I was an instrument man for a few years with the same company here in the Florida panhandle, I'd like to move up the ladder at some point, but I was laid off a year or so back when business slowed. I'm actually not sure what the title "instrument man" generally entails, I wasn't just a button pusher with no concept of what I was doing out in the field. I've done a lot of studying as of late and plan to at least take the LSIT exam in the near future as well, hoping that will improve my resume.
What is typical protocol for being hired on as a party chief with a company who you've never worked for? Would I likely be brought on as just an I-man at first until I prove myself?
My first job surveying was, like everyone, as "rodman". On the afternoon of the first day I trained the party chief on how to take level notes. No kidding. A few months later I was in the office full time drafting mortgage certificates. It was 1989, and an ability to swap floppies in the right order to load DOS was an in demand skill.
A year and a half later, at my next employment, my job description was "instrument man". But there was no party chief on the crew. I had a "helper" who was known as the "chainman".
Job after that my title was "City Surveyor". I was overqualified for that job. 'Nuff said.
My next job I was again "instrument man" and this time there was a party chief, but there wasn't always a rodman. So it goes.
Then there was another year as instrument man with no party chief. I spent a lot of that time drafting mortgage certs and calc'ing house layouts.
Then a big move to "Field Manager" for 2 years, almost all of which was spent in the office. During this period I got my LSIT, never having been, officially at least, a Party Chief.
Next I finally got a job where my job description was Party Chief. HOOOO-HOOO!! After 2 months of that I was brought into the office as Survey Tech.
9 months later I was licensed as a PLS. For the nearly 16 years since my job description has been "Project Surveyor" or "Project Manager" or "Survey Manager".
So I've been in this business for just shy of 25 years, and spent a few days under 2 months as a Party Chief.
It all about what you can do, not what they call you.
Excellent post, thank you. I didn't realize job titles were so flexible in this line of work.
Learning office skills - CAD and calcs, etc. - will help you land a job. There is still a shortage of such people.
I know AutoCAD pretty well (my efficiency needs some polishing), but I'm hoping not to get stuck in an office job as I enjoy the outdoors aspect of surveying much more.
Don't get hung up on titles but rather the resposibility of your position. The smaller the firrm the more diverse your work will tend to be as you may wear many hats. I took clsses in septic systems, soils, construction inspection and AutoCAD.
I started with Acad Release 10 which was DOS based. Took 30 straight weeks first Introduction and then Advanced on Friday nights from 6-9PM. I was 40 years old at the time.
The last position and the one I hold now were because of Acad knowledge. I always was the one to "volunteer" for these classes and such and ibn the long run it paid off for many of my co-workers are no longer in this field at all.
Norman's story tells a path to licensure that does not exist in NJ any longer with the present 4 year degree requirement as with many other ststes. So a long term committment to education may be your only route to being licensed.
Define "A Lot Of Studying"?
Formal or self education?
What is the Florida LSIT requirement?
It is easier to get a job if you have a job. That being said I do not have enough information on the FL job market.
More likely the CST would be your next step.
Paul in PA
My experience is similar to Norman's post. My title never meant much. I guess technically I was a rodman for what felt like eternity, then got promoted straight to party chief with a guy got fired.
When the time comes time to apply for LSIT, be truthful about your knowledge and responsibilities. Show progressive responsibility even if your title didn't change along with your hands-on education. Like Norman said, it's not what they call you, it's what you know. I know guys that got licensed and were never a part chief. I know a few that only had 6 months or so field experience at all. Nearly all there time was drafting in the office. (Disclaimer: I do not recommend this!)
As for applying to be a party chief at a new company, go for it. If you tell the potential employer that you were an I-man at your last job but want to be a party chief now, he should ask you enough to see if you are qualified to do it. Never hurts to apply. Take a shot.
The State of California has called me Transportation Surveyor Party Chief since 2003. TSPC requires a license in State service.
Thanks Chris, I'll keep your advice in mind.