation.
  • Lay out grids, and determine horizontal and vertical controls.
  • Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.
  • Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, and other relevant information.
  • Prepare topographic and contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.
  • Maintain equipment and vehicles used by surveying crews.
  • Place and hold measuring tapes when electronic distance-measuring equipment is not used.
  • Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.
  • Perform manual labor, such as cutting brush for lines, carrying stakes, rebar, and other heavy items, and stacking rods.
  • Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentProviding documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features.
  • Gather physical survey data.
  • Calculate geographic positions from survey data.
  • Operate computer systems.
  • Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
  • Verify mathematical calculations.
  • Create maps.
  • Maintain mechanical equipment.
  • Assist engineers or scientists with research.
  • Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
  • Monitor processes for compliance with standards.
  • Create graphical representations of structures or landscapes.
  • Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
  • Document technical design details.
  • Explain project details to the general public.
  • Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information.
  • Develop software or computer applications.

Skills and Abilities for Surveying and Mapping Technicians

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Laser measuring systemse.g. 3D laser scanning systems
  • Measuring tablese.g. Alidades
  • Levelse.g. Automatic optical pendulum leveling systems
  • Axese.g. Axes
  • Barometerse.g. Barometers
  • Power sawse.g. Chain saws
  • Clinometerse.g. Clinometers
  • Global positioning system GPS receivere.g. Community base station global positioning systems GPS
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Digital camerase.g. Digital cameras
  • Distance meterse.g. Distance meters
  • Sonarse.g. Echosounders
  • Levelse.g. Electronic digital/bar-code leveling systems
  • Distance meterse.g. Electronic distance measuring devices
  • Distance meterse.g. Electrotapes
  • Scalese.g. Engineering scales
  • Extensometerse.g. Extensometers
  • Sonarse.g. Fathometer sonar equipment
  • All terrain vehicles tracked or wheelede.g. Four wheel drive 4WD vehicles
  • Levelse.g. Geodetic leveling rods
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • GeographyKnowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Law and GovernmentKnowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.