Senior Survey Manager/Associate

Summary

The Senior Land Survey Manager serves as the highest-level technical and operational leader within the Survey/Mapping department. This role oversees multiple project teams, manages a substantial portfolio of work, and acts as the Surveyor of Record for the firm. The Senior Land Survey Manager provides strategic direction, ensures technical excellence, drives quality assurance/quality control, and strengthens client relationships. This position requires deep expertise in all facets of land surveying, proven leadership experience, and the professional judgment necessary to guide department-level decisions.

ResponsibilIties

Project Management

• Lead multiple, concurrent survey projects with full responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, and performance metrics (KPIs).


• Oversee and enforce project management standards across all Survey/Mapping teams.


• Direct and review work on high-complexity deliverables, including boundary surveys, ALTA/NSPS surveys, topographic mapping, subdivision maps, legal descriptions, and Records of Survey.


• Expert level knowledge and experience in all phases of project management. Oversee project initiation, planning, staffing, schedule development, and project closeout.


• Ensure compliance with state and local laws, agency standards, professional practice guidelines, and internal quality procedures.


• Serve as technical escalation point for boundary disputes, high-risk surveys, or nonstandard conditions.

Technical

• Manages a large book of business - in excess of 1.5 million


• Serve as the Surveyor of Record responsible for signing and sealing survey documents.


• Apply advanced methods for control network adjustment, GPS processing, coordinate transformations, and geodetic evaluation.


• Develop and maintain department-wide technical standards and QA/QC procedures.


• Oversee the integration of new technologies, equipment, and workflows.


• Ensure technical accuracy of all deliverables produced by the department.

Coordination & Communication

• Serve as primary point of contact for key clients, municipalities, public agencies, and major development partners.


• Respond to complex client questions and provide expert guidance on survey requirements and best practices.


• Ensure consistent, proactive communication from project start through delivery.


• Strengthen client trust and maintain longstanding relationships.

Leadership & Mentoring

• Lead and manage Survey/Mapping staff, including Project Surveyors, Senior Survey Technicians, and Drafting Technicians.


• Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching, feedback, and professional development plans.


• Support succession planning by identifying skill gaps and creating development pathways.


• Provide training and mentorship on boundary law, advanced computation, mapping standards, and professional practice.


• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented team culture.

Business Development & Marketing

• Manage a significant book of business (typically exceeding $1.5M annually).


• Identify new opportunities, add-on services, and long-term clients.


• Prepare proposals, scopes, project approaches, fee estimates, and staffing plans.


• Participate in interviews, industry events, and strategic marketing initiatives.


• Contribute to departmental and firm-wide operational planning.


• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Geomatics Engineering, Civil Engineering, or equivalent years of experience in Land Surveying


• 15+ years’ relevant experience in Land Surveying


• Professional Land Surveyor License (LS) in California


• Experience managing staff


• Experience with Project Management


• General knowledge of computers, Microsoft office, Adobe, Internet, Bluebeam, etc.


• Proficient knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D


• Proven ability to manage workload, staffing, and resource allocation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This role requires a combination of office-based work and occasional travel to field locations.

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods at a desk and operate a computer.

• Manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, printers, and scanners.


• Visual ability to read documents, spreadsheets, and computer screens.

• Ability to occasionally walk or stand on uneven or unpaved surfaces, including construction zones and undeveloped land.


• Ability to occasionally stoop, kneel, bend, or climb during site visits or inspections.


• Ability to lift and carry equipment or documents weighing up to 25 pounds.


• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, over the phone, and via digital platforms.


• Ability to drive to project sites and spend time outdoors in various weather conditions.


• Ability to visually observe site features and interpret plans, diagrams, and environmental conditions.


• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job.