What Are the Different Types of Land Surveyor Jobs?

There are a number of career opportunities which fall within the overall description of land surveyor jobs. General surveyors take measurements which are used to determine property lines and other types of boundaries for record-keeping and legal purposes. When the nature of the work involves taking measurements over a large area of the planet, a geodesic surveyor would be given the assignment. Some surveys are conducted in water and a hydrographic surveyor is the right person for that type of work.

General land surveyors are responsible for taking detailed measurements of a specific area. The work involves making detailed observations and recording them accurately. The data collected by people working in land surveyor jobs may be used to make maps, determine property division lines, or to provide legal descriptions when severing a large piece of property into one or more individual lots.

A person working as a senior land surveyor is responsible for supervising a work team who has been sent to collect measurements from a site. The person performing this function will have a number of years of work experience. These land surveyor jobs involve ensuring that the other team members are using the equipment correctly and that they are noting the measurements on paper or into a computer program accurately and completely.

The work of geodesic surveyors involves taking measurements over a large area. They use tools like satellite imaging systems to take measurements and mark precise locations onto a map. A person doing this type of work must be comfortable using complex mathematical formulas to make calculations. These land surveyor jobs require the worker to track an area larger than what he or she can personally observe.

Another career in the general field of land surveyor jobs is that of hydrographic surveyor. This work involves using tools and techniques to map the bottom of a body of water. These specialized surveyors may be asked to work on a portion of the ocean, a lake or river.

Hydrographic surveyors may be involved in mapping these watery areas to help determine where telecommunications cables should be located. Their work also helps scientists to track currents in the body of water. Someone who is working in this type of land surveyor job could be employed by a consulting company or a research firm. Private companies in the construction or mining industries may also hire people for these types of land surveyor jobs.