Utility Surveyor Job Description
Hire a Utility Surveyor to locate, record and map underground services accurately before excavation and construction. A strong candidate will combine field surveying skills, equipment operation and clear technical reporting to reduce risk on site.
What does a Utility Surveyor professional do?
A Utility Surveyor locates and documents underground utilities using techniques such as GPR and electromagnetic locating, producing maps and reports to support safe excavation and construction works.
Utility Surveyor job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Utility Surveyor
About the role
[Company Name] is recruiting a Utility Surveyor to carry out underground services surveys for construction and civils projects in the [Insert Location] area. You will use locating and mapping tools, produce clear GIS-compatible plans and reports, and liaise with project teams and clients to ensure safe excavation. This is a [full-time/part-time], [permanent/contract] role. Salary: [Insert salary or range].
Key responsibilities
- Plan and prepare utility survey briefs using available records and client instructions.
- Conduct on-site detection and verification of underground services using GPR, electromagnetic locators, cable avoidance tools and other survey equipment.
- Record findings, mark up site plans and produce accurate maps and CAD/GIS deliverables suitable for construction teams.
- Produce concise technical reports, including risk notes and recommendations for safe excavation.
- Liaise with clients, contractors, and other stakeholders to clarify records, share findings and advise on mitigation measures.
- Coordinate with site teams to verify exposed services where required and update drawings accordingly.
- Maintain, calibrate and report faults for survey equipment; keep field data organised and backed up.
- Follow health and safety procedures, site permit requirements and local utility company protocols at all times.
Essential skills and experience
- Practical experience conducting utility/underground services surveys or similar field surveying work.
- Ability to operate common locating equipment (ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic locators, cable avoidance tools) and to interpret output.
- Proven experience producing clear plans, CAD or GIS files and written technical reports.
- Good understanding of health and safety on construction sites and safe digging practices.
- Valid driving licence and willingness to travel to local project sites.
- Strong communication skills for liaising with clients, contractors and colleagues.
Desirable
- Formal qualification in Surveying, Geomatics, Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
- Experience with GIS software, CAD and data export to common construction formats.
- Familiarity with HSE guidance on underground services (for example HSG47) and utility company records systems.
- Site safety training such as CSCS, SSSTS/SMSTS or other site management qualifications.
- Confined space, working-at-height or first-aid training where relevant to project work.
What we offer
- [e.g. Company pension scheme]
- [e.g. Professional development and training budget]
- [e.g. Vehicle or mileage allowance]
- [e.g. Annual leave entitlement]
- [e.g. Company-provided PPE and equipment]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is an Utility Surveyor role?
Utility Surveyors locate, map and document underground services—gas, water, electricity, telecoms and drainage—so construction and excavation can proceed safely. They combine field detection methods (such as ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic locating) with record research to produce plans, GIS/CAD deliverables and reports. Their work reduces the risk of utility strikes, informs excavation method selection and supports compliance with health and safety requirements.
Field detection & mapping
Hands-on locating of buried services using GPR, EM locators and verification techniques to create accurate site records.
Technical deliverables
Produce CAD/GIS outputs, positional data and concise reports compatible with construction workflows.
Stakeholder liaison
Work with clients, contractors and utility owners to reconcile records and advise on safe digging strategies.
Compliance & safety
Assess risks, follow site safety procedures and produce documentation needed for safe excavation.
Typical Utility Surveyor responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Plan and prepare utility survey
Plan and prepare utility survey briefs using available records and client instructions.
Conduct on-site detection
Conduct on-site detection and verification of underground services using GPR, electromagnetic locators, cable avoidance tools and other survey equipment.
Record findings
Record findings, mark up site plans and produce accurate maps and CAD/GIS deliverables suitable for construction teams.
Produce concise technical reports
Produce concise technical reports, including risk notes and recommendations for safe excavation.
Liaise with clients
Liaise with clients, contractors, and other stakeholders to clarify records, share findings and advise on mitigation measures.
Coordinate with site teams
Coordinate with site teams to verify exposed services where required and update drawings accordingly.
