Party Chief

Party Chief Job Description

This Party Chief role leads surveying and layout activities on heavy civil construction projects ranging from $300,000 to $30 million. The position focuses on delivering accurate construction layout, grade control, and survey support for utility installation, roadway construction, and earthwork operations. You will use advanced survey instruments, machine control platforms, and survey software to ensure projects meet design specifications and construction tolerances, while coordinating closely with field crews in a fast‑paced environment.

• Lead field surveying and construction layout for heavy civil projects, including utilities, roadways, and earthwork operations.
• Perform and oversee layout for grade control to ensure accurate elevations and alignments throughout the project lifecycle.
• Use machine control platforms such as Trimble, Topcon, and Leica to support site work and GPS‑guided equipment.
• Read and interpret civil plans and digital models to translate design information into precise field layout.
• Build, edit, and maintain surface models for use in machine control and construction layout.
• Manage and coordinate 2–3‑person survey crews, ensuring safe, efficient, and accurate field operations.
• Support multiple crews and projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks and allocating survey resources effectively.
• Train operators and field crews on machine control systems and proper use of survey equipment.
• Perform drone mapping and photogrammetry tasks to support project planning, progress tracking, and as‑built documentation.
• Ensure survey work complies with FDOT and municipal construction tolerances and project specifications.
• Maintain accurate survey data, records, and files using survey software and data management systems.
• Communicate clearly with project teams, superintendents, and operators to resolve layout issues and field challenges.
• Identify and troubleshoot survey and layout problems in the field, providing timely solutions to keep projects on schedule.
• Work independently in fast‑paced field environments while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality.

• 5+ years of experience in heavy civil construction surveying and layout, preferably on utility, roadway, and earthwork projects.
• Strong understanding of civil construction methods, including utility installation, roadway construction, earthwork operations, and grade control.
• Hands‑on experience with machine control platforms such as Trimble, Topcon, and Leica.
• Proficiency with survey software and data management systems for handling field data, models, and project files.
• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, construction drawings, and digital models for accurate field layout.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with field crews, equipment operators, and project teams.
• Proven problem‑solving skills to address survey and layout issues in the field.
• Ability to work independently in fast‑paced field environments while managing multiple priorities.
• Experience managing 2–3‑person survey crews in a construction setting.
• Experience working on projects in the $300,000 to $30 million range.

• Experience building and editing surface models for machine control and construction layout.
• Drone mapping and photogrammetry experience for project documentation and analysis.
• Knowledge of FDOT and municipal construction tolerances and requirements.
• Experience supporting multiple survey crews and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to train operators and field crews on machine control systems and survey best practices.
• Experience working with technologies such as Trimble site work systems and Topcon field solutions.

This is an onsite, field‑based role within a long‑established heavy civil construction organization that has been operating since the 1970s and employs approximately 150 people, including a small, specialized surveying department. You will typically work a schedule of 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with occasional Saturday work as project needs require, and can expect to work approximately 50–60 hours per week.

The environment is fast‑paced and…