Land Surveyor

Job Role: Land surveyors measure and map land around rail projects and give advice to architects, engineers and developers.

Job insights

Skills required to be a Land Surveyor

  • Analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Eye for detail
  • Strong communication skills
  • Ability to assess and plan
  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to work well in a team
  • Safety awareness

Job role

Interpret and evaluate technical information, Instruct and coordinate staff, Administrative tasks, Identify and manage risks

Female land surveyor working on rail tunnel project.
Overview

The role

Rail Land Surveyors measure terrain and design maps using specialised technology and data from aerial photography and digital sources.

Tasks include:

• supervising and coordinating the work of cartographic technicians
• compiling and evaluating data
• preparing site plans and survey reports
• advising architects and other professionals about surrounding terrain prior to and during development.
Female land surveyor working on rail tunnel project.
Skills required

Skills required to be a Land Surveyor

  • Good analytical and mathematical skills
  • A keen eye for detail
  • Organisational skills
  • Good communication

 

Entry pathways

Previous experience

Land Surveyors often come from a career:

  • in the construction, resources or defence sectors
  • as an Engineering Technician or Civil Engineering Draftsperson.

 

Minimum requirements 

Surveying has different study pathways through vocational education and higher education.

CPP41721 - Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services is generally the minimum requirement to be a Survey Assistant. In some cases  a CPP30221 - Certificate III  may be enough for this role.

Further experience and a Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Surveying can help you advance or move into the role of a Survey Technician.

A bachelor degree in surveying typically leads to a role as a Graduate Surveyor. If you’re entering the surveying profession in Queensland, there are a few different approaches you can take. You can find out more about them on the A life Without Limits surveying career and study website. 

Surveyors working in the rail sector may also be required to:

 

Career-Progression

What a Land Surveyor's rail career progression can look like

Land Surveyors may look to advance their career through roles such as Civil Engineer, Project Engineer or Construction Operations Manager.

Flow chart showing possible rail career progression for a job in land surveyingCareer pathway for
What do I do next?

What do I do next?

For more information on becoming a Land Surveyor:

  • talk to your careers adviser 
  • contact your local TAFE or university
  • if you already work in rail, talk to your employer.