According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles. | 97% |
| Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed. | 93% |
| Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents. | 92% |
| Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites. | 91% |
| Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed. | 90% |
| Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features. | 90% |
| Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys. | 89% |
| Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features. | 86% |
| Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain. | 86% |
| Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements. | 85% |
| Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments. | 84% |
| Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS). | 84% |
| Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps. | 81% |
| Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects. | 81% |
| Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation. | 80% |
| Testify as an expert witness in court cases on land survey issues, such as property boundaries. | 78% |
| Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy. | 78% |
| Develop criteria for survey methods and procedures. | 75% |
| Survey bodies of water to determine navigable channels and to secure data for construction of breakwaters, piers, and other marine structures. | 74% |
| Direct aerial surveys of specified geographical areas. | 70% |
| Conduct research in surveying and mapping methods, using knowledge of photogrammetric map compilation and electronic data processing. | 67% |
| Locate and mark sites selected for geophysical prospecting activities, such as efforts to locate petroleum or other mineral products. | 66% |
| Determine specifications for equipment to be used for aerial photography, as well as altitudes from which to photograph terrain. | 57% |
| Develop criteria for the design and modification of survey instruments. | 46% |
