Who is a land surveyor and what do they do? Land surveyors measure, and map land. They create records on land survey maps, keep the records and other documentation for the needs of the public, private industry, state administration, economic development and national defence.
What are the activities of the land surveyor? Surveying land and recording its boundaries and features; recording the values obtained from the fieldwork in the form of their own sketches, preparation of maps and plans of the land; saving the data obtained in national land survey information systems; design and management of the initial surveys and of the subsequent documentation based on them, including property and title deeds or records etc.; they may carry out initial surveys to enable others such as engineers, architects or planners to assess the needs of a project, then make more detailed surveys to inform the design of construction or civil engineering work; maintenance and administration of database files containing land survey data; they also look after, adjust and control, optical and mechanical apparatus used in the survey work; preparation of records that provide evidence of ownership and other rights of individuals and organisations to the land.
Where is it done and under what conditions? Both in offices and in the field where there can be a variety of weather conditions.
What tools/equipment do they use? Field survey devices, land survey information technology systems, writing and drawing utilities. Computer-aided design (CAD) tools may also be used.
What do you need to succeed? You need a certificate from a four-year secondary course in land surveying or the corresponding university degree in land surveying and cartography or a similar specialisation, spatial imagination, accuracy, a good level of numeracy, ability to work in a team and good eyesight. Knowledge of building, law and economics are all helpful.