Chu Cho Industries

Surveyor/QC (Experienced Field Engineer)

Prince George, BC

Temporary, Full-time, Fixed term contract

About This Job

Company Overview

Chu Cho Industries LP. (CCI) is a leading resource and heavy construction company specializing in the forestry, mining, and transportation sectors. With a strong commitment to quality and safety, we focus on timber harvesting, road construction, and the operation of resource camps, primarily within the Mackenzie TSA.

We are searching for a Surveyor/QC professional for a large construction project in the Tsay Keh Dene territory from July to September.

Position Summary

The Surveyor/QC role, often filled by an experienced Field Engineer, is critical for ensuring that all earthworks and concrete structures are built in the correct location and to the correct specifications. On a BC Hydro civil project, this person handles construction surveying (layout and as-built measurements) and quality control (verifying that work meets design criteria and quality standards). They bridge the gap between design drawings and field execution, making sure the project’s technical requirements are met through precise measurements and inspections.

Responsibilities

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Conduct construction layout and surveying for the project. This involves interpreting engineering drawings and using surveying instruments to mark reference points, alignments, and elevations on the ground. The Surveyor/Field Engineer uses tools like total stations, GPS units, and laser levels to stake out points for excavation lines, pile locations, formwork positions, anchor bolt layouts, etc. They ensure that structures (such as concrete foundations, columns, tunnels) are located exactly where they should be horizontally and vertically.

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Establish and maintain control points and benchmarks. At the start of the project, they set up permanent survey control (known coordinates and elevations) around the site. All subsequent measurements tie back to these controls. They protect these points and check them regularly (settlement or disturbance can occur in large earthworks sites). If additional control points are needed as the site expands, they add and document them.

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Perform precise leveling and alignment checks. For earthworks, they check that final grades and slopes are correct by surveying the surface (topo shots) and comparing to design elevations. For concrete and structural work, they verify formwork or steel placement before concrete is poured – ensuring, for example, that a footing is at the correct elevation and that anchor bolts are in the right plan location within tolerance. They may stretch strings or use laser plummets to double-check alignments of formwork or structural elements.

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Monitor construction progress with periodic surveys (as-built surveys). After critical activities, they survey the resulting work: e.g., measure the actual volume of a excavation dug vs. planned, or the actual top-of-concrete elevation of a poured slab. These as-built measurements are documented and compared against the design to ensure compliance. Any deviations are reported so they can be corrected or approved by engineers. For instance, if an as-built survey finds a backfilled grade is 5 cm low, additional fill can be placed before the next activity.

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Quality control inspections and testing coordination. The Field Engineer portion of the role means they also keep an eye on material and workmanship quality. They might coordinate soil compaction tests (densities) by a materials technician or perform in-situ density tests (using methods like a sand cone or nuclear gauge) to ensure earthworks meet compaction specs. They ensure concrete testing is occurring – that concrete deliveries are sampled for slump, air content, and cylinders for compressive strength tests, according to the QA/QC plan. They maintain a log of all tests and results.

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Verify compliance with project specifications and tolerances. For each element, there are allowable tolerances (e.g., +/- a few millimeters on anchor bolt spacing, or a few centimeters on grading). The surveyor/QC checks that work is within these tolerances. If not, they document the non-conformance. They might issue corrective instructions – for example, if a footing is poured slightly out of position, they could instruct the crew to adjust the column formwork to compensate, within engineering approval.

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Provide guidance to construction crews for accuracy. This could mean working closely with the foremen and craft workers: answering questions like “how much farther do we excavate?” or “is this form at the right height?” They often physically mark cut/fill requirements on surfaces (spray painting “-0.2m” to indicate more excavation needed, for example). If a crew is setting screed rails for a slab, the surveyor might help set the correct elevation on those rails. They serve as a technical resource on-site.

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Maintain detailed documentation of survey data and QC records. They keep field books or digital data logs of every survey performed (coordinates, offsets, calculations). Additionally, they compile inspection reports, non-conformance reports (NCRs) if needed, and daily reports summarizing QC activities. They may use software (like AutoCAD or civil engineering software) to update drawings with as-built information or to calculate volumes of earth moved. Good record-keeping is essential so that at project’s end, there is a clear trace of what was built and verified.

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Coordinate inspections and testing with third parties. On many projects, an independent engineer or inspector must sign off certain things (for example, a surveyor might work with a registered land surveyor for legal site boundaries, or coordinate with geotechnical engineers for subsurface inspections). The Surveyor/QC schedules these and ensures the site is ready for them. For example, they might arrange a concrete pre-pour inspection with the structural engineer, walking through the site to check rebar and embedded items prior to pouring.

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Assist with design modifications and problem-solving. If during surveying or inspections they discover that design drawings don’t quite fit reality (perhaps a conflict in elevations or an unexpected site condition), they bring this to the attention of the project engineers. As an experienced field engineer, they might propose solutions or adjustments. For instance, if a conduit stub-up is slightly off from where a wall is supposed to go, they identify the issue and help adjust the layout or suggest a minor design change to accommodate it.

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Final as-built surveys and documentation. At project completion, they conduct comprehensive as-built surveys of all major work – recording the exact location of structures, final ground elevations, etc., producing as-built drawings. This is critical for turnover to operations (BC Hydro will want accurate drawings of the finished facility). They ensure the as-built data is accurate and complete for all earthworks and concrete works, providing a permanent record.

Qualifications

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Education: A degree or diploma in civil engineering, geomatics (surveying) or a related field is typically required. An experienced field engineer would ideally be an Engineering Technologist or have a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering. In lieu of a degree, extensive experience in surveying with progressively increasing responsibility can suffice, but given the QC aspect, engineering knowledge is very important.

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Professional certifications: While not always mandatory, having or working towards professional credentials enhances credibility. For example, registration as an E.I.T. (Engineer in Training) or P.Eng. (Professional Engineer) for a civil engineer, or as a Land Surveyor in Training / commissioned BCLS (BC Land Surveyor) for those focused on surveying, can be advantageous. Certification in construction surveying or specific training (e.g., CSTS and other safety certs) is also valuable. A Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license is typically required only if legal property boundaries are involved, but not for routine construction layout – however, a strong surveying background is needed.

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Experience: Significant field experience on construction sites, ideally 5+ years as a surveyor or field engineer in heavy civil projects. The “experienced” qualifier means this person should have been through multiple project cycles and is familiar with earthworks and concrete QA/QC processes. Experience on similar projects (earthworks, concrete, fencing, site grading & gravelling, grounding grids, etc.,) is a big plus because they will know the challenges (e.g., surveying long slopes, dealing with large concrete structures).

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Technical proficiency in surveying equipment and software. Mastery of instruments such as total stations (manual and robotic), GPS survey units, and digital levels. They should also be skilled in using survey data software (like Leica Geo Office, Trimble Business Center, or Civil 3D) to download data, calculate coordinates, and prepare stakeout info. AutoCAD or other CAD ability is often required to update drawings with as-built conditions or to prepare shop drawing layouts. They might also use specialized QA/QC software or spreadsheets for tracking test results and inspections.

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Strong mathematical and analytical skills. Surveying and QC work require math for calculating coordinates, volumes, and adjustments. The field engineer must be comfortable with geometry and algebra, for tasks like computing intersections, slopes, or doing error adjustments in traverse loops. Analytically, they should be able to interpret technical specifications and ensure field results comply.

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Thorough knowledge of construction materials and methods. Understanding how earthworks are done (e.g., layer compaction, types of fill), how concrete is placed and cured, and how structures are built enables them to anticipate what needs to be checked. They should know standards and codes relevant to the project (for example, CSA standards for concrete, ASTM/AASHTO standards for soil compaction). Being familiar with quality standards (like CSA A23.1 for concrete, or project-specific QC plans) is necessary to enforce them.

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Attention to detail and precision. This role demands a very high level of accuracy; a small mistake in survey or overlooked detail in QC can cause costly rework. The individual’s background should show the ability to be precise – for example, references might note their careful work or low error rates. They must be meticulous in checking their data and calculations, and in reviewing work against specs.

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Communication and leadership skills. An experienced field engineer often leads a small survey crew (perhaps with junior surveyors or helpers) and interacts with site supervisors and the design team regularly. They need to communicate instructions clearly to survey assistants (like how to hold the rod or where to move the prism), and also effectively communicate findings or issues to project managers and foremen. Writing skills are important for clear, concise reports. Being assertive yet professional is key when they have to point out a non-conformance to a construction superintendent.

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Problem-solving ability. Field conditions can introduce surprises – the Surveyor/QC should be resourceful in solving alignment issues, figuring out why a measurement doesn’t look right, or reconciling discrepancies between drawings and reality. Their qualifications should include the ability to work independently to troubleshoot (like resectioning a position if a control point is lost, or quickly re-calculating an offset in the field if a structure had to shift).

