Surveyors and cartographers are responsible for measuring and mapping the earth’s surface. Traditionally, surveyors establish official land, airspace, and water boundaries. They write descriptions of land for deeds, leases, and other legal documents; define airspace for airports; and take measurements of construction and mineral sites. Other surveyors provide data relevant to the shape, contour, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features.
Surveying and mapping technicians assist cartographers, whose job it is to compile geographic, political, and cultural information and prepare maps of large areas. Photogrammetrists measure and analyze aerial photographs that are subsequently used to prepare detailed maps and drawings. It is the land surveyor that provides critical information for these professionals by collecting data in the field and using it to calculate mapmaking information for use in performing computations and computer-aided drafting.
Surveyors measure distances, directions, and angles between points and elevations of points, lines, and contours on, above, and below the earth’s surface. In the field they select known survey reference points, and determine the precise location of important features in the survey area.
Not all of their work is done in the field, however. Surveyors research legal records, look for evidence of previous boundaries, and analyze the data to determine the location of boundary lines. They also record the results of surveys, verify the accuracy of data, and prepare plots, maps, and reports. Surveyors who establish boundaries must be licensed by the State in which they work. Surveyors are sometimes called to provide expert testimony in court cases concerning matters pertaining to surveying.
