About American Surveying
American Surveying, Inc. is an established Tampa-based land surveying firm that has served clients for more than 20 years. We perform surveying throughout Florida, with most of our work concentrated in Central Florida.
Our projects include boundary surveys, ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys, topographic surveys, as-built surveys, elevation-certificate fieldwork, and limited construction staking for commercial, residential, and real-estate clients.
We are expanding our field capacity and looking for an experienced Instrument Person who takes pride in accurate work, dependable attendance, and proper care of surveying equipment.
Position Summary
The Instrument Person works as part of a field crew under the direction of a Survey Party Chief and the supervision of a Florida-licensed Professional Surveyor and Mapper.
This position is responsible for setting up and operating surveying equipment, collecting accurate electronic field data, maintaining clear field documentation, and helping the crew complete assignments safely and efficiently.
Crews report to our Tampa office at the beginning of the workday and travel to job sites in company vehicles.
Responsibilities
- Set up and operate GNSS receivers, total stations, levels, electronic data collectors, and related field equipment.
- Collect accurate electronic field data and maintain complete, legible field notes.
- Assist with boundary, ALTA/NSPS, topographic, as-built, elevation, and limited construction-staking fieldwork.
- Search for and recover property corners, monuments, benchmarks, and other field evidence using metal detectors and appropriate hand tools.
- Hold and properly plumb prism poles, level rods, and GNSS poles.
- Read and follow plats, plans, deeds, sketches, field instructions, and survey control information.
- Identify and communicate missing, inconsistent, or questionable field information to the Party Chief.
- Transfer and organize field data for office processing.
- Prepare the survey vehicle with the equipment and supplies required for each assignment.
- Maintain, clean, charge, and safeguard surveying equipment and company property.
- Assist with routine truck and equipment inventory.
- Clear brush or other minor obstructions when necessary to establish lines of sight.
- Follow company safety procedures and the directions of the Party Chief.
- Perform other field-surveying duties consistent with the position.
ASI currently uses modern CHCNAV GNSS equipment and Android-based LandStar data collection, along with conventional total stations and levels. Experience with Trimble, Topcon, Spectra, Leica, Carlson, or comparable systems is transferable; training on ASI’s equipment will be provided.
Required Qualifications
- At least six months of professional land-surveying field experience as an Instrument Person, Instrument Operator, Survey Field Technician, or comparable position.
- Practical experience setting up and operating total stations, GNSS equipment, levels, and electronic data collectors.
- Ability to collect accurate measurements and follow established field procedures and coding standards.
- Basic surveying mathematics and the ability to read plans, plats, and field sketches.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accurate, complete field data.
- Dependable attendance, punctuality, and professional conduct.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a two-person field crew.
- Valid Florida driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to the company’s insurance provider.
- Ability to communicate clearly with the Party Chief and office personnel.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with boundary surveys, ALTA/NSPS surveys, topographic surveys, as-builts, elevation work, or construction staking.
- Familiarity with metes-and-bounds descriptions, sectional information, and common Florida monumentation.
- Experience with LandStar or other modern field-data-collection software.
- NSPS Certified Survey Technician certification, particularly CST Level I or II.
CST certification is not required. ASI supports professional development and offers pay incentives for recognized CST certification levels.
Schedule and Travel
- Full-time, typically Monday through Friday.
- Overtime may be required based on workload, project location, weather, or client deadlines.
- Occasional weekend work may be required.
- Projects are located throughout Florida, although most work is in Central Florida.
- Occasional overnight travel is required. Company lodging is arranged and paid for when overnight travel is necessary.
- This is an in-person field position and cannot be performed remotely.
Physical and Working Conditions
This position regularly requires working outdoors in Florida heat, humidity, rain, brush, insects, traffic-adjacent locations, construction areas, and uneven terrain.
The employee must be able to:
- Walk and stand for extended periods.
- Bend, kneel, climb, reach, push, pull, and use hand tools.
- Carry tripods, survey poles, stakes, equipment cases, and other field supplies.
- Regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Safely perform fieldwork near roadways, active job sites, vegetation, and other normal surveying hazards.
Compensation and Benefits
- $17.00–$22.00 per hour, based on experience and demonstrated field proficiency.
- Overtime pay when applicable.
- Paid holidays after 90 days.
- PTO eligibility:
- One week after six months.
- Two weeks after one year.
- Three weeks after five years.
- Professional-development assistance.
- CST certification pay incentives.
- Opportunity to develop toward increased field responsibility and a future Survey Party Chief position.
Please note that American Surveying does not currently offer medical, dental, vision, or retirement-plan benefits.
American Surveying, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, performance, and legitimate business requirements.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $17.00 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
- Land surveying: 1 year (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
