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How a surveying / mapping technician can use AI, task by task

O*NET 17-3031.00: Surveying and Mapping TechniciansMedian pay $54,240/year (BLS, May 2025)30 tasksJob Zone 3: Medium preparation

Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Field Surveyor, Land Survey Technician (Land Survey Tech), Land Surveyor, Mapping Editor, Mapping Technician (Mapping Tech), Photogrammetric Technician (Photogrammetric Tech), Rodman, Stereoplotter Operator, Survey Technician (Survey Tech), Surveying Technician (Surveying Tech).

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 21%AI-assist 38%Stays human 40%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 6 AI-ready, 12 AI-assist and 12 human-led tasks out of 30. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.Crunch the numbers · Daily
  2. Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.Handle the admin · Daily
  3. Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.Review & check · Daily

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information.Hands-on work · Daily
  2. Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments.Watch & inspect · Weekly
  3. Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.Hands-on work · Weekly

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

AI can draft these 6

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.

Daily

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel and ESRI ArcGIS software; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Survey data: [paste measurements]
Goal: [positions, areas, elevations]

Walk through computations and formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Survey data computation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you calculate latitudes, longitudes and angles (today).
Step 2Fill in [Survey data] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Calculate geographic positions from survey data..

Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.

Daily

AI handles forms, records and routine paperwork for you to verify.

Show prompt & steps

Forms, records, data entry, scheduling and routine paperwork are where AI saves the most time. It drafts, sorts, extracts and reformats while you verify.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, or land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Access.
Data: [GPS, court info]
System: [describe]

List entry steps and checks. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Code entry

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds (today).
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [System] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Enter codes or other information into computers.. Also involves: Create graphical representations of structures or landscapes..

Complete detailed source and method notes describing the location of routine or complex land parcels.

Weekly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to complete detailed source and method notes describing the location of routine or complex land parcels.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
Design: [building, structure, system, survey]
Details to record: [specs, materials, dimensions, data]

Draft a design specification document with sections, tables and a revision log. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Design documentation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you complete detailed source and method notes describing the location (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Design] and [Details to record] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross-check every number against the drawings or survey data.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Document technical design details..

Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.

Weekly

AI is a tireless first-pass checker.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 48% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a tireless proofreader. It catches inconsistencies, missing fields and errors across documents and data, so your review time goes on what matters.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Calculations: [paste survey or measurement data and results]
Method: [formulas used]

Recheck the math step by step and flag discrepancies. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

10-minute exercise: Calculation check

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you compare survey computations (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Calculations] and [Method] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Do your usual review too, and note what AI caught and what it missed.

AI can miss things and sound sure about it. Use it to catch extra problems, not as the final check.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Verify mathematical calculations..

Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification.

Weekly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel and ESRI ArcGIS software; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Survey data: [paste measurements]
Goal: [positions, areas, elevations]

Walk through computations and formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Survey data computation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you compare topographical features or contour lines (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Survey data] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Calculate geographic positions from survey data..

Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures or adjustments, azimuths, level runs, or placement of markers.

Weekly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures or adjustments, azimuths, level runs, or placement of markers.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel and ESRI ArcGIS software; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Survey data: [paste measurements]
Goal: [positions, areas, elevations]

Walk through computations and formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Survey data computation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you perform calculations (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Survey data] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Calculate geographic positions from survey data..

AI can help you prep these 12

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.

Daily

AI pre-checks against the rules; the sign-off stays with you.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI as a first-pass checker against a list of rules or standards. The final judgment and sign-off stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Design or specs: [describe]
Standards: [list]

Review conformance and recommend changes. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

10-minute exercise: Design quality review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you check all layers of maps (today).
Step 2Fill in [Design or specs] and [Standards] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Do your usual review too, and note what AI caught and what it missed.

AI can miss things and sound sure about it. Use it to catch extra problems, not as the final check.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality..

Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.

Weekly

AI pre-checks against the rules; the sign-off stays with you.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI as a first-pass checker against a list of rules or standards. The final judgment and sign-off stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Visio; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Process: [describe]
Standards: [security, technical, quality]

Make a compliance checklist and flag likely gaps. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

10-minute exercise: Process compliance check

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor mapping work or the updating of maps (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Process] and [Standards] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Do your usual review too, and note what AI caught and what it missed. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI can miss things and sound sure about it. Use it to catch extra problems, not as the final check.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Monitor processes for compliance with standards..

Search for section corners, property irons, or survey points.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to search for section corners, property irons, or survey points.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel and ESRI ArcGIS software; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Task: [locate corners, zones]
Data: [GPS, survey records]

Walk through the calculation or method. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Coordinate determination

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you search for section corners and property irons (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Task] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Determine geographic coordinates..

Prepare topographic or contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.

Weekly

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to prepare topographic or contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.

