Instrument Person

TRC Companies, Inc. • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

The Instrument Person operates and maintains survey instrumentation for activities such as profile surveys, line locations, pipeline re-staking, line clearing and locating, loop line setup, and river and road crossings. The role performs assigned surveying tasks, including turning angles, measuring distances, collecting and processing survey data, and maintaining field notes in accordance with TRC’s field survey guidelines. It works closely with the Survey Party Chief to carry out survey work and implement project methods, policies, guidelines, and procedures. The Instrument Person helps orient and guide survey personnel, assign and monitor their tasks, and support quality, consistency, safety, documentation, and compliance with project requirements. The role also assists with execution planning, project tracking, data translation, and preparation of survey documentation at project completion, and may lead the survey team in the Survey Party Chief’s absence.

The work is performed outdoors across varied terrain and climates, including swamps, deserts, forests, and mountains, and may involve encountering wildlife. The position requires walking 2–10 miles per day while carrying supplies and equipment, and clearing lines with a machete, brush axe, or chain saw. Travel is required as dictated by job requirements, and the employee must be willing to relocate to domestic or foreign locations.

TRC offers medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance; a 401(k) with traditional and Roth options and company match; paid time off based on employment status and seniority; and at least eight paid holidays annually for full-time employees. Paid sick, family, and disability leave is provided in accordance with applicable state law. Employees may be eligible for the company’s annual discretionary bonus program. Compensation varies based on experience, education, skills, location, and other compensable factors.

Requirements

• At least two years of surveying experience, including previous Instrumentman experience.
• Knowledge of electronic data collection methods for cross-country pipeline surveying.
• Knowledge of survey instrumentation operating procedures and survey data collection techniques.
• Valid driver's license.
• Good oral communication skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely to prepare reports, field notes, specifications, and correspondence.
• Basic mathematical knowledge, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Ability to identify and solve organizational, business-related, technical, and administrative problems.
• Effective problem-solving skills, including when dealing with conflicting personalities.
• Creativity, foresight, and mature judgment to identify potential problems and find solutions early.
• Good working knowledge of TRC project operations.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills.
• Ability to travel as required by job requirements.
• Proficiency in PC operation, including spreadsheet and word-processing programs.
• Willingness to relocate to domestic or foreign locations.
• Ability to walk 2–10 miles per day while carrying supplies and equipment.
• Ability to clear lines using a machete, brush axe, or chain saw.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied terrain and extreme weather conditions and to deal with wildlife.
• Must pass pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or GED.
• Global Positioning Systems (GPS) knowledge.
• ACSM Survey Technician Certificate.
• Experience in database operations and use of engineering programs.

Responsibilities

• Implement the written execution plan for assigned survey activities, including scope, schedule, budget, staffing, equipment, objectives, milestones, documentation, and procedures for scope changes, safety, emergency response, and quality.
• Assist the Survey Party Chief in requesting the personnel and equipment needed for survey activities.
• Orient survey personnel on project plans, policies, procedures, safety, emergency response, quality assurance, task requirements, and documentation practices.
• Assign tasks to survey personnel and explain the requirements for completing, distributing, and submitting records and reports.
• Monitor personnel performance, documentation, conduct, work ethics, and interactions; provide guidance, coaching, motivation, or discipline as appropriate.
• Monitor survey tasks for compliance with project requirements and identify scope changes, schedule variances, and budget variances; document necessary changes.
• Monitor document control and filing systems to ensure project records can be stored and retrieved readily.
• Maintain close communication with the Survey Party Chief regarding progress, problems, and potential resolutions.
• Guide and supervise personnel in documenting survey activities, tracking progress and costs, reporting time and expenses, and completing and storing project documents.
• Implement project safety and emergency-response requirements and maintain the associated documentation.
• Assist with preparing and submitting the complete survey documentation package to the Project Manager or Client Representative at project completion.
• Maintain field notes in accordance with the TRC Guidelines for Field Surveys.
• Perform assigned survey activities, adjusting survey work for obstructions that were not identified during route reconnaissance.
• Process survey data and interface with the Survey Party Chief on data translation for preliminary alignment maps and plats.
• Maintain and operate survey instrumentation throughout data collection and take first-line responsibility for collected survey data.
• Help induct survey personnel into company and project survey procedures before and during field work.
• Assist with assigned project survey activities and assume leadership of the survey team when the Survey Party Chief is absent.
• Ensure company and project surveying procedures are implemented to achieve quality survey work, and report to the Survey Party Chief for interpretation of the TRC field survey guidelines.

Benefits

• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• 401(k) with traditional and Roth options and company match.
• Paid time off ranging from 15 to 25 days per year, contingent on full-time or part-time status and seniority.
• At least eight paid holidays per year for full-time employees.
• Paid sick, family, and disability leave in accordance with the laws of the employee’s state of residence.
• Potential eligibility for the company’s annual discretionary bonus program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed