Geospatial survey technician
Construction and the built environment
Level 3 -
Gathering and processing geographic data from various sources, creating 2D or 3D drawings and models for the architecture, construction and engineering industries.
Reference: OCC0491
Status:
SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3114/03 Surveying technicians
- 2115/06 GIS analysts
- 2454/03 Land surveyors
Technical Education Products
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Cambridge Regional College, Cat Surveys, Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors, chconsultancy, Cronton College, J S Consultants UK Ltd, Leica Geosystems, Malcolm Hughes Land Surveyors, Maltby Surveys, Murphy Geospatial, Powers, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Storm Geomatics, Survey School, Tideway, Topcon
Summary
A career contributing to the environment in which you live.
Geospatial technicians play a critical role in all the world’s most exciting and complex construction projects, applying geospatial expertise to solve real world engineering and environmental challenges. They can work on world-class projects, building hospitals, skyscrapers, renewable energy power plants, chemical plants, infrastructure, residential buildings or boring huge underground tunnels. Surveying is also used in industries such as film, TV and theatre, computer gaming and the Metaverse.
This occupation is found in the public or private sector and employers include specialist land, air and offshore mapping companies, civil engineering contractors and consultancies, construction companies, rail operators, local authorities, central government, the military, multinational corporations, cartographic publishers, suppliers of computer-based mapping technology and utilities companies and a range of others.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to capture geospatial data by carrying out a site survey to produce accurate digital 2D or 3D drawings, 3D models and data reports. These surveys help clients to de-risk their projects by providing essential geospatial data on the features and contours of the land or a building or helping contractors by giving them utility services data to avoid services strikes, which could be costly and dangerous. Geospatial technicians exist so that our environment is full of well-built, safe and precisely measured projects. They provide support in disaster relief situations by assisting with search and rescue efforts, helping to locate utilities and provide mapping assistance for retracing where people may be trapped. Geospatial data also assists in reducing flooding caused by climate change when transformed into engineering solutions.
In their daily work geospatial technicians will travel to and from site, working in indoor and outdoor environments across a wide range of locations. They will work alongside geophysical and geotechnical consultants, environmental and ecology consultants, flood risk consultants, ground investigators, ground engineers and other land related professionals to provide multi-disciplinary and collaborative products for engineering and design.
Geospatial technicians will use a wide range of technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) plus electronic data capture tools such as Total Stations as well as cutting-edge 3D laser scanners, 360° camera systems, robotics and drones. Site data is transformed into outputs such as 2D plans or elevation drawings and 3D digital models or augmented reality models for a variety of uses including Building Information Modelling (BIM) for Digital Twins, master planning and architectural or landscape designs.
An employee in this occupation will work with internal and external stakeholders under general direction from a supervisor. They will assist in identifying and responding to complex issues and assignments, capturing key data and interpreting specific instructions, working within quality assurance guidelines to support the development of tasks.
Being a Geospatial Survey Technician is an in-demand occupation, with pathways into global opportunities and the opportunity for travel. The geospatial profession is a fast moving and exciting digital profession that contributes to a better world.
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Cambridge Regional College, Cat Surveys, Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors, chconsultancy, Cronton College, J S Consultants UK Ltd, Leica Geosystems, Malcolm Hughes Land Surveyors, Maltby Surveys, Murphy Geospatial, Powers, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Storm Geomatics, Survey School, Tideway, Topcon
Typical job titles include:
Keywords:
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
Duties
Duty D1
Plan work in compliance with occupational health, safety and environmental requirements to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of self and others at all times. Report in a timely manner any non-compliances to the appropriate person
Duty D2
Plan and prepare a Geospatial project brief from the client’s specification, employing best practice geospatial techniques
Duty D3
Set up, operate and adjust appropriate tools, equipment and technology to capture data on site for a variety of survey types
Duty D4
Receive, read and interpret survey data to produce technical drawings or digital models using survey software
Duty D5
Use surveying information to create client reports
Duty D6
Complete project documentation at the relevant stages of the survey project
Duty D7
Work within quality assurance guidelines to ensure survey outputs are to a particular standard
Duty D8
Carry out continuous professional development to maintain knowledge of current and future developments affecting the role
Duty D9
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers, suppliers, technical support staff, and other relevant personnel, to ensure that customer and business requirements are met
Duty D10
Comply with ethics, regulation and legislation and sustainability within geospatial profession and the wider construction industry
Occupational Progression
This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.
In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.
It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.
Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.
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