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2154.0 – Land surveyors
Land surveyors plan, direct and conduct legal surveys to establish the location of real property boundaries, contours and other natural or human-made features, and prepare and maintain cross-sectional drawings, official plans, records and documents pertaining to these surveys.
Profile
Example titles Help
- Cadastral surveyor
- Canada lands surveyor
- City surveyor
- Land surveyor
- Property surveyor
Inclusions
- Land survey supervisor
Main characteristics Help
- General learning ability to plan, direct and supervise or conduct surveys to establish and mark legal boundaries of properties, parcels of land, provincial and canada lands, aboriginal land claims, well-sites, mining claims, utility rights-of-way, roadways and highways
- Verbal ability to advise, provide consultation and testify as an expert witness on matters related to legal surveys
- Numerical ability to calculate measurements and other information for making maps
- Spatial perception to survey and lay out subdivisions for rural and urban development and visualize and plot on maps and field sheets such data as elevations, distances, contour lines and other topographical features
- Form perception to obtain readings from surveying instruments, to examine maps and aerial photographs, to prepare drawings and charts, to make and revise maps and to determine precise locations using electronic distance measuring equipment and global positioning systems (gps)
- Innovative interest in co-ordinating information to develop plans, methods and procedures for conducting legal surveys, and to analyze, manage and display data using geographic information systems (GIS) and computer-aided design and drafting (CAD)
- Objective interest in precision working with GIS, GPS, CAD and other systems and equipment to record measurements and other information and to prepare survey data, plans, charts, records and documents
- Directive interest in supervising the preparation and compilation of data, plans, charts, records and documents; and in certifying and assuming liability for surveys
Aptitudes Help
One of five levels assigned for each factor, with levels representing normal curve distribution of the labour force:
- G
- General learning ability
- V
- Verbal ability
- N
- Numerical ability
- S
- Spatial perception
- P
- Form perception
- Q
- Clerical perception
- K
- Motor co-ordination
- F
- Finger dexterity
- M
- Manual dexterity

- The highest 10% of the working population
- Upper third, exclusive of the highest 10%
- Middle third of the working population
- Lowest third, exclusive of the lowest 10%
- Lowest 10% of the working population
An individual's overall capacity to learn the skills needed to perform job duties is based on his or her specific aptitudes for acquiring information and transforming it into action.
General learning ability G-2
Ability to 'catch on' or understand instructions and underlying principles; to reason and make judgments.
Verbal ability V-2
Ability to understand the meaning of words and the ideas associated with them, and to use them effectively; to comprehend language, to understand relationships between words and to understand the meaning of whole sentences and paragraphs; to present information or ideas clearly.
Numerical ability N-2
Ability to carry out arithmetical processes quickly and accurately.
Spatial perception S-2
Ability to think visually about geometric forms and comprehend the two dimensional representation of three dimensional objects; to recognize the relationships resulting from the movement of objects in space. May be used in such tasks as blueprint reading and in solving geometry problems. Frequently described as the ability to 'visualize' objects of two or three dimensions.
Form perception P-2
Ability to perceive pertinent detail in objects and in pictorial and graphic material; to make visual comparisons and discriminations and to see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines.
Clerical perception Q-3
Ability to perceive pertinent detail in verbal or tabular material; to observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetical computation.
Motor co-ordination K-3
Ability to co-ordinate eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately when required to respond with precise movements.
Finger dexterity F-3
Ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly and/or accurately.
Manual dexterity M-3
Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully; to work with the hands in placing and turning motions.
Interests Help
Three of five descriptive factors, assigned in order of predominance and lower case rating indicating weaker representation:
- D
- Directive
- I
- Innovative
- M
- Methodical
- O
- Objective
- S
- Social
Innovative I
Innovative persons like to explore things in depth and arrive at solutions to problems by experimenting. They are interested in initiating and creating different ways to solve questions and present information. They enjoy scientific subjects. Innovative persons prefer to be challenged with new and unexpected experiences. They adjust to change easily.
Objective O
Objective persons enjoy working with tools, equipment, instruments and machinery. They like to repair and/or fabricate things from various materials according to specifications and using established techniques. Objective persons are interested in finding out how things operate and how they are built.
