Survey Party Chief Sr
Job Summary
The Senior Party Chief is an experienced field leader assigned full-time to major or complex projects. This role performs and supervises all survey and layout activities on site, ensures accurate and efficient execution that supports construction quality and schedule, mentors Survey Technicians and Party Chiefs, and serves as the trusted "go-to" surveyor for project teams. Senior Party Chiefs model professional standards, maintain impeccable documentation, and help scale Sundt's survey capabilities through hands-on leadership and knowledge transfer. Willingness to work extended hours on active large projects as demands require.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Champion the use of advanced technology (Trimble Business Center and Access, robotic total stations, GNSS, LiDAR, drones) and digital workflows to improve efficiency, accuracy, and integration with BIM models.
2. Ensure all survey work meets or exceeds Sundt quality tolerances, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements (BTR and ALTA/NSPS standards); conduct real-time quality control checks.
3. Identify training needs and skill gaps within the crew; coordinate with the Training & Development Lead and Division Survey Manager to close them through structured development.
4. Lead and perform all aspects of construction survey and layout on assigned projects, including control establishment, boundary verification, topographic data collection, staking, utility mapping, volume and material estimations, as-builts, and reality capture on large-scale self-perform projects with tight tolerances and high accuracy demands.
5. Perform complex layout calculations using Trimble Business Center and field data collection apps; maintain accurate, complete, and timely survey documentation, field notes, data files, and as-built records.
6. Serve as the primary on-site survey expert and trusted advisor to project superintendents, project managers, and engineers-delivering proactive solutions, rapid issue resolution, and clear communication on layout and control.
7. Supervise and mentor Party Chiefs, Survey Technicians (Levels 1-111), and other field staff; provide on-the-job coaching, training, and ensure adherence to Sundt standards and safety protocols.
8. Support project closeout, quality audits, final as-built surveys, and handoff of survey deliverables; contribute to lessons-learned and continuous improvement efforts.
9. Uphold Sundt's reputation for professionalism, reliability, and excellence on every jobsite while working safely and getting the job done right the first time.
Minimum Job Requirements:
1. Active Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license preferred; Certified Survey Technician (CST) Level Ill or equivalent required.
2. Adaptability, resilience, and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset in dynamic, fast-paced field environments.
3. Commitment to safety culture, quality, and developing the next generation of Sundt survey professionals.
4. Exceptional technical accuracy, attention to detail, and problem-solving under real-world field conditions; strong math/geometry skills for complex calculations.
5. Expert-level proficiency with Trimble Business Center and Access, robotic total stations, GNSS, AutoCAD Civil 30, and field data collection apps; strong CAD/GIS skills a plus.
6. Minimum 8-12 years of progressive field surveying experience in construction environments, with demonstrated leadership on complex large-scale self-perform projects with tight tolerances and high accuracy demands.
7. Outstanding field leadership, mentoring, and crew management skills with the ability to set high
standards in safety, quality, and productivity.
8. Proven track record supervising crews, mentoring junior staff, and delivering high-quality results under schedule pressure and tight tolerances.
9. Strong organizational and documentation discipline; committed to maintaining impeccable records and supporting successful project closeout.
10. Strong working knowledge of construction sequencing, tolerances, utility mapping, volume calculations, and coordination with other trades.
11. Superior communication skills-able to clearly convey complex survey information to non-surveyors, build trust with project teams, and resolve issues proactively.
12. Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites; willingness to work extended hours or shifts as project demands require.
Note: Job Description is subject to change at any time and may include other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements:
1. Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, hardhat, vest, etc.)
2. May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis
3. May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
4. May use telephone, computer system, email, or other electronic devices to communicate with internal and external customers or vendors.
5. Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
6. Occasionally will climb stairs, ladders, etc.
7. Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
8. Will interact with people frequently during a shift/workday.
9. Will lift, push or pull objects up to 50Ibs on an occasional basis.
10. Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift/workday.
11. Will work various shifts, including swing, night and weekend.