Context: We use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Site: [land, aerial area]
Purpose: [development, mapping]

Outline map layers, features and specs. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Site plan or map

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare topographic or contour maps of land (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Site] and [Purpose] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Create maps..

Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.

Weekly

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.

Context: We use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Site: [land, aerial area]
Purpose: [development, mapping]

Outline map layers, features and specs. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Site plan or map

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you determine scales (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Site] and [Purpose] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Create maps..

Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.

Weekly

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Access.
System: [database, CAD]
Task: [describe]

Write a quick-reference guide. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Computer system workflow

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you operate and manage land-information computer systems (this week).
Step 2Fill in [System] and [Task] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Operate computer systems..

Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.

Weekly

AI drafts scripts and configs; design and security are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 53% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft configurations, scripts and test cases and explain unfamiliar systems. Architecture and security decisions need your expertise.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.

Context: We use Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA and Microsoft Visual Basic; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Tool: [what it should do]
Stack: [language, platform]
Constraints: [security, performance]

Propose a design, then code with tests and security notes. Propose the approach first, then the code with comments and tests, and point out security risks.

10-minute exercise: Build a tool

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design or develop information databases (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Tool], [Stack] and [Constraints] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Run the tests and read every line.

Don't paste secrets, passwords or proprietary code into tools your employer hasn't approved.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop software or computer applications..

Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.

Context: We use Geomechanical design analysis GDA software and Bentley Systems InRoads Suite; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Project: [testing, analysis]
My tasks: [describe]

List prep steps and data to collect. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Research assistance plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide assistance (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [My tasks] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Confirm the plan with the engineer or scientist.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Assist engineers or scientists with research..

Answer questions and provide information to the public or to staff members regarding assessment maps, surveys, boundaries, easements, property ownership, roads, zoning, or similar matters.

Weekly

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to answer questions and provide information to the public or to staff members regarding assessment maps, surveys, boundaries, easements, property ownership, roads, zoning, or similar matters.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Project: [design, data]
Audience: [public, agencies]

Write key points and FAQ answers. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Project explanation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you answer questions (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Explain project details to the general public..

Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.

Weekly

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.

Context: We use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Site: [land, aerial area]
Purpose: [development, mapping]

Outline map layers, features and specs. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Site plan or map

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you produce or update overlay maps (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Site] and [Purpose] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Create maps..

Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes.

Weekly

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes.

Context: We use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Site: [land, aerial area]
Purpose: [development, mapping]

Outline map layers, features and specs. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Site plan or map

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you trace contours or topographic details (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Site] and [Purpose] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Create maps..

Prepare cost estimates for mapping projects.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to prepare cost estimates for mapping projects.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Visio; the work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Project: [describe]
Inputs: [time, materials, fees]

Build a budget table with timeline. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Project budget estimate

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare cost estimates (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Inputs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Estimate costs for projects or productions..

These stay human 12

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day · Frequency of decisions: once a week or more but not every day · Using hands on tools and objects: more than half the time · Impact of decisions: important results

Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, or other relevant information.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Survey: [type of survey, area, equipment]
Conditions: [weather, terrain, access]

Make me a pre-survey checklist (equipment, calibration, safety), a data recording template, and the most common sources of error to avoid.

10-minute exercise: Field survey prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collect information to carry out new surveys (today).
Step 2Before your next field survey, fill in [Survey] and [Conditions].
Step 3Use the recording template in the field and note one improvement afterward.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Gather physical survey data..

Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments.

Weekly

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment, such as GPS, and other surveying instruments.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Area: [land, water]
Features: [what to map]

Make a survey plan and verification checklist. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Feature survey plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct surveys (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Features] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features..

Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to identify and compile database information to create requested maps.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Survey: [type of survey, area, equipment]
Conditions: [weather, terrain, access]

Make me a pre-survey checklist (equipment, calibration, safety), a data recording template, and the most common sources of error to avoid.

10-minute exercise: Field survey prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you identify and compile database information to create requested maps (this week).
Step 2Before your next field survey, fill in [Survey] and [Conditions].
Step 3Use the recording template in the field and note one improvement afterward.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Gather physical survey data..

Record survey measurements or descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, or inked tracings.

Daily

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to record survey measurements or descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, or inked tracings.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Area: [land, water]
Features: [what to map]

Make a survey plan and verification checklist. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Feature survey plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you record survey measurements or descriptive data (today).
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Features] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features..

Supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in surveying, plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs.

Daily

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to supervise or coordinate activities of workers engaged in surveying, plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, or photographs.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Team: [engineers, specialists, subcontractors]
Issue or goal: [quality, schedule, coordination]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Supervising technical staff

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you supervise or coordinate activities of workers (today).
Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Issue or goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Supervise engineering or other technical personnel..

Set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation.

