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Instrument Person Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Instrument Person

Morgantown, WV · On-site

$15 - $19/hr

About Us Groundbreaker. Game changer. Pioneer. TRC has long set the bar for clients who require more than just engineering, combining science with the latest technology to devise innovative solutions ...

As an Instrument Person at LJA Surveying , you will be responsible for transporting and setting up instruments and equipment associated with surveying land and preparing job site for survey A TYPICAL ...

As an Instrument Person at LJA Surveying you will be responsible for transporting and setting up instruments and equipment associated with surveying land and preparing job site for survey A TYPICAL ...

As an Instrument Person at LJA Surveying , you will be responsible for transporting and setting up instruments and equipment associated with surveying land and preparing job site for survey A TYPICAL ...

MacKay is seeking a Survey Instrument Person to support our field operations team in Vancouver, WA. This field-based role assists the Survey Party Chief in performing land surveying duties, operating ...

As an Instrument Person at LJA Surveying , you will be responsible for transporting and setting up instruments and equipment associated with surveying land and preparing job site for survey A TYPICAL ...

As an Instrument Person at WLB Group an LJA company , you will be responsible for transporting and setting up instruments and equipment associated with surveying land and preparing job site for ...

As an Instrument Person at LJA Surveying you will be responsible for transporting and setting up instruments and equipment associated with surveying land and preparing job site for survey A TYPICAL ...

As an Instrument Person at GSA an LJA company , you will be responsible for transporting and setting up instruments and equipment associated with surveying land and preparing job site for survey A ...

As an Instrument Person at LJA Surveying , you will be responsible for transporting, operating and setting up instruments and equipment associated with the performance of land surveying activities on ...

As an Instrument Person at LJA Surveying , you will be responsible for transporting, operating and setting up instruments and equipment associated with the performance of land surveying activities on ...

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Instrument Person information

See salary details

$14

$24

$32

How much do instrument person jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for instrument person in the United States is $24.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Instrument Person vs Surveyor?

AspectInstrument PersonSurveyor
CredentialsTypically requires basic surveying or construction certificationsRequires more advanced surveying licenses and certifications
Work EnvironmentWorks primarily with surveying instruments on construction sitesPerforms land measurements, boundary determinations, and mapping
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in construction, civil engineering, and infrastructure projectsUsed across land development, engineering, and mapping projects

The main difference between an Instrument Person and a Surveyor lies in their scope of work and certification levels. An Instrument Person typically assists with setting up and operating surveying instruments on construction sites, often requiring basic certifications. In contrast, a Surveyor has a broader role involving land measurement, boundary determination, and often holds advanced licenses. Both roles are essential in construction and land development, but they differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Instrument Person on a survey crew?

As an Instrument Person, your daily responsibilities include setting up, operating, and maintaining surveying instruments such as total stations, GPS equipment, and levels. You’ll work closely with the Party Chief and other crew members to collect accurate field data, mark survey points, and record measurements. This role often involves outdoor work in various weather conditions and requires attention to detail to ensure data quality. Collaboration and clear communication with your team are essential, as you may need to troubleshoot equipment and assist with data transfer to office staff.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Instrument Person, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Instrument Person, you need a solid understanding of land surveying principles, mathematics, and the ability to accurately operate and maintain surveying instruments, often supported by a high school diploma or relevant technical training. Familiarity with equipment such as total stations, GPS receivers, and data collectors, as well as proficiency in related software like AutoCAD or Trimble Business Center, is typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to work well in a team and outdoors are valuable soft skills. These abilities ensure accurate data collection and successful project completion in various surveying and construction environments.

What is an Instrument Person?

