Land Surveyor Science & Engineering Professionals
SaveWhat Does a Land Surveyor Do?
Land surveyors determine, by means of specialised equipment, the distances and positions of points at the surface of sites for construction purposes. They use measurements of the specific aspects of construction sites, such as electricity, distance measurements, and metal structure volumes to create architectural drawings and develop construction projects.
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Where Do I Start?
Geomatics
The scientific discipline that studies gathering, storing, and processing geographic information.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Land Surveyor
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialGeomatics knowledge
The scientific discipline that studies gathering, storing, and processing geographic information.
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EssentialGeodesy knowledge
The scientific discipline that combines applied mathematics and earth sciences in order to measure and represent the Earth. It studies phenomena such as gravitational fields, polar motion, and tides.
Recommended Books
4 books -
EssentialSurveying knowledge
The technique of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them.
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EssentialSurveying Methods knowledge
Have an understanding of surveying methods, remote sensing methods and equipment.
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EssentialTechnical Drawings knowledge
Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialEngineering Principles knowledge
The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialEngineering Processes knowledge
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialCartography knowledge
The study of interpreting the elements depicted in maps, the measures and technical specifications.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialCivil Engineering knowledge
The engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMathematics knowledge
Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMining, Construction And Civil Engineering Machinery Products knowledge
The offered mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialTopography knowledge
Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdjust Engineering Designs skill
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApprove Engineering Design skill
Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCalibrate Electronic Instruments skill
Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConduct Land Surveys skill
Conduct surveys to determine the location and features of natural and man-made structures, on surface level as well as underground and underwater. Operate electronic distance-measuring equipment and digital measuring instruments.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Compliance With Safety Legislation skill
Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Surveying Instruments skill
Operate and adjust measuring instruments such as theodolites and prisms, and other electronic distance-measuring tools.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Scientific Research skill
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Surveying Calculations skill
Perform calculations and gather technical data in order to determine earth curvature corrections, traverse adjustments and closures, level runs, azimuths, marker placements, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRecord Survey Measurements skill
Gather and process descriptive data by using documents such as sketches, drawings and notes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Technical Drawing Software skill
Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdjust Surveying Equipment skill
Ensure accuracy of measurement by adjusting surveying equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCompare Survey Computations skill
Determine the accuracy of data by comparing computations with applicable standards.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDetermine Boundaries skill
Establish the boundaries of properties using surveying equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDocument Survey Operations skill
Complete and file all required administrative, operational and technical documents related to a survey operation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Surveying Report skill
Write a survey report containing information on property boundaries, the height and depth of the terrain, etc..
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 25 displayed)
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OptionalGeographic Information Systems knowledge
The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).
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OptionalGeology knowledge
Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalGeography knowledge
The scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPhotogrammetry knowledge
The science of taking photographs from at least two different locations in order to measure land surfaces to be represented in a map, 3D model or physical model.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalUrban Planning Law knowledge
Investments and urban development agreements. Legislative developments regarding construction in terms of environmental, sustainability, social and financial matters.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAdvise Architects skill
Give advice on design, safety issues, and cost reduction to architects during the pre-application phase.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Digital Mapping skill
Make maps by formatting compiled data into a virtual image that gives a precise representation of a specific area.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCollect Data Using GPS skill
Gather data in the field using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCollect Geological Data skill
Participate in the collection of geological data such as core logging, geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveying, digital data capture, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate GIS Reports skill
Use relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Thematic Maps skill
Use various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDesign Scientific Equipment skill
Design new equipment or adapt existing equipment to aid scientists in gathering and analysing data and samples.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Geological Databases skill
Develop geological databases in order to acquire and organise information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInterpret Geophysical Data skill
Interpret data of a geophysical nature: Earth's shape, its gravitational and magnetic fields, its structure and composition, and geophysical dynamics and their surface expression in plate tectonics.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPrepare Geological Map Sections skill
Prepare geological sections, a vertical view of the local geology.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProcess Collected Survey Data skill
Analyse and interpret survey data acquired from a wide variety of sources e.g. satellite surveys, aerial photography and laser measurement systems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalStudy Aerial Photos skill
Use aerial photos to study phenomena on Earth's surface.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse CAD Software skill
Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Geographic Information Systems skill
Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalValue Properties skill
Examine and evaluate land and buildings in order to make valuations about their price.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdvise On Mining Environmental Issues skill
Collaborate with engineers, surveyors, geotechnical staff and metallurgists, involved in environmental protection and land rehabilitation after mining activities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCollect Mapping Data skill
Collect and conserve mapping resources and mapping data.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCompile Gis-data skill
Gather and organise GIS-data from sources such as databases and maps.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConduct Research Before Survey skill
Acquire information about property and its boundaries before the survey by searching legal records, survey records, and land titles.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Cadastral Maps skill
Create maps using data gathered during surveying and measurement activities and specialised software which outline a region's constructions' and buildings' boundaries.
Course recommendations coming soon.