Professional Land Surveyor

Roles and Responsibilities

A Land Surveyor is a professional who specializes in measuring and mapping land, including its boundaries, topography, and natural and man-made features. Land surveyors play a crucial role in construction, real estate development, infrastructure projects, and land planning, providing accurate data that is used for legal, environmental, and design purposes.

Land surveyors work in a variety of sectors, including residential and commercial real estate, urban planning, environmental consulting, and government agencies. They may also be involved in preparing land for construction, ensuring that developments adhere to legal boundaries, and providing valuable data for infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and utilities.

Key Responsibilities of a Land Surveyor:

1. Land Measurement and Boundary Surveying
   • Property Boundary Surveys: Determining the legal boundaries of land parcels, establishing property lines, and resolving boundary disputes between landowners.
   • Topographical Surveys: Mapping the physical features of a landscape, including elevation changes, natural features (rivers, lakes, mountains), and existing infrastructure (roads, buildings, etc.).
   • Subdivision Surveys: Conducting surveys for dividing land into smaller parcels, ensuring compliance with zoning laws and local regulations.
   • Legal Documentation: Preparing legal documents, such as deeds, easements, and plats (detailed maps of land), that define property boundaries.
2. Construction and Engineering Support
   • Site Preparation Surveys: Providing the necessary data for site layout, excavation, and construction activities, ensuring the correct positioning of buildings, roads, utilities, and other infrastructure.
   • Grade and Slope Measurement: Assessing and measuring the slope and grade of land for construction projects, ensuring proper drainage and foundation stability.
   • As-Built Surveys: Conducting surveys after construction to confirm that buildings, roads, and utilities are correctly positioned and comply with the original plans and specifications.
3. Geodetic and Control Surveys
   • Geodetic Surveys: Conducting large-scale surveys that involve the measurement of the Earth's surface to create accurate maps and models, often used for large infrastructure projects or scientific purposes.
   • Establishing Control Points: Setting up reference points on the land to serve as benchmarks for future surveys, ensuring accuracy over large distances.
4. Mapping and Data Analysis
   • Survey Data Collection: Using tools like GPS, total stations, and laser scanning equipment to collect accurate measurements of land, buildings, and infrastructure.
   • Data Processing: Analyzing and processing survey data to create maps, charts, and models. This may involve using specialized software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and GIS (Geographic Information Systems).
   • Reporting: Compiling survey results into comprehensive reports that include detailed maps, technical drawings, and documentation for clients, contractors, and government agencies.
5. Regulatory Compliance and Documentation
   • Permitting and Approvals: Ensuring that all surveys comply with local regulations, zoning laws, and environmental requirements, including obtaining permits and approvals where necessary.
   • Survey Certification: Certifying the accuracy of surveys and ensuring that they are legally valid, especially for boundary disputes or legal transactions (e.g., land sales, development projects).
   • Environmental Surveys: Conducting surveys to assess environmental conditions, including wetlands, flood zones, and protected areas, in compliance with environmental regulations.
6. Collaboration with Other Professionals
   • Collaboration with Architects and Engineers: Working closely with architects, engineers, and urban planners to provide essential data for land development, construction projects, and infrastructure planning.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Perform survey work under the direction and guidance of the Senior Highway Surveyor.
• Establish primary horizontal and vertical control points including reference ties for re-establishing the points in the field.
• Record all measurements, rod readings and calculations neatly and accurately in field books as the work progresses.
• Coordinate with the Contractor’s surveyor on work priorities and schedules.
• Check all work by completing traverse closures and bench circuits.
• Report discrepancies or technical problems to the Assistant Resident Engineer.
• Perform joint measurements of the completed work or payment.
• Maintain equipment in proper condition and perform frequent calibration checks.
• Specific Skills Required:
• Strong construction supervision experience on expressways projects.
• Well experienced in the construction of interchanges/intersections.
• Ability to utilize modern computer software and survey equipment.

Qualifications

• Relevant university or college qualification (Min Years 3 of Diploma in Civil or Survey).
• RTA/DM Approval is mandatory.

Experience

• Work experience of not less than 10 years in construction and/or supervision.
• Must also have knowledge of existing networks in the Emirate of Dubai.