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Familiarity with safety regulations for field work. Since they work around excavations and heavy equipment while doing surveys or inspections, they should be trained in construction safety (often possessing a valid CSO/CEC – Construction Safety Officer or equivalent training). They might also need confined space or fall protection training if they have to survey inside tanks or climb formwork for checks. A valid driver’s license is usually required since they may need to drive around a large site to various survey locations.

Skills

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Precision surveying skills – ability to achieve very high accuracy in measurements. This includes proper instrument setup (leveling the total station, zeroing out backsight, applying the correct prism constants), performing calculations for horizontal and vertical curves, and running closed loops to check that there is minimal error accumulation in their surveys. They can handle complex survey tasks like laying out a circular curve for a road or aligning a series of anchor bolts within a 1–2 mm tolerance.

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Data analysis and adjustment – skilled in analyzing survey data and making adjustments if needed. For example, after a network of control points is established, they can adjust the network if there are minor errors, distributing any misclosure evenly. They are also adept at volume calculations (comparing DTMs – digital terrain models – from before and after surveys to compute how much earth was moved) and can cross-check these against truck counts or contractor claims as part of QC cost control.

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Use of advanced technology – beyond basic surveying, they might employ GPS RTK for rapid site coverage, or even drones (UAVs) for surveying large areas quickly. A skilled Surveyor/Field Engineer can integrate drone photogrammetry or LiDAR scans into their workflow, generating point clouds and extracting useful information for the project. They ensure any high-tech method they use is properly calibrated and verified by ground truth points.

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Quality control inspection techniques – expertise in various QC methods: knowing how to properly perform a concrete slump test, how to take concrete cylinder samples and handle them, how to use a rebound hammer for concrete surface hardness, or how to read a proctor compaction curve and compare it to field compaction results. As a QC specialist, they are skilled in identifying defects (like honeycombing in concrete, or segregation in asphalt if applicable) and determining their extent. They also understand when something is acceptable or when it truly needs repair, avoiding unnecessary rework by interpreting specs wisely.

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Problem identification and resolution – a knack for catching issues early. For example, noticing if formwork is starting to bow out before a pour and alerting the crew, or detecting survey discrepancies like two stakeout points that don’t line up and investigating the source of error. Their skill is not just measuring, but actively ensuring quality: “surveying continues throughout construction with monitoring and quality control checks”. If settlement or movement is detected via monitoring (e.g., an embankment settling more than expected), they bring it to engineering attention promptly.

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Interdisciplinary coordination – skill in liaising between design and construction. They must translate design drawings (which may be in complex CAD layers) into understandable information for the site crew (like simple stakes and marks). Conversely, they translate site conditions back to the designers (e.g., providing as-built data or raising RFI – Requests for Information – questions when something doesn’t fit). Their communication skill is partly technical – being fluent in the “language” of both engineers and trades.

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Time management and adaptability – managing a schedule where multiple crews need layout at once. A skilled surveyor field engineer prioritizes requests: if the concrete crew needs a line now for formwork and the earthworks crew needs a grade check, they assess criticality and coordinate to handle both (possibly delegating or scheduling an additional hand). They adapt to project changes; if a pour is accelerated, they might have to work extra to stake inserts or check rebar quickly. Their planning ensures they cover all needs – sometimes working early hours or nights to survey areas when construction activity is minimal (for safety or accuracy).

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Attention to safety and regulations in surveying – unique skill of ensuring surveying itself doesn’t create hazards. They know how to set up instruments out of the way of machinery (perhaps on a high tripod or a safe platform), use spotters if needed when taking shots in active zones, and avoid looking through the instrument towards welding (to protect equipment and eyes). Also, they ensure any temporary survey markers don’t become tripping hazards or impalement hazards (e.g., they’ll cap rebar used as stakes). As a QC engineer, they understand they have authority to stop work if something is grossly out of spec or unsafe – and they use that authority judiciously to uphold safety and quality.

We thank all those who apply, however only selected applicants will be contacted to proceed with the recruitment process.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 3 months

Pay: $45.00-$50.00 per hour

Additional pay:

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Overtime pay

Flexible language requirement:

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French not required

Schedule:

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12 hour shift

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Overtime

Experience:

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Surveying: 5 years (preferred)

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Quality Control: 5 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2025-07-07