17-3031.00 · Task explorer
Surveying and Mapping Technicians: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
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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Read the task inventory
This source lists 30 tasks, including 29 marked Core and 1 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: 08/2026.
30 tasks shown
Core · Task 22131 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation.
Core · Task 22130 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points.
Core · Task 22115 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.
Core · Task 22125 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.
Core · Task 22122 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors.
Core · Task 22104 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
Core · Task 22123 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information.
Core · Task 22129 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Record survey measurements or descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, or inked tracings.
Core · Task 22124 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments.
Core · Task 22128 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Prepare topographic or contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.
Core · Task 22132 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in surveying, plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs.
Core · Task 22109 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.
Core · Task 22110 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.
Core · Task 22106 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.
Core · Task 22121 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Complete detailed source and method notes describing the location of routine or complex land parcels.
Core · Task 22103 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
Core · Task 22105 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.
Core · Task 22114 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments.
Core · Task 22126 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures or adjustments, azimuths, level runs, or placement of markers.
Core · Task 22112 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.
Core · Task 22118 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.
Core · Task 22120 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Answer questions and provide information to the public or to staff members regarding assessment maps, surveys, boundaries, easements, property ownership, roads, zoning, or similar matters.
Core · Task 22116 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification.
Core · Task 22111 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.
Core · Task 22107 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.
Core · Task 22117 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes.
Core · Task 22113 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data.
Core · Task 22108 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.
Core · Task 22119 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.
Supplemental · Task 22127 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Prepare cost estimates for mapping projects.
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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.
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