17-1022.00 · Task explorer
Surveyors: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.
Use the skill profile to plan your next practice →
Read the task inventory
This source lists 24 tasks, including 21 marked Core and 3 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.
Task source dates: 08/2023.
24 tasks shown
Core · Task 3530 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
Core · Task 3528 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
Core · Task 3534 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
Core · Task 3529 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
Core · Task 3536 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
Core · Task 3531 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.
Core · Task 3533 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.
Core · Task 3543 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.
Core · Task 3532 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.
Core · Task 3535 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.
Core · Task 3539 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments.
Core · Task 3540 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS).
Core · Task 3541 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps.
Core · Task 3537 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects.
Core · Task 3542 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation.
Core · Task 20954 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Testify as an expert witness in court cases on land survey issues, such as property boundaries.
Core · Task 3538 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy.
Core · Task 3544 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Develop criteria for survey methods and procedures.
Core · Task 3548 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Survey bodies of water to determine navigable channels and to secure data for construction of breakwaters, piers, and other marine structures.
Core · Task 3549 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Direct aerial surveys of specified geographical areas.
Core · Task 3546 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Conduct research in surveying and mapping methods, using knowledge of photogrammetric map compilation and electronic data processing.
Supplemental · Task 3547 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Locate and mark sites selected for geophysical prospecting activities, such as efforts to locate petroleum or other mineral products.
Supplemental · Task 3550 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Determine specifications for equipment to be used for aerial photography, as well as altitudes from which to photograph terrain.
Supplemental · Task 3545 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert
Develop criteria for the design and modification of survey instruments.
Make the shortlist useful
- Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
- For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
- Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.
The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.
Keep your worksheet
Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.
Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.