Surveyors/Cartographers

Working Schedule

• Surveyors and Cartographers usually work full-time. In some cases, overtime may be necessary if a task is urgent. Some may only work in part-time positions, as needed.

Typical Duties

Surveyors

• Research and review existing maps, surveys, deeds, land titles, lease contracts, and other pertinent documentation related to legal geographic boundaries
• Visit various locations where fieldwork is to be done
• Take note of important landmarks and other fixed reference points and features
• Use equipment to calculate accurate distance and angle measurements of various surfaces
• Direct other survey team members, as needed
• Create sketches and draft maps of locations, showing relevant topographical features and property lines
• Ascertain terrain heights, depths, shapes, dimensions, and other aspects necessary to determine property lines
• Record latitudes and longitudes of boundaries using GPS and other tools such as theodolites, transits, and levels
• Record survey data and use it to prepare reports, charts, maps, and other documents
• Produce written survey findings with visuals for clients, agencies, or in some cases legal professionals
• Work with engineers and architects, as needed
• Calibrate and modify survey instrumentation 
• Take geodetic measurements to help assess geomorphic and topographic aspects 
• Provide sworn testimony in property dispute cases
• Plan out aerial survey projects including which equipment to use 
• Conduct surveys of bodies of water such as lakes and rivers
• Stay up to date on developments surveying/mapping technologies
• Use photogrammetric map and electronic data processing tools 

Cartographers

• Determine valid sources for collecting geographic data; establish criteria standards for data usage
• Gather geographic data from surveys, reports, aerial photos, satellite images, remote sensors, and existing maps or charts
• Filter data to ensure only the most current, relevant, and accurate information is used
• Examine legal documents listing or showing current property boundaries
• Create comprehensive databases
• Decide upon suitable map content, layout, sizes, colors, and other factors, based on employer’s needs
• Use suitable data and programs to make visual representations such as digital and graphic maps, charts, 3D models, tables, etc. 
• Reference important geographic features and details, including control points, hydrography, geodetic points, elevations, planimetric features, and topographic features
• Review final outputs for accuracy 
• Use precision stereoplotting tools and drafting instruments to note details on photos 
• Conduct site visits as needed to observe and verify accuracy of information 

Additional Responsibilities

• Update maps regularly using current data
• Train and supervise other team members, as needed
• Stay up to date on industry changes and technological advancements
• Attend professional organization events to share information and learn from others

Soft Skills

• Activities coordination 
• Analytical 
• Attention to detail
• Collaboration 
• Critical thinking
• Deductive and inductive reasoning
• Detail-oriented
• Impartial 
• Independent
• Monitoring 
• Normal color vision
• Objective
• Organized
• Patient
• Perceptive 
• Problem solving
• Reading comprehension 
• Strong communication skills
• Time management 
• Visualization 

Technical Skills

• Computer aided design (CAD) programs
• Data analysis software
• Database management systems
• Design software, blueprints, 3D models, technical plans
• Development environment software
• Enterprise resource planning 
• Geographic information system, such as ESRI ArcGIS
• Geospatial industry programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, C+, HTML/CSS, Swift, Java, C#, SQL, PHP, Rust, Lotlin, Ruby, TypeScript, Matlad, Go, etc.
• Google Earth, KMZ files, and lidar 
• Graphics/photo imaging programs
• Map creation software like CDA International’s Manifold System or ITT Visual Information Solutions
• Mobile location-based services software 
• Previous work in/familiarity with consulting engineers and/or surveyors
• Scientific software, such as Coordinate geometry COGO 
• Understanding of geography

• Architectural and engineering services
• Construction
• Governmental agencies
• Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
• Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 

The work of Surveyors and Cartographers is vital for many industries and accurate results are often critical. Precision is the name of the game and mistakes can be costly. Major land disputes can be resolved with accurate surveys, while inaccurate results can lead to expensive legal battles.

In addition, many companies make business decisions based on maps and other information supplied by Surveyors and Cartographers. Expectations run high and related sacrifices include reputational damage for the workers or even financial liability in some cases. This is why Surveyors may need business insurance. Another sacrifice is the need for frequent travel and outdoor work, sometimes during inclement weather conditions.

Surveyors and Cartographers must keep up with the significant changes that are revolutionizing their lines of work. Remote-control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones aren’t new to the world of surveying, but they are increasingly relied upon for their flexibility, ease of use, and ability to obtain data that would otherwise be much harder (if not impossible) to acquire!

But another disruptive technology — the cloud — has expanded capabilities in terms of gathering and managing large datasets, especially with the advent of the 5G mobile network. Speaking of mobile, mobile mapping systems are being used to scan all sorts of environments very quickly, cutting down survey times and leading to notable cost savings over the long term. 

Surveyors and Cartographers might have appreciated being outdoors and paying attention to the details of their surroundings. They may have enjoyed consulting maps for navigation or to learn information about various regions of the world. Surveyors were possibly more “hands-on” types who liked rolling up their sleeves to work with gadgets. Cartographers may have spent more time working with computers and data. Both were likely a bit obsessed with accuracy in whatever they were up to!