Land surveyors (NOC 2154)

Land surveyors perform some or all of the following duties:

• develop survey plans, methods and procedures for conducting legal surveys
• plan, direct and oversee surveys to establish and mark legal boundaries of properties, parcels of lands, provincial and Canada Lands, aboriginal land claims, well-sites, mining claims, utility rights-of-way, roadways and highways
• survey and lay out subdivisions for rural and urban development
• determine exact locations using electronic distance measuring equipment and global positioning systems (GPS)
• analyze, manage and display data using geographic information systems (GIS) and computer-aided design and drafting (CAD)
• record all measurements and other information obtained during survey activities
• prepare or oversee the preparation and compilation of all data, plans, charts, records and documents related to surveys of real property boundaries
• approve and be responsible for surveys made to establish real property boundaries
• advise, provide consultation and testify as an expert witness on matters related to legal surveys

Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office, or an outdoor work environment where the worker is exposed to various weather conditions.

Education, training & qualifications

As of July 1, 2017 when the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) came into force, you will not need significant additional training, experience, testing or assessment if your qualifications or certificates are recognized by a Canadian regulatory authority. This applies whether you were trained in Canada or internationally. Learn about labour mobility at www.workersmobility.ca. For information about labour mobility and foreign qualifications recognition, contact the B.C. regulator for your occupation.

• A bachelor's degree in geomatics engineering or survey engineering
  or
  A college diploma in survey science or geomatics technology with additional academic credits and successful completion of equivalent examinations set by a regional board of examiners for land surveyors is required.
• A one- to three-year articling period is required.
• Successful completion of professional land surveyor examinations is required.
• A federal or provincial land surveyor's licence is required.

Skills

• Directive
• Innovative
• Numerical Ability
• Detail-Oriented
• Spatial Perception

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.