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Science & ResearchISCO 2165

Land surveyor

A land surveyor is a person who uses specialist equipment to establish the distances and the positions of points on construction works, and who turns those measurements into architectural drawings and building designs.

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Rate 5 of the 25 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

prepare surveying report

conduct land surveys

adjust engineering designs

perform scientific research

use technical drawing software

About land surveyor

The surveyor performs survey calculations from the readings taken, compares them against previous calculations, and works from surveying methods that decide how a measurement is taken and what its error is. Distances, levels and volumes of structures are established, and from them architectural drawings and building designs are produced.

The surveyor calibrates electronic instruments such as total stations and levels, since an error in an uncalibrated instrument carries into every drawing based on its readings.

Mathematics and engineering principles underpin the calculation, and cartography is used to present measured points on maps and plans. The surveyor ensures compliance with safety regulations during fieldwork, including on live construction sites, near roads and at heights. A calculation that does not agree with the previous one is checked again. Authorisation to carry out survey work independently is set by national rules on geodesy and cartography.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (25)

geomaticsgeomaticsThe scientific discipline that studies gathering, storing, and processing geographic information.surveyingsurveyingThe technique of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.cartographycartographyThe study of interpreting the elements depicted in maps, the measures and technical specifications.mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.surveying methodssurveying methodsThe fundamental principles and procedures of surveying applied to civil engineering, including remote sensing methods, and related equipment.topographytopographyGraphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.geodesygeodesyThe scientific discipline that combines applied mathematics and earth sciences in order to measure and represent the Earth. It studies phenomena such as gravitational fields, polar motion, and tides.civil engineeringcivil engineeringThe engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.mining, construction and civil engineering machinery productsmining, construction and civil engineering machinery productsThe offered mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.prepare surveying reportprepare surveying reportWrite a survey report containing information on property boundaries, the height and depth of the terrain, etc.ensure compliance with safety legislationensure compliance with safety legislationImplement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.conduct land surveysconduct land surveysConduct surveys to determine the location and features of natural and man-made structures, on surface level as well as underground and underwater. Operate electronic distance-measuring equipment and d...adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.document survey operationsdocument survey operationsComplete and file all required administrative, operational and technical documents related to a survey operation.perform surveying calculationsperform surveying calculationsPerform calculations and gather technical data in order to determine earth curvature corrections, traverse adjustments and closures, level runs, azimuths, marker placements, etc.calibrate electronic instrumentscalibrate electronic instrumentsCorrect and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular i...determine property boundariesdetermine property boundariesEstablish the boundaries of properties using surveying equipment.operate surveying instrumentsoperate surveying instrumentsOperate and adjust measuring instruments such as theodolites and prisms, and other electronic distance-measuring tools.adjust surveying equipmentadjust surveying equipmentEnsure accuracy of measurement by adjusting surveying equipment.compare survey computationscompare survey computationsDetermine the accuracy of data by comparing computations with applicable standards.approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
Optional (26) — show
photogrammetryphotogrammetryThe science of taking photographs from at least two different locations in order to measure land surfaces to be represented in a map, 3D model or physical model.urban planning lawurban planning lawInvestments and urban development agreements. Legislative developments regarding construction in terms of environmental, sustainability, social and financial matters.geographic information systemsgeographic information systemsThe tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).geologygeologySolid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.quantity surveyingquantity surveyingThe process of estimating, planning and monitoring the costs of construction for buildings within large construction projects. It means the efficient and effective utilisation of resources and include...geographygeographyThe scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth. It explores the soc...advise on mining environmental issuesadvise on mining environmental issuesAdvise engineers, surveyors, geotechnical staff and metallurgists on environmental protection and land rehabilitation related to mining activities.collect geological datacollect geological dataParticipate in the collection of geological data such as core logging, geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveying, digital data capture, etc.collect mapping datacollect mapping dataCollect and conserve mapping resources and mapping data.use geographic information systemsuse geographic information systemsWork with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).compile GIS-datacompile GIS-dataGather and organise GIS-data from sources such as databases and maps.develop geological databasesdevelop geological databasesDevelop geological databases in order to acquire and organise information.process collected survey dataprocess collected survey dataAnalyse and interpret survey data acquired from a wide variety of sources e.g. satellite surveys, aerial photography and laser measurement systems.study aerial photosstudy aerial photosUse aerial photos to study phenomena on Earth's surface.apply digital mappingapply digital mappingMake maps by formatting compiled data into a virtual image that gives a precise representation of a specific area.create thematic mapscreate thematic mapsUse various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.value propertiesvalue propertiesExamine and evaluate land and buildings in order to make valuations about their price.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.interpret geophysical datainterpret geophysical dataInterpret data of a geophysical nature: Earth's shape, its gravitational and magnetic fields, its structure and composition, and geophysical dynamics and their surface expression in plate tectonics.create GIS reportscreate GIS reportsUse relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.conduct research before surveyconduct research before surveyAcquire information about property and its boundaries before the survey by searching legal records, survey records, and land titles.advise architectsadvise architectsGive advise on design, safety issues, and cost reduction to architects during the pre-application phase.collect data using GPScollect data using GPSGather data in the field using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.create cadastral mapscreate cadastral mapsCreate maps using data gathered during surveying and measurement activities and specialised software which outline a region's constructions' and buildings' boundaries.design scientific equipmentdesign scientific equipmentDesign new equipment or adapt existing equipment to aid scientists in gathering and analysing data and samples.prepare geological map sectionsprepare geological map sectionsPrepare geological sections, a vertical view of the local geology.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a land surveyor do?

Land surveyors determine, by means of specialised equipment, the distances and positions of points at the surface of sites for construction purposes. They use measurements of the specific aspects of construction sites, such as electricity, distance measurements, and metal structure volumes to create architectural drawings and develop construction projects.

What skills does a land surveyor need?

A land surveyor needs 25 essential skills, including geomatics, surveying, engineering principles, cartography, mathematics.

Will AI replace land surveyor jobs?

The AI disruption score for land surveyor is 45/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: process collected survey data, perform surveying calculations, compare survey computations. Most resilient: surveying, conduct land surveys, calibrate electronic instruments.

Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills25

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