Directive D
Directive persons like to take charge and control situations. They like to take responsibility for projects that require planning, decision making and co-ordinating the work of others. They are able to give direction and instructions easily. They enjoy organizing their own activities. They see themselves as independent and self-directing.
Data, people, and things Help
Data
- 0
- Synthesizing
- 1
- Co-ordinating
- 2
- Analyzing
- 3
- Compiling
- 4
- Computing
- 5
- Copying
- 6
- Comparing
- 7
- N/A
- 8
- Not Significant
People
- 0
- Mentoring
- 1
- Negotiating
- 2
- Instructing - Consulting
- 3
- Supervising
- 4
- Diverting
- 5
- Persuading
- 6
- Speaking - Signaling
- 7
- Serving - Assisting
- 8
- Not significant
Things
- 0
- Setting up
- 1
- Precision working
- 2
- Controlling
- 3
- Driving - Operating
- 4
- Operating - Manipulating
- 5
- Tending
- 6
- Feeding - Offbearing
- 7
- Handling
- 8
- Not significant
Data Co-ordinating 1
Determining time, place and sequence of operations or actions to be taken based on analysis of data; executing determinations and/or reporting events.
People Supervising 3
Determining or interpreting work procedures for a group or team of workers, assigning specific duties to them, maintaining harmonious relations and promoting efficiency.
Things Precision working 1
Using the body and/or equipment to move, guide, place, install and/or interface with objects, in order to attain specifications and precise standards. Considerable judgment is required to select, adjust and utilize appropriate tools, products and/or materials to accomplish specified objectives.
Physical activities Help
V - Vision
- 1
- Close visual acuity
- 2
- Near vision
- 3
- Near and far vision
- 4
- Total visual field
H - Hearing
- 1
- Limited
- 2
- Verbal interaction
- 3
- Other sound discrimination
L - Limb co-ordination
- 0
- Not relevant
- 1
- Upper limb co-ordination
- 2
- Multiple limb co-ordination
C - Colour discrimination
- 0
- Not relevant
- 1
- Relevant
B - Body position
- 1
- Sitting
- 2
- Standing and/or walking
- 3
- Sitting, standing, walking
- 4
- Other body positions
S - Strength
- 1
- Limited
- 2
- Light
- 3
- Medium
- 4
- Heavy
Vision Vision V-3
The use of sight in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the visual field involved in the performance of the work.
3 - Near and far vision
Some work activities involve the monitoring of processes, objects or situations in the work environment that are far from the worker. Other work activities involve Near vision (2).
Examples:
- installing shingles/tiles on roofs
- conducting surveys to establish legal property boundaries
- developing trading strategies by monitoring market conditions from the exchange floor
Colour discrimination Colour discrimination C-1
The use of colour descrimination to identify, distinguish and match colours and different shades of the same colours.
1 - Relevant
Colour discrimination is relevant in the performance of the work.
Examples:
- observing signals while operating vehicles
- installing, testing and repairing electrical wiring
- restoring and conserving museum and art gallery artifacts
- designing, constructing and repairing dentures
Hearing Hearing H-2
The use of hearing in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the type of auditory discrimination involved in the performance of the work.
2 - Verbal interaction
Work activities involve communication with colleagues, clients and/or the public on a regular basis.
Examples:
- operating directory listing systems to provide directory assistance to customers
- resolving work problems and recommending measures to improve productivity
- consulting with families of the deceased regarding funeral services
- analyzing and providing advice on managerial methods and organization of establishments
Body position Body position B-3
Primary type of posture or body movement involved in performing the work. These postures or body movements range from simple to complex and from sedentary to mobile.
3 - Sitting, standing, walking
This level involves work activities in combinations and varying degrees of Sitting (1) and Standing and/or walking (2).
Examples:
- teaching students through lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations and field studies
- assessing land values for taxation purposes
- ensuring that systems and equipment are operating efficiently on job sites
- supervising and co-ordinating the activities of workers who cut or stitch fabric, fur or leather garments
Limb co-ordination Limb co-ordination L-0
The use of limbs in performing work.
0 - Not relevant
Work activities do not involve co-ordination of limbs.
