Licensed land surveyors use an intricate combination of law, math, engineering and physics to work out and establish property boundaries. They work outdoors in the field, in an office or a mix of both. They use specialized equipment like GPSs, prisms and software to complete surveys. Some also use drones to help with their jobs. They can perform a wide variety of different types of surveys including boundary, topographic and ALTA/NSPS. A good survey will help a homeowner understand where their plot of land ends and the adjacent plot begins, helping them to avoid any issues such as encroachment or building within another person's property line. Land surveying is a critical step before buying a home or beginning any construction project. Having your land surveyed by a professional can also be an excellent way to resolve any disputes with your neighbors and to show any potential buyers the details of the plot, terrain, elevation and property structures before they sign on the dotted line.

A land surveyor can find themselves working for a number of different industries, from government agencies to architectural, engineering, mining and construction companies. They often collaborate with civil engineers to provide important data and measurements for infrastructure and construction projects. They can also work for architectural firms or for real estate companies. They can also find work as private consultants.

This job requires extended periods of strenuous activity outside in varying field and weather conditions. Surveyors need to be able to walk on uneven surfaces, stand and lift weights up to 50lbs. They must have a valid NYS driver’s license, be familiar with NYC and the surveying procedures in each of the five boroughs, and have experience using total stations, data collectors, GPS and digital levels. The ideal candidate will be a hardworking individual who has great attention to detail.

When developing a piece of land for commercial development, the services of a Land Surveyor are essential to ensuring that all construction is carried out in compliance with local regulations and building goals. A Land Surveyor can identify unique and complex terrain or rugged topography that may affect the building process, and they will use this information to provide a clear plan of the site and its dimensions for developers to follow.

In addition to their work on private property, surveyors can also be hired by local governments to assist with mapping complex terrain and locating and marking underground utilities in preparation for road construction. Many local governments are also requiring property owners to have their land surveyed prior to purchasing or building on it, in order to make sure that any developments will not interfere with the existing legal boundary lines and that there is no danger of encroachment onto another's property.

Most licensed land surveyors display a New York State registration certificate, diploma, licenses from other states and membership certificates on their office desks or in their work vehicles. They can also be identified by their yellow and black uniforms and the distinctive hat they wear when on the job.