Instrument Person

TRC Companies, Inc. • Houston, TX

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Instrument Person operates and maintains survey instrumentation for low-tech surveying activities, including profile surveys, line locations, pipeline re-staking, line clearing and locating, loop line setup, and river and road crossings. The role performs assigned survey work such as turning angles, measuring distances, and collecting and processing survey data, while working closely with the Survey Party Chief to carry out project methods and requirements.

The position helps implement project survey plans, policies, procedures, safety and emergency-response requirements, and quality practices. It orients and assigns survey personnel, monitors their work and documentation, and provides guidance, coaching, and supervision. The Instrument Person tracks progress, scope, schedule, budget, personnel time and expenses, and project records; communicates progress and issues to the Survey Party Chief; and assists with project closeout documentation. The role maintains field notes, operates survey instruments, adjusts work for obstructions, supports survey data translation for preliminary alignment maps and plats, and may lead the survey team in the Survey Party Chief’s absence.

This is an outdoor field position involving varied terrain and extreme weather conditions. Travel is required as dictated by job requirements, and willingness to relocate to domestic or foreign locations is required. The stated compensation range is USD $15.00–$19.00 per hour, varying with experience, education, skill level, location, and other compensable factors. The employee may be eligible for the company’s annual discretionary bonus program.

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-instrument operating procedures and survey-data collection techniques.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Good oral communication skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely for 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, particularly when dealing with conflicting personalities.
• Creativity, foresight, and mature judgment to identify potential problem areas and address them early.
• Good working knowledge of TRC project operations.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills.
• Ability to travel as dictated by job requirements.
• Proficiency with PC operation, including spreadsheet and word-processing programs.
• Willingness to relocate to domestic or foreign locations.
• Must pass pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to walk 2–10 miles per day while carrying supplies and equipment.
• Ability to clear line using a machete, brush axe, or chain saw.
• Ability to work across varied terrain and in extreme weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Implement the written plan for survey activities, including scope, schedule, budget, personnel organization, equipment and office needs, objectives, required permits or milestones, documentation, and procedures for changes, safety, emergency response, and quality.
• Assist the Survey Party Chief in requesting the personnel and equipment needed for assigned survey activities.
• Orient assigned survey personnel on project plans, policies, procedures, safety, emergency response, quality requirements, and documentation expectations; assign tasks and explain required forms and reporting practices.
• Monitor personnel performance, documentation, conduct, work ethics, and interactions; provide guidance, coaching, motivation, or discipline as needed.
• Monitor survey tasks for compliance with project requirements and identify scope changes or schedule and budget variances; implement changes and document resulting schedule or budget adjustments.
• Monitor document-control and filing systems so project documents, records, and reports can be stored and retrieved.
• Maintain close communication with the Survey Party Chief about progress, problems, and possible resolutions affecting survey completion.
• Guide and supervise survey personnel on documenting activities, tracking progress and costs, reporting time and expenses, and completing, controlling, storing, and retrieving project documents.
• Implement project requirements for safety compliance and emergency response, including documentation of the survey process.
• Assist in preparing and submitting complete survey-activity documentation in the project completion package.
• Maintain field notes according to TRC Guidelines for Field Surveys.
• Perform assigned survey activities and adjust surveying work for obstructions not identified during route reconnaissance.
• Process survey data and work with the Survey Party Chief on data translation for preliminary alignment maps and plats.
• Assist with orienting survey personnel on company and project survey procedures before and during field work.
• Maintain and operate survey instrumentation throughout data collection and take first-line responsibility for collected survey data.
• Assist the Survey Party Chief with project activities and lead the survey team in the Survey Party Chief’s absence.
• Ensure company and project surveying procedures are properly implemented to achieve quality survey work, and seek the Survey Party Chief’s interpretation of TRC field-survey guidelines when needed.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) with traditional and Roth IRA options and company match
• Paid time off, ranging from 7 to 25 days per year depending on employment status and seniority
• At least 8 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
• Possible eligibility for the annual discretionary bonus program

What This Job Offers

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