| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Construction and Projects |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Site Engineer |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 2 to 6 years in construction or land surveying |
Surveyor job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Surveyor
Department: Construction and Projects
Reports to: Site Engineer
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Surveyor measures and marks the land and works on a construction site with precision. Using a total station and level, they set out building lines, levels and grid points, carry out topographic and layout surveys, and check that construction follows the drawings in position and level. Accurate survey work is where every structure begins. A good Surveyor sets out works precisely, gives reliable levels and coordinates, checks executed work against the design, maintains and uses instruments correctly, and keeps clear survey records the site can trust.
Key responsibilities
- Set out building lines, grid points, levels and centre lines from the drawings.
- Carry out topographic, layout and level surveys using a total station and level.
- Mark excavation, foundation and structure positions accurately for construction.
- Check executed work against the drawings for position, alignment and level.
- Establish and maintain benchmarks and reference points on the site.
- Prepare survey data, level sheets and layout records for the site team.
- Calculate earthwork quantities and levels for cut and fill.
- Maintain and calibrate survey instruments and keep them in working order.
- Coordinate with the site engineer on setting out and level requirements.
- Report survey discrepancies between the drawing and the site.
Requirements
- Diploma in civil engineering or a survey certificate
- Command of total station and level instruments
- Knowledge of setting out and levels
- 2 to 6 years in construction or land surveying
KRAs and KPIs for a Surveyor
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Setting out accuracy | Works set out to the drawing with dimensional errors near zero |
| Level accuracy | Levels and benchmarks established and maintained accurately |
| Checking | Executed work checked against the design for position and level |
| Records | Survey data and level sheets kept accurate and available |
| Instrument care | Survey instruments maintained and calibrated for reliable readings |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Total station, Auto level, Theodolite, Measuring tapes, AutoCAD.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Surveyor, Site Engineer, Survey Supervisor
Interview questions for a Surveyor
- How do you set out a building grid from the drawings?
- How do you establish and check a benchmark on site?
- How do you check executed work for position and level?
- How do you calculate cut and fill quantities from levels?
- How do you keep a total station accurate and reliable?
- What do you do when your survey does not match the drawing?
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What does a Surveyor do on a construction site?
A Surveyor measures and marks the land and works on a construction site with precision. Using a total station and level, they set out building lines, levels and grid points, carry out layout and topographic surveys, and check that construction follows the drawings in position and level. They maintain benchmarks and keep reliable survey records.
What instruments does a Surveyor use?
A Surveyor uses a total station for setting out and layout, an auto level for levels, and sometimes a theodolite, along with measuring tapes and AutoCAD for drawings and calculations. Command of the total station and level is essential, and instruments must be maintained and calibrated so readings stay accurate and reliable.
What qualifications does a Surveyor need?
A diploma in civil engineering or a recognised survey certificate is the usual base, along with command of total station and level instruments and knowledge of setting out and levels. Employers value precision, careful record keeping, and the ability to check executed work against the design, since survey errors are costly to correct later.