Someone who plans to become a county surveyor will need to pursue surveying training to qualify for the job, and may need to run for office, depending on the policies in an individual county. Some counties elect their surveyors, in which case some political skills will be necessary for success in this career. Familiarity with an area is also extremely helpful, as the work can require travel to remote regions of a county as well as the potential discussion of disputes over land ownership and use.
The first step for someone who wants to become a county surveyor should be education in surveying and civil engineering. The precise requirements for the work can depend on the type of duties a surveyor is charged with by the county government. Some surveyors focus on measuring, mapping out, and recording property line information. Others may also be involved with civil engineering projects like the construction of roads and bridges.
Education in surveying is available from a number of educational institutions, as is civil engineer training. It can also be helpful to look into internships in the industry. A county surveyor's office may have intern openings, as can survey firms and other companies with an interest in civil engineering. This can provide valuable experience for a resume. A student who plans to become a county surveyor may also want to peruse the specific requirements for an individual county to make sure they will be met.
Whether someone applies or is elected to become a county surveyor, experience is critical. After graduation, students can apply for examinations to become qualified surveyors and can start to pursue work in the public or private sector to build up experience. This work can include being on survey crews as well as working in an office to record information. When a county surveyor position becomes available, a qualified applicant can pursue it.
In the case of an appointed position, an applicant to become a county surveyor may need to take the civil service examination and will also need to provide experience and reference information. The county typically holds several interviews with different personnel to determine if a prospective surveyor is a good fit. It can help to have prior experience in the surveying office. For elections, candidates will need to get on the ballot and run a campaign, which can include household visits, posters and fliers, and other measures to connect with voters and convince them to cast their support behind a candidate.