Examples:
- counselling clients and providing therapy
- proofreading materials before publication
- greeting patrons at entrances to restaurant dining rooms
- responding to enquiries at an information desk
Strength Strength S-2
The use of strength in the handling of loads such as pulling, pushing, lifting and/or moving objects during the work performed.
2 - Light
Work activities involve handling loads of 5 kg but less than 10 kg.
Examples:
- repairing soles, heels and other parts of footwear
- filing materials in drawers, cabinets and storage boxes
- preparing and cooking meals
- repairing paintings and artifacts
Environmental conditions Help
Location
- L1
- Regulated inside climate
- L2
- Unregulated inside climate
- L3
- Outside
- L4
- In a vehicle or cab
Hazards
- H1
- Dangerous chemical substances
- H2
- Biological agents
- H3
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- H4
- Electricity
- H5
- Radiation
- H6
- Flying particles, falling objects
- H7
- Fire, steam, hot surfaces
- H8
- Dangerous locations
Discomforts
- D1
- Noise
- D2
- Vibration
- D3
- Odours
- D4
- Non-toxic dusts
- D5
- Wetness
Location Regulated inside climate L1
The work performed is carried out indoors in a regulated environment, indoors in an unregulated environment, outdoors or in a vehicle. In many occupations, the Main Duties may be performed in more than one location. Therefore, a group may have more than one Location code, for example:
- firefighting and fire prevention duties
- maintenance of interior/exterior of buildings
- managing operations and paperwork of farms
L1 - Regulated inside climate
A normal controlled environment such as an office, hospital or school.
Location Outside L3
The work performed is carried out indoors in a regulated environment, indoors in an unregulated environment, outdoors or in a vehicle. In many occupations, the Main Duties may be performed in more than one location. Therefore, a group may have more than one Location code, for example:
- firefighting and fire prevention duties
- maintenance of interior/exterior of buildings
- managing operations and paperwork of farms
L3 - Outside
An outdoor work environment where the worker is exposed to variations in weather conditions and seasonal weather patterns.
Examples:
- maintaining lawns
- repairing buildings, roads, bridges and dams
- operating power saws to thin and space trees
- delivering mail
Employment requirements Help
Education/training Help
- 1
- No formal education or training requirements
- 2
- Some high school education and/or on the job training or experience
- 3
- High school
- 4
- Course work, training, workshops and/or experience related to the occupation
- 5
- Apprenticeship, specialized training, vocational school training
- 6
- College, technical school (certificate, diploma)
- 7
- Undergraduate degree
- 8
- Post-graduate or professional degree
- +
- Additional requirement beyond education and training
- R
- Regulated requirement(s)
- A bachelor's degree in geomatics engineering or survey engineering
or
A college diploma in survey science or geomatics technology with additional academic credits and successful completion of equivalent examinations set by a regional board of examiners for land surveyors is required. - A one- to three-year articling period is required.
- Successful completion of professional land surveyor examinations is required.
- A federal or provincial land surveyor's licence is required.
Workplaces/employers Help
- Engineering and construction firms
- Federal government
- Municipal governments
- Natural resource firms
- Private sector land surveying establishments
- Provincial governments
- Real estate development firms
- Self-employment
Occupational options Help
- Federal statutes require a separate licence from the Association of Canada Land Surveyors to survey areas such as national parks, Aboriginal lands, offshore areas and northern territories.
- Federal statutes require a separate licence from the Association of Canada Land Surveyors to survey areas such as national parks, aboriginal lands, offshore areas and northern territories.
Exclusions Help
- Engineering managers (0211)
- Hydrographic surveyors (in 2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers)
- Geomatics and survey engineers (in 2131 Civil engineers)
- Urban and land use planners (2153)
- Engineering technologists and technicians who apply geotechnical and topographical information to land use and urban planning (in 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians)
- Land survey technologists and technicians (2254)
- Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology (2255)
Breakdown summary
- Broad occupational category
- 2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
- Skill level
- A – Occupations usually require university education
- Minor group
- 21 – Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences
- Minor group
- 215 – Architects, urban planners and land surveyors
- Unit group
- 2154 – Land surveyors
- Version
- NOC 2016 Version 1.3