SURVEYING TECHNICIAN

http://www.ceg.org.uk/info/Surveying+Technician+or+Technical+Surveyor.htm

SURVEYING TECHNICIAN OR TECHNICAL SURVEYOR

The Work

Works under supervision of a professional surveyor, or architect, or civil engineer.
Carries out delegated tasks to provide technical support to the professionals.
Works at technician level within the same range of branches as chartered surveyors.

Quantity Surveying Technician

Uses architects’ drawings to work out costings for building projects.
Monitors site work so that payment can be made to building contractors.

Building Surveying Technician

Helps to design new structures
Checks for faults in existing structures
Draws plans and prepares contracts
Organises schedule of building site operations
May advise on building regulations.

Land Surveying Technician

Carries out preliminary surveys for projects
May collate material from various sources to provide cartographers with specifications for maps.

General or Rural Practice Surveying Technician

May manage estates, negotiate land sales, evaluate property,

Surveying technicians spend most of their time in the office, but there may be some visits to building sites. While on site, hard hats and other safety gear will be worn and there might be some climbing on scaffolding. There may be some evening or weekend work.

Entry

There are two main entry routes:

There may be openings through Skillseekers/Modern Apprenticeship with on and off the job training leading to Higher National Diploma/Higher National Certificate in the appropriate branch of Surveying.
HND Building Surveying, Planning and General Practice Surveying or Quantity Surveying may be taken full time before entering a job. Usual entry requirement is 2 Highers.

For membership of the Society of Surveying Technicians, applicants must have HNC/HND in Surveying, pass the Joint Test of Competence and have several years' practical experience.
It is helpful to have the Useful Subjects, Core Skills and Personal Qualities listed in the following sections.
Surveying Technicians should be fit enough to carry out site inspections.
Employers welcome applications from males and females, people from all ethnic groups and people with disabilities.

Useful Subjects

The subjects required by employers, colleges and universities vary. However, many subjects that you can take at school or college will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed for this area of work.

Among the useful subjects you can study at Standard Grade and/or Higher Still are:

English and/or Communication
Mathematics
Accounting and Finance
Graphic Communication
Technological Studies Among the more specialised subjects within Higher Still which could be useful are: Business Education – Accounting and Finance
Design, Engineering and Technology – Building and Architectural Engineering

Core Skills

These five core skills are needed in all jobs and are also useful in your personal life.

Core Skills	Description
Communication	Use speaking and listening skills when discussing work matters with colleagues and managers. Follow spoken and written instructions carefully and accurately.
Information Technology	Use computer databases and programs to hold information and keep records, and to produce drawings. Use e-mail to communicate with colleagues, and the Internet for research purposes.
Numeracy	Use and understand plans and diagrams of sites and other areas of land. Use number skills to measure areas, calculate quantities and work out costs.
Problem Solving	Analyse the tasks to be undertaken and plan how best they can be completed. Review and evaluate the outcomes and recommend appropriate changes.
Working with Others	Work closely with colleagues as part of a team to achieve the agreed goals. Take personal responsibility for own tasks. If in a senior position, negotiate and allocate tasks as well as completing own tasks.

Personal Qualities

Practical aptitude
Safety awareness
Dependability
Drawing aptitude
Accuracy when attending to detail
Ability to work to deadlines and remain calm when working under pressure

Career Development

There are openings for Surveying Technicians with surveying firms, building contractors, civil engineering companies and property developers, as well as in the public sector: local authorities and the Civil Service. Once you have gained experience on the job and have developed your skills, you may be able to move on. Gaining qualifications, such as those mentioned in the Entry section, will help your progression to a supervisory position. Many employers encourage technicians to further their qualifications by working towards becoming a qualified Chartered Surveyor.

Further Information

You will find detailed information about this job in the Careers Library Classification Index under the section

UM: Surveying and related work.

The Progress database will be helpful for information about Higher Still. It can be accessed from the home page of this database.

You are strongly advised to discuss your ideas with your careers or employment adviser, guidance teacher or student adviser.

Advice is also available from Careersline by calling free on 0800 44 22 22.

Address

The following organisation may be able to provide further information.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland
9 Manor Place
Edinburgh
EH3 7DN
Tel: 0131 225 7078
Fax: 0131 226 3599
E-mail: jsaridakis@rics.org.uk
Web: www.rics.org.uk
or www.rics-scotland.org.uk

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