How to become a Surveying Technician
Surveying technicians collect and analyse information and develop plans for surveyors and related professionals. They provide the basic information required for land development and redevelopment, including such activities as road-building, construction projects and subdivision of land.
Personal requirements for a Surveying Technician
- Normal colour vision
- Enjoy working with technology
- Good with numbers
- Aptitude for working with computers
- Able to supervise small teams of workers
- Able to work neatly and accurately
- Able to work as part of a team.
Duties & Tasks of a Surveying Technician
Surveying technicians may perform the following tasks:
- Collect and analyse survey data, source maps, photographs, computer records and other information
- Take measurements and make observations from aerial photographs
- Take measurements associated with the management of natural resources and mining activities
- Draw up plans by recording information, making calculations and plotting information into the required format
- This is done either by hand or on a computer using a computer-aided design (CAD) programme
- Make maps showing features and associated information
- Set out marks to locate construction activities
- Store data in geographic information systems (GIS) and undertake activities such as enquiries, reports and plot production
- Operate and manage land information computer systems.
Working conditions for a Surveying Technician
They work indoors and outdoors and may be required to travel.
Specializations
Surveying technicians may specialise in surveying, survey drafting, land information, photogrammetry, remote sensing, hydrographic surveying, mining surveying, land development, spatial or geographic information systems or engineering and construction surveying.
