Survey Party Chief (Union)

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

We are seeking a Survey Party Chief in Southern California. The ideal candidate will have experience leading field survey operations for complex construction, boundary, topographic, and control survey projects. This role supervises survey crews, coordinates with project teams, and ensures accurate, compliant, and timely delivery of survey data.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Party Chief for field crews performing construction, topographic, boundary, right-of-way, geodetic, and control surveys
• Plan and execute field work; participate in pre-survey meetings with project managers, engineers, and contractors
• Assign, prioritize, and monitor crew work; enforce safety practices and provide performance input
• Collect and verify survey data using conventional and GPS methods; operate and maintain survey equipment
• Perform and review complex survey calculations, data analysis, and closures
• Prepare and review field notes, maps, plats, ALTA surveys, grade sheets, and records of survey using AutoCAD and related software
• Research and interpret deeds, record maps, easements, and right-of-way documents
• Integrate field data into final drawings, GIS, and survey deliverables
• Train and mentor crew members; oversee survey equipment inventory and maintenance
• Communicate technical information clearly to clients, consultants, agencies, and the public
• Field inspections across varied terrain and weather conditions; travel locally and regionally as needed

Requirements

• Minimum of 3+ years of construction staking experience as a party chief, PLS or LSIT is preferred
• Must have a valid and current driver’s license in the state of California
• Ability to successfully pass a background check
• Willingness to join Operating Engineers Local 12 (OE 12) Union
• Strong knowledge of land surveying principles, methods, regulations, and standards
• Proficiency with GPS field equipment
• Ability to perform advanced mathematical and trigonometric survey calculations
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans, survey records, and regulations
• Proven leadership, organization, and communication skills
• Ability to manage deadlines, competing priorities, and diverse stakeholders
• Customer-service oriented team player with strong written and verbal communication skills
• Conduct field inspections across varied terrain and weather conditions; travel locally and regionally is required

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear, and operate survey equipment, keyboard, and mouse. Regularly lift, pull/push, and carry up to 100 lbs. Traverse rough, uneven, or sloped terrain.

Work Conditions: Primarily a field position. Work near heavy machinery, traffic, or other construction-related risks. Exposure to weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, or snow.

Benefits

• The typical base salary range for this position is $90,000.00 - $130,000.00, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
• Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k.
• Generous paid time off packages.
• 9 Paid Holidays.
• Flexible schedules.
• Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
• BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.

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