Survey Crew Chief - Woodbridge @ Actalent

Survey Party Chief

Lead Field Operations | Survey

We're seeking a Survey Crew Chief to lead field crews and play a key role in delivering high-quality land surveying projects across a variety of sectors. This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of field operations, mentor crews, and work with modern survey technology on topographic, boundary, ALTA, construction stakeout, and as-built surveys.We're looking for an experienced Party Chief, but we're also open to strong Instrument Operators or Survey Technicians who have demonstrated leadership potential and are ready to step into a crew leadership role.

What You'll Do

• Lead and direct survey field crews on a daily basis, ensuring work is completed safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Coordinate closely with survey leadership and office staff to maintain project schedules and meet client deadlines.
• Provide field teams with project priorities, task assignments, and daily direction.
• Perform and oversee field data collection, measurements, control establishment, and documentation.
• Manage survey schedules, monitor progress, and communicate project status updates to internal stakeholders.
• Conduct site safety assessments and ensure all safety procedures and requirements are followed.
• Perform calculations involving traverses, coordinates, control points, quantities, and boundaries.
• Research and interpret deeds, plats, easements, right-of-way documents, plans, and historical survey records.
• Execute and support a wide range of surveys, including boundary, topographic, ALTA, construction stakeout, and as-built surveys.
• Ensure accurate collection, processing, and transfer of field data, notes, and photographs.
• Maintain and operate survey equipment, ensuring proper calibration and functionality.
• Represent the company professionally while interacting with clients, contractors, and project stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years of land surveying experience, with crew leadership experience preferred.
• Experience performing topographic, boundary, ALTA, as-built, and construction stakeout surveys.
• Strong understanding of field calculations, traverses, coordinate geometry, and control networks.
• Proficiency with modern survey equipment, including Leica, Trimble, Topcon, Total Stations, and GPS systems.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, plats, deeds, easements, and right-of-way documents.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites.

Ideal Backgrounds

• Current Survey Party Chiefs seeking greater responsibility or advancement opportunities.
• Senior Instrument Operators ready to lead their own crew.
• Survey Technicians looking to transition into a leadership role with mentorship and growth potential.

Why Join?

• Opportunity to lead projects and field operations rather than simply collect data.
• Exposure to diverse projects across land development, transportation, utility, and construction sectors.
• Work with industry-leading survey technologies, including GNSS, GPS, robotic total stations, and advanced field software.
• Clear path for professional growth and long-term career advancement.
• Competitive compensation, bonus opportunities, comprehensive benefits, and a flexible work environment.
• Direct collaboration with experienced survey leadership in a team-focused culture.

Work Environment

This is a primarily field-based role with daily reporting to the Woodbridge office before traveling to project sites. You'll work outdoors in a variety of terrain and conditions while utilizing modern survey equipment and technology. The position offers significant autonomy in the field, strong team support, and the opportunity to make a direct impact on project success. Excellent opportunity for an established Party Chief or a high-performing Instrument Operator or Surveyor ready to take the next step into crew leadership.

Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of WOODBRIDGE, VA.

Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $52000.00 - $80000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision

Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in WOODBRIDGE,VA.About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.