Maintain
Maintain, calibrate and report faults for survey equipment; keep field data organised and backed up.
Follow health
Follow health and safety procedures, site permit requirements and local utility company protocols at all times.
Utility Surveyor skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Practical experience conducting utility/underground services surveys or similar field surveying work.
- Ability to operate common locating equipment (ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic locators, cable avoidance tools) and to interpret output.
- Proven experience producing clear plans, CAD or GIS files and written technical reports.
- Good understanding of health and safety on construction sites and safe digging practices.
- Valid driving licence and willingness to travel to local project sites.
- Strong communication skills for liaising with clients, contractors and colleagues.
Useful where relevant
- Formal qualification in Surveying, Geomatics, Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
- Experience with GIS software, CAD and data export to common construction formats.
- Familiarity with HSE guidance on underground services (for example HSG47) and utility company records systems.
- Site safety training such as CSCS, SSSTS/SMSTS or other site management qualifications.
- Confined space, working-at-height or first-aid training where relevant to project work.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Utility Surveyor job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be specific about equipment and deliverables
State the locating technologies and file formats you expect (for example GPR, EM locators, CAD/GIS exports). Candidates will self-select for roles that match their technical skills.
Describe typical sites and working patterns
Explain whether surveys are urban or rural, require overnight stays, or include planned emergency call-outs so candidates understand the practical demands.
List mandatory safety and driving requirements
If a driving licence, valid CSCS card or specific safety training is required, make these clear to avoid unsuitable applications.
Include progression and training opportunities
Mention opportunities for technical upskilling, certification support or pathway to supervisory roles to attract experienced surveyors.
Utility Surveyor salary considerations
Do not quote a single national figure without context. Pay for Utility Surveyors varies widely according to experience, sector, location and responsibilities. Use the factors below when setting a salary or range.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Utility Surveyor candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What does a typical week look like?
Tell applicants how much of the role is fieldwork vs office tasks, expected travel distances and any regular overnight stays.
Which survey tools and software will I use?
List the specific GPR models, EM locators, CAD or GIS packages you expect the candidate to be familiar with.
What types of sites will I survey?
Clarify whether work is primarily urban, rural, highways, rail corridors or brownfield development sites.
What site safety provisions are in place?
Explain PPE provided, whether CSCS or other cards are required and how site inductions and permits are managed.
Is training or certification offered?
State if you support formal training, equipment familiarisation, refresher safety courses or professional membership fees.
Where to post a Utility Surveyor job
This role suits a mix of broad and specialist channels. Advertise on general UK job boards to reach field technicians, and on construction, surveying and utilities sector boards to target experienced locators and geomatics professionals. Share the vacancy with regional construction groups, professional networks and local contractor forums when the role requires local travel or knowledge of area-specific infrastructure.
Related utilities / construction / surveying & geomatics job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Utility Surveyor job description FAQs
How do I assess a candidate’s technical competence?
Ask for specific examples of past surveys, request sample deliverables (maps/reports) and include a practical field assessment or technical interview focusing on equipment use and data interpretation.
Do Utility Surveyors need specific legal licences or registrations?
There is no single legal licence for utility surveying, but site access often requires relevant safety cards (for example CSCS) and a valid driving licence. Specific sites may require additional permits or competency evidence.
Should I require HSG47 familiarity?
Knowledge of HSE guidance on avoiding danger from underground services (HSG47) is useful and often expected; list it as desirable unless the role is supervisory or compliance-focused, in which case make it essential.
What’s the difference between a utility surveyor and a cable locator?
A cable locator typically focuses on detecting and marking live services using locating tools, while a utility surveyor combines detection with record research, mapping, data processing and formal reporting for construction projects.
How long does recruitment usually take?
Allow several weeks to find experienced candidates—shortlist technical CVs, verify equipment experience, and schedule a field assessment; urgent contracts can be filled faster using specialist recruiters or sector job boards.
Ready to create your advert?
Use the template text above to publish a clear vacancy, or contact a specialist recruiter to expand your reach on sector-specific job boards and construct a tailored assessment for candidates.
