Land Surveyor
OFO No: 216502
Other names for a Surveyor:
- Aerial Photographic Interpreter
- Aerial Surveyor
- Cadastral Records Advisor
- Cadastral Survey Advisor
- Cadastral Surveyor
- Geodetic Surveyor
- Geometric Engineer
- Geometrician
- Hydro Charting Advisor
- Hydrographic Survey Advisor
- Hydrographic Surveyor
- Land Surveyor
- Mine Surveyor
- Photogrammetric Surveyor
- Photogrammetrist
- Surveying and Mapping Specialist
- Surveying Technologist
- Topographer and Hydrographer
Youtube clip – Your career as a Land Surveyor
For training options in South Africa – scroll down
What is a Land Surveyor?
A Land Surveyor is a professional person who surveys the land (townships and farms), buildings and roads to determine existing boundaries or to create new ones. These boundaries determine the rights to that land or property. Land Surveyors play a key role in land development and reform and work closely with town planners, architects and engineers.
Land Surveyors are most commonly seen with technical measuring instruments called theodolites.Land Surveyors can work for themselves and contract out, work for government or work for a land surveying or construction company.
What does a Land Surveyor do?
- researches projects and does field studies before measuring takes place
- takes precise measurements
- documents elevation changes and heights
- double-checks measurements
- determines borders and boundaries
- travels between sites
- documents measurements and captures info on computers
- works out detailed mathematical formulas
- prepares plans to shows boundaries with measurements including distance and heights
- works with GPS devices, scanning tools and other technical instruments
Are you . . . ?
- interested in construction?
- keen to work mainly outdoors?
- observant?
- accurate?
- detail orientated?
- computer literate?
- mathematically minded?
- a team player?
- able to work long hours on your own, sometimes in rural areas?
- fit and active?
- methodical and organised?
- reliable?
How do I become a Land Surveyor?
PATH 1
Bachelor of Science degree in Surveying
- University of Cape Town
- University of KZN
- 300 work days of training in workplace after qualifying
- Designation: Only fully qualified surveyors may use the title: Professional Land Surveyor
TRAINING:
- CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
- Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
- To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions.
- SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SURVEYORS (PLATO)
Supplies a list of all the institutions and contact people of where you can study Land Surveying
http://www.plato.org.za/5studywhere.php
All qualified surveyors must be registered with PLATO.
OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Agriculture Food Scientist or Forester
Is becoming a Land Surveyor the right career choice for me?
