Occupation
Surveying technician
Surveying technicians do the field and office work that supports a survey: operating instruments, holding and setting targets, recording measurements, and processing the data into drawings. They usually work in a small crew, outdoors, in whatever weather the schedule lands in. Progression often runs toward crew chief or licensed surveyor.
Also known as: Survey technician · Survey crew member · Instrument operator · Geomatics technician
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Occupation content
Part of Architecture, construction and infrastructure
A visual day in the work
What the work involves
Set up and operate total stations, GNSS rovers, levels, and data collectors under direction.
Locate existing markers and place stakes, hubs, and control points for construction setting out.
Record field measurements and notes accurately and check them before leaving the site.
Download and process field data and draft survey plans and topographic drawings in CAD.
Maintain, charge, and calibrate instruments and keep vehicles and field gear stocked.
Follow traffic-control and site-safety procedures when surveying on roads or active construction.
Entry-route stepper
How people commonly enter
A college certificate or diploma in survey technology, geomatics, or civil engineering technology.
An entry-level survey assistant or chainperson post learning instrument work on the job.
An apprenticeship or trainee technician route where an employer sponsors part-time technical study.
Transfer from construction or drafting with added survey instrument and CAD training.
Typical training: Certificate or college diploma
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Work-context map
Typical work context
- Outdoors
- Team based
- Involves travel
- Physically active
- Varied work
Outdoors · Team based · Involves travel · Physically active · Varied work
Related interests
- Realistic (hands-on)
- Conventional (organizing)
- Investigative (analytical)
Realistic (hands-on) · Conventional (organizing) · Investigative (analytical)
Related aptitude preparation
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Skills to practise
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Architecture, construction and infrastructure in Canada, not a figure for Surveying technician. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
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Architecture, construction and infrastructure: licensing
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