17-3031.00 · Learning planner
Surveying and Mapping Technicians: a task-based learning plan
Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.
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Understand the profile before choosing priorities
The table shows the ten highest importance ratings among 33 skills with usable ratings. Skills tied on importance can share a rank. Importance (1–5) and level (0–7) describe different dimensions. A level of 4 is not 4/7 of a course, and neither scale is your personal score. Source dates refer to the underlying rating, not the database release date.
| Skill | Importance / 5 | Level / 7 | Rating date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.62 | 3.75 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Critical Thinking | 3.50 | 3.62 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Mathematics | 3.25 | 3.62 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.25 | 3.12 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Time Management | 3.12 | 3.38 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.25 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Active Listening | 3.12 | 3.00 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 3.00 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.00 | 3.00 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Active Learning | 2.88 | 3.12 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
Anchor the plan in an actual task
Choose one reported task you want to understand better. Then choose one to three skills and describe an appropriate learning activity, evidence you will review and a date. For practical work requiring authorization, choose relevant coursework, observation or supervised training.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for surveying and mapping technicians.
Level 4: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies
Level 2: Read step-by-step instructions for completing a form
Which instruction, constraint or exception in a document would you need to explain accurately?
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for surveying and mapping technicians.
Level 4: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses
Level 2: Determine whether a subordinate has a good excuse for being late
What assumption could change your conclusion, and what evidence would you check first?
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for surveying and mapping technicians.
Level 4: Calculate the square footage of a new home under construction
Level 2: Count the amount of change to be given to a customer
Which quantities, units, denominator and rounding rules would need an explicit check?
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for surveying and mapping technicians.
Level 4: Redesign a floor layout to take advantage of new manufacturing techniques
Level 2: Lay out tools to complete a job
How would you separate the problem into parts and compare possible explanations?
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for surveying and mapping technicians.
Level 4: Allocate the time of subordinates to projects for the coming week
Level 2: Keep a monthly calendar of appointments
What needs to happen first, where is the deadline, and what would you do if time runs short?
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for surveying and mapping technicians.
Level 4: Monitor a meeting and revise the agenda to ensure important topics are discussed
Level 2: Proofread and correct a letter
What result or exception would you inspect during the task, and when would you revisit it?
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for surveying and mapping technicians.
Level 2: Take a customer's order
Level 4: Answer inquiries regarding credit references
What would you ask the other person to clarify, and how would you confirm you understood?
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for surveying and mapping technicians.
Level 2: Greet tourists and explain tourist attractions
Level 4: Interview applicants to obtain personal and work history
How would you explain the task, audience needs and next step in a short conversation?
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for surveying and mapping technicians.
Level 2: Decide how scheduling a break will affect work flow
Level 4: Evaluate a loan application for degree of risk
Which options, constraints and consequences would you compare, and what could change the choice?
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for surveying and mapping technicians.
Level 4: Determine the impact of new menu changes on a restaurant's purchasing requirements
Level 2: Think about the implications of a news article for job opportunities
What new information would change your approach, and how would you record the change?
Review the result
Your plan should explain why the selected skills matter for your chosen task, what you will do next and what evidence you will examine. Revisit the plan after that activity. Completing a worksheet or matching an occupation’s ratings does not establish professional competence.
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.