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Geodetic Surveyors

SOC 17-1022.01Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers geodetic surveying practice across field data collection, geodetic computation, control network management, database administration, quality assurance, and technical leadership in engineering, government, and geospatial professional environments.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Survey field data — collect and record under direct supervision using standard geodetic instruments on assigned project sites.
  2. Control survey specifications — review and interpret to ensure basic understanding of project requirements in an entry-level office or field setting.
  3. Horizontal and vertical coordinates — calculate using provided formulas and geodetic tables under the guidance of a licensed surveyor.
  4. Survey databases — enter coordinate and descriptive data into established geodetic information systems following documented data entry protocols.
  5. Newly collected survey measurements — verify mathematical correctness using prescribed checking procedures on routine land survey projects.
  6. Basic geodetic techniques — apply including direct leveling and simple traversing to assist senior staff in establishing surface control points.
  7. Map creation and CAD software — operate at a foundational level to draft survey outputs under supervision in an engineering or government survey office.
  8. Survey control data — identify discrepancies and flag potential errors for review by experienced geodetic surveyors during quality checks.
  9. Technical survey reports — read and summarize key findings to support project teams in a professional surveying environment.
  10. Geographic information system tools — use to query and display existing geodetic datasets as directed in support of field or office survey tasks.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Control network data — analyze for adherence to project specifications and land survey standards with limited oversight on mid-complexity survey projects.
  2. Land surface features — measure and determine exact positions, elevations, contours, and areas using geodetic survey instruments with routine independence.
  3. Horizontal and vertical point positions — compute using triangulation, trilateration, and traversing techniques on standard engineering or construction projects.
  4. Geodetic databases — maintain and update with coordinate, descriptive, and quality assurance data in compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
  5. Survey data mathematical accuracy — verify systematically by applying closure checks and adjustment procedures across full survey datasets.
  6. Direct leveling and geodetic survey computations — execute to establish control networks for infrastructure or boundary survey projects with reduced supervision.
  7. Survey quality assessment reports — prepare identifying gaps in control data and recommending supplemental surveys to meet engineering project requirements.
  8. CAD and analytical software — apply to process and present geodetic survey results accurately for client deliverables and project documentation.
  9. Field survey teams — coordinate day-to-day activities by communicating technical requirements and monitoring progress against project schedules.
  10. Complex mathematical problems in geodesy — solve by selecting appropriate computational methods and referencing current professional standards.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Control and survey data — analyze autonomously to ensure full conformance with project specifications, regulatory standards, and geodetic accuracy requirements.
  2. Comprehensive land surveys — conduct independently determining exact positions, elevations, volumes, contours, and surface features across diverse and complex project types.
  3. Three-dimensional Earth surface coordinates — calculate with high precision using advanced geodetic techniques including GPS/GNSS integration and least-squares adjustment.
  4. Geodetic information systems — design, manage, and quality-assure databases containing coordinate networks, metadata, and QA documentation for organizational use.
  5. Newly collected and archival survey data — evaluate mathematical validity and geodetic integrity, resolving non-routine errors through independent professional judgment.
  6. Full control network computations — execute using triangulation, trilateration, traversing, and space-based positioning methods for large-scale or high-accuracy survey projects.
  7. Survey staff technical guidance — provide as a subject-matter expert, directing work plans and resolving field and computational challenges on complex assignments.
  8. Control data quality assessments — perform to determine the sufficiency of existing networks and specify additional survey requirements for engineering or construction programs.
  9. Analytical and scientific software — configure and apply for advanced geodetic processing, including network adjustment and geoid modeling, in a professional survey environment.
  10. Cross-disciplinary survey problems — resolve by integrating geodetic science, mathematics, and engineering principles across multi-phase projects with stakeholder coordination.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational geodetic standards — establish and enforce across survey programs to ensure enterprise-wide adherence to accuracy, methodology, and regulatory compliance.
  2. Large-scale geodetic survey programs — direct from planning through delivery, allocating resources and setting technical strategy for government, infrastructure, or research initiatives.
  3. National or regional control network development — lead by applying advanced geodetic computation and positioning science to expand or modernize geospatial reference frameworks.
  4. Enterprise geodetic database architecture — design and govern to ensure long-term data integrity, accessibility, and interoperability across organizational and external systems.
  5. Quality assurance frameworks for survey operations — create and institutionalize including audit protocols and performance metrics spanning field collection to final deliverables.
  6. Geodetic surveying staff — mentor and develop through structured training programs, performance coaching, and knowledge transfer in a professional engineering organization.
  7. Senior technical consultations — provide to executive, government, or client stakeholders on complex geodetic challenges, translating scientific findings into actionable decisions.
  8. Emerging geodetic technologies and methods — evaluate and integrate including advanced GNSS, LiDAR, and satellite geodesy, driving organizational adoption and capability growth.
  9. Inter-agency or multi-sector geodetic initiatives — lead by coordinating technical standards, data sharing agreements, and joint survey programs across organizational boundaries.
  10. Strategic assessment of geodetic data sufficiency — conduct at portfolio scale to guide capital investment in survey infrastructure supporting long-term engineering or public safety objectives.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Aerial Photograph Interpreter · Aerotriangulation Specialist · Field Surveyor · Geodesist · Geodetic Advisor · Geodetic Computator · Geodetic Coordinator · Geodetic Engineer · Geodetic Information Specialist · Geodetic Survey Director · Geodetic Surveyor · Geodetic Surveyor Technologist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
MathematicsReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingWritingJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningMonitoringSpeakingScienceSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationLearning StrategiesCoordinationInstructing
Knowledge domains
MathematicsEngineering and TechnologyGeographyComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguagePhysicsEducation and TrainingDesignCustomer and Personal Service
Abilities
Written ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionInductive ReasoningFlexibility of ClosureInformation OrderingMathematical ReasoningNumber FacilityNear Vision
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityIntellectual CuriosityIntegrityPerseveranceCautiousness
Technology
Map creation softwareData base user interface and query softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareObject or component oriented development softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareElectronic mail softwareGeographic information systemWeb platform development softwareOperating system softwareSpreadsheet software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.
  2. Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.
  3. Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.
  4. Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.
  5. Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.
  6. Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth's surface.
  7. Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.
  8. Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects.
CIP education codes
14.380115.1102

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.