Weekly

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to set out and recover stakes, marks, or other monumentation.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Area: [land, water]
Features: [what to map]

Make a survey plan and verification checklist. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Feature survey plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you set out (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Features] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features..

Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors.

Weekly

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, electronic distance measuring equipment, or electronic data collectors.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Survey: [type, area]
Instruments: [total station, GPS]

Make a field checklist and data sheet. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Survey field plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you adjust and operate surveying instruments (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Survey] and [Instruments] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Survey land or properties..

Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments.

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Survey: [type of survey, area, equipment]
Conditions: [weather, terrain, access]

Make me a pre-survey checklist (equipment, calibration, safety), a data recording template, and the most common sources of error to avoid.

10-minute exercise: Field survey prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you research and combine existing property information (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Before your next field survey, fill in [Survey] and [Conditions].
Step 3Use the recording template in the field and note one improvement afterward.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Gather physical survey data..

Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.

Weekly

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Area: [land, water]
Features: [what to map]

Make a survey plan and verification checklist. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Feature survey plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you position and hold the vertical rods and targets (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Features] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features..

Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Survey: [type of survey, area, equipment]
Conditions: [weather, terrain, access]

Make me a pre-survey checklist (equipment, calibration, safety), a data recording template, and the most common sources of error to avoid.

10-minute exercise: Field survey prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you compile information necessary (this week).
Step 2Before your next field survey, fill in [Survey] and [Conditions].
Step 3Use the recording template in the field and note one improvement afterward.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Gather physical survey data..

Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data.

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Survey: [type of survey, area, equipment]
Conditions: [weather, terrain, access]

Make me a pre-survey checklist (equipment, calibration, safety), a data recording template, and the most common sources of error to avoid.

10-minute exercise: Field survey prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze aerial photographs (this week).
Step 2Before your next field survey, fill in [Survey] and [Conditions].
Step 3Use the recording template in the field and note one improvement afterward.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Gather physical survey data..

Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Job details: [prints: materials, specs, model numbers, site conditions]

Make me a pre-job checklist to trim, align, and join prints (tools, materials, safety steps), the key measurements or calculations to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job when I'm done. Flag anything to check against the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Pre-job checklist: prints

Step 1Before you next trim, align, and join prints, put the real materials, specs and site conditions in [Job details].
Step 2Check every measurement and tolerance it lists against the drawings, blueprints or specs before you start. Add the steps only experience teaches.
Step 3After the job, log it with the 3-line template and note one thing to do faster or safer next time.

Importance 3.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare maps..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Active Listeningimportance 3.1/5
    Used in: Getting Information
  • Mathematicsimportance 3.2/5
    Used in: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
  • Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
  • Time Managementimportance 3.1/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Critical Thinkingimportance 3.5/5
    Used in: Thinking Creatively
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.6/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
  • Writingimportance 2.9/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information
  • Complex Problem Solvingimportance 3.2/5
    Used in: Working with Computers

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 2 new or updated tasks here: 0 AI-ready, 1 AI-assist, 1 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Use drone technology to capture aerial images or videos for creating detailed and accurate maps.

New in O*NET

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to use drone technology to capture aerial images or videos for creating detailed and accurate maps.

Context: The work draws on geography, design and mathematics.
Job details: [drone technology: materials, specs, model numbers, site conditions]

Make me a pre-job checklist to use drone technology (tools, materials, safety steps), the key measurements or calculations to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job when I'm done. Flag anything to check against the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Pre-job checklist: drone technology

Step 1Before you next use drone technology, put the real materials, specs and site conditions in [Job details].
Step 2Strike anything that doesn't match your manual or site rules. Add the steps only experience teaches.
Step 3After the job, log it with the 3-line template and note one thing to do faster or safer next time.

New O*NET task (05/2025). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Write boundary or easement legal descriptions.

New in O*NET

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a surveying / mapping technician. Part of my job is to write boundary or easement legal descriptions.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
Here's what I have for the boundary or easement legal descriptions: [rough notes, the facts, figures and decisions behind it]

Write a clear first draft that I can check and finish. Keep it [one page / short / formal], laid out so I can paste it into Microsoft SharePoint or Microsoft Word. Use headings if they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Draft the boundary or easement legal descriptions

Step 1Pull up the last boundary or easement legal descriptions you did, or jot 5 rough bullets for the next one.
Step 2Paste the prompt and put those bullets in [rough notes]. Pick the length in [one page / short / formal] to match what goes into Microsoft SharePoint or Microsoft Word.
Step 3Fix every [CHECK] against your source and anything else that's wrong, then compare the time with writing the boundary or easement legal descriptions from scratch. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

New O*NET task (08/2026). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

O*NET has not surveyed education and training for this occupation yet.

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Adobe IllustratorAdobe PhotoshopAutodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DBentley MicroStationESRI ArcGIS softwareHypertext markup language HTMLJavaScriptMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Outlook

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