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Cadastral Surveyors in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are the only federal surveyors with congressional authority to perform surveys on public lands. Although state licensure is not required it is strongly encouraged in all state offices. Incumbents are performing difficult and complex professional cadastral survey work involving all aspects of field and office duties. A comprehensive training package is provided for all entry level surveyors following permanent appointment. At the journeymen level, it is expected that the surveyor will be performed surveys with little direct supervision and may also lead a group of subordinates in survey activities.

To qualify for a cadastral surveyor position with BLM, applicants must have a degree in land surveying or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis; or combination of education and experience; or a current registration as a land surveyor in a State, territory, or the District of Columbia obtained by written examination.

Knowledge of:

• Fundamental surveying, mathematics, and basic science as applied to surveying.
• Methods of precise survey measuring.
• Use and adjustment of precision surveying instruments.
• Procedures, equipment, and materials used in surveying, including conventional and state-of-the-art.
• Mapping and drafting techniques.
• Mathematics and procedures used in plane and geodetic surveying.
• Computer applications and usage.
• Photogrammetric mapping procedures.
• Principles and practices of boundary determination, land title research and surveying.
• Legal descriptions of real property.
• Methods and terminology used in searching for land titles and factors involved in determining ownership of property.
• Real property acquisition and mapping laws pertaining to public and private ownership of real property.
• Monumentation.
• The Land Surveyors’ Act, Subdivision Map Act and other statutes related to land surveying.
• Methods, equipment and materials used in the surveying and mapping of Federal lands.
• Computers and state-of-the-art surveying and related equipment.
• Geographic Information Systems

Ability to:

• Perform complex field and office surveying work.
• Make precise survey measurements.
• Interpret legal descriptions of real property.
• Make and interpret difficult survey calculations.
• Research, analyze, check and adjust survey data.
• Research and compile evidence and documentation or boundary determination.
• Assist in the planning, direction and coordination of survey projects and crews.
• Do mapping and drafting.
• Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
• Prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence.
• Write property descriptions and prepare legal land documents and descriptions.
• Operate precise surveying instruments (conventional and state-of-the-art); establish and maintain friendly, business-like relations with those contacts in the course of the work.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Typically, BLM recruits potential surveyors through the Student Education Employment Program as Student Career Employment Program (SCEP) or Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) participants. On completion of the Land Surveyor Trainee component employees are converted to an entry level Cadastral Surveyor position. Promotion potential to the journeyman level and beyond comes quickly to the employee who remains flexible in their work location. This is your opportunity to become a member of the BLM family in an exciting and rewarding job with promotional opportunities and great benefits.

It is a planned and progressive educational program that offers you many advantages. You can combine your academic students with on-the-job experience. The Student Educational Employment Program (SEEP) consists of two programs the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) and the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP).

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) provides temporary Federal employment to qualified students. Positions are covered by one-year renewable appointments. The duties do not have to relate to your academic career goals. Pay and Benefits: As a STEP participant, your rate of pay will depend upon your current education, work experience and other position requirements. You will also be entitled to other benefits including paid vacation days, holidays and sick leave.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) provides valuable work experience directly related to your academic field of study. SCEP is designed to be a partnership between you, your school, and the Bureau. SCEP combines academic classroom learning with practical, on-the-job experience that provides you with a paid work experience in your field of study. An important benefit of the SCEP is that it may lead to permanent employment after the completion of the education and work requirements of the program. The duties of the work experience must be related to your academic career goals. Pay and Benefits: As a SCEP participant, your initial rate of pay will depend upon your education and work experience. You will also be entitled to other benefits including paid vacation days, holidays and sick leave; health and life insurance, and retirement/investment plans. You may also be eligible for training and tuition assistance.

Conversion to Permanent Employment:

Upon successful completion of all your work study and degree requirements, you will be eligible to be converted noncompetitively to a permanent position within 120 calendar days of graduation.

Eligibility to Participate in SEEP Program:

• Be at least 16 years of age and a student enrolled or accepted for enrollment to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree;
• Taking at least half-time course work in an accredited high school, technical, or vocational school, 2- or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school and maintain good academic standing.
• Are a U.S. citizen. Non citizens may qualify in the absence of interested, qualified U.S. citizens and are eligible to work under U.S. immigration laws. NOTE: U.S. citizenship IS required for conversion to permanent employment.

Following is the promotional career path of a Land Surveyor without adjustment for locality differences:

• Land Surveyor Trainee
  GS - 04
  GS - 05
• Cadastral Surveyor
  GS - 07
  GS - 09
  GS - 11
• Land Surveyor (Supervisory)
  GS - 12
• Chief of Field Land Surveys
  GS - 13
• Chief Cadastral Surveyor
  GS - 14

For more information on job opportunities contact

This page was created by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Colorado State Office 2850 Youngfield Street Lakewood, Colorado 80215

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