An Instrument Person, often called an Instrument Technician or Survey Instrument Operator, is a professional who works primarily in land surveying. They are responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining surveying instruments such as total stations, GPS receivers, levels, and data collectors. Their work supports surveyors and engineers by collecting accurate measurements and data for construction, mapping, or land development projects. Instrument Persons ensure that all equipment is calibrated correctly and that data is recorded precisely, often working outdoors in various weather conditions.
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Survey Instrument Person

Survey Instrument Person

Colliers Engineering & Design

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Colliers Engineering & Design rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

235th of 356 rated engineering


Job description

Overview

Are you ready to ditch the desk and take your career into the field? Join a dynamic and fast-growing team where your office is the great outdoors and your work shapes the future of infrastructure, development, and design! As a Survey Instrument Person, you’ll be on the front lines of exciting land, construction, utility, and geospatial projects. From urban redevelopment zones to remote natural landscapes, you’ll collect critical data, operate advanced GPS, robotic total stations, and drones, and contribute to maps, models, and designs that engineers, architects, and developers rely on.

Join our Survey/Geospatial team, which offers a full range of survey and geospatial data and mapping services that enable us to collect data faster, safer, and more accurately than ever before. Collect data from the air, ground and subsurface to provide precision data interpretation with us, and accelerate YOUR success to become tomorrow’s industry leader.


Responsibilities
  • Will work primarily in the field as Jr. Crew Chief / Instrument Man on a one, two or three-person field crew.
  • Cut and remove brush and undergrowth for line of sight.
  • Reads and understands plans and specifications.
  • Know basic sources of measurement errors.
  • Dig ground using a pick, shovel and other hand tools to search for and locate survey monuments.
  • Hold and plum rod in obtaining elevations and distances.
  • Drive stakes to set grades on construction projects.
  • Provide quality seamless customer service.
  • Know, understand and demonstrate safe working/operating methods of assigned tools and equipment.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
  • 2+ years of experience in the survey field
  • Electric Transmission/Distribution and Oil/Gas Pipeline Experience is a plus.
  • Must be physically able to work long hours and carry heavy loads.
  • Possess good interpersonal skills, and effective written and oral communication skills.
  • Attendance, punctuality and reliability are essential requirements.
  • Must be able to work in inclement weather.
  • A valid driver's license and clean driving record may be required. MVR will be checked and monitored.
  • Ability to read, write and understand English for purposes of comprehending written job-related communications and verbal instructions and interactions.

Requires a pre-employment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in the employer's random drug and alcohol testing program.


What We Offer

At Colliers Engineering & Design, our people are our most important resource. That’s why we are committed to providing all our employees with a safe, comfortable work environment, potential for career advancement, and the ability to impact society through their projects as well as Company sponsored activities.


This dedication begins with supporting a work life balance through a generous compensation package that includes: company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid pregnancy disability leave; short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; a company-matched 401(k)/Roth; paid time off that includes parental and military leave; employee referral and professional license bonuses and a straight time policy that compensates exempt employees for billable hours worked in excess of 40 billable hours within a work week.


We have also created an internal culture that provides the resources and technology needed to encourage personal and professional growth opportunities through reimbursement for education; a free in-house resource for hundreds of educational and self-enrichment courses; mentorship program; wellness program; Women’s Organization and ongoing philanthropic opportunities.


Apply today to learn how you can join our team of professionals, so we can help you Accelerate Your Success!

Qualifications:
  • 2+ years of experience in the survey field
  • Electric Transmission/Distribution and Oil/Gas Pipeline Experience is a plus.
  • Must be physically able to work long hours and carry heavy loads.
  • Possess good interpersonal skills, and effective written and oral communication skills.
  • Attendance, punctuality and reliability are essential requirements.
  • Must be able to work in inclement weather.
  • A valid driver's license and clean driving record may be required. MVR will be checked and monitored.
  • Ability to read, write and understand English for purposes of comprehending written job-related communications and verbal instructions and interactions.

Requires a pre-employment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in the employer's random drug and alcohol testing program.

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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About Colliers Engineering & Design

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Colliers Engineering & Design, an affiliate of Colliers, is a trusted provider of multi-discipline engineering and architecture, design and consulting services to public and private sector clients. Headquartered in Holmdel, New Jersey with offices throughout the United States, we specialize in providing a comprehensive suite of services including civil/site, architecture, transportation, survey/geospatial, infrastructure, governmental, geotechnical/environmental, telecommunications, utilities/energy and project management. We employ professionals who utilize the most advanced technologies to deliver customized solutions for our clients.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Holmdel, NJ, US

Year founded

1984