Party Chief Jobs
Party chief jobs are open across land surveying, geophysical exploration, and construction, from crew-level field positions to senior project leads, with roles hired by engineering firms, energy companies, and government contractors nationwide. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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We create the connections that get people and goods moving—whether by car, bus, train, plane, or on their own two feet. Working within the context of the communities we serve, we provide planning, engineering, and infrastructure management services that fit the needs of our clients and improve the overall transportation experience. Join our team and help us keep communities connected.
Strong communities don’t just happen. They are thoughtfully planned and future-ready. We bring life to urban downtowns, suburban hubs, small towns, and rural areas through master-planned communities, mixed-use developments, parks, and recreation facilities. The result: vibrant economic centers, resilient neighborhoods, and welcoming places that feel like home.
If you’re passionate about empowering communities, join us to discover a career with endless opportunities to make communities more equitable, resilient, and livable.
Your Opportunity
Stantec is seeking a full-time Union Party Chief (Survey Technician) for our Santa Barbara, CA office. This position will report to the manager of Land Surveying and will primarily be a field role, performing construction layout staking, topographic and boundary/ROW surveys, but there will be times when office support, performing construction calculations and creating topographic, boundary/ROW, and exhibit maps will be required.
Your Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to being in charge of field survey activities, including the following:
- Performing a variety of surveys with minimal supervision.
- Conducting comprehensive construction layout, topographic, boundary/ROW and as-built surveys.
- Ensuring proper safety measures are being followed.
- Effective communication with Project Manager as to progress updates, scope changes, and other project impacts.
- Act as a company representative, liaising directly with client field representatives and landowners.
- Some office technical survey work will be required in this position.
- Strong critical thinking skills in a field environment.
- Manage information flow between the field and office, and prepare clear, concise, and accurate field notes, records, and calculations.
- Understanding the operation of total stations and GNSS equipment and their associated controllers and data collectors.
Your Capabilities and Credentials
- Being a member or willing to join the IUOE Local 12 union is required.
- Ability to perform physical work (i.e., strenuous walking, bending, lifting (up to 50 pounds), carrying / loading equipment, etc.)
- A valid Driver’s license is required, with a clean driving record.
- Good communication skills.
- Experience reading and interpreting construction drawings is required.
- Proficiency with GPS, Trimble robotic Total Stations, and Trimble Access data collection methods are required.
- Data processing/importing, DTM creation and CADD knowledge with Autodesk Civil 3D is required.
- The ability to work in a team environment is necessary.
- Experience with terrestrial LiDAR, a plus.
- Some travel to project sites is required. The amount of travel varies. (All travel is within the work week. No stays over the weekend are typically required. All allowable lodging and meal costs are reimbursed).
Education and Experience
- 5+ years of experience in land surveying.
- Bachelor or an Associate degree in Land Surveying, a plus.
- Having a California Surveyor’s License or Certified Party Chief certification with the IUOE Local 12 Union, a plus.
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
About Stantec
Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what has previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what is possible.
Pay Range:
- Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA, VA Areas-$88,700.00 - $128,600.00 Annually
Primary Location: United States | CA | Santa Barbara
Organization: BC-2042 CommDev-US West
Employee Status: Regular
Management Level: Individual contributor
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: Yes
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 06/11/2026 05:11:29
Req ID: 1008755
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.
We create the connections that get people and goods moving—whether by car, bus, train, plane, or on their own two feet. Working within the context of the communities we serve, we provide planning, engineering, and infrastructure management services that fit the needs of our clients and improve the overall transportation experience. Join our team and help us keep communities connected.
Strong communities don’t just happen. They are thoughtfully planned and future-ready. We bring life to urban downtowns, suburban hubs, small towns, and rural areas through master-planned communities, mixed-use developments, parks, and recreation facilities. The result: vibrant economic centers, resilient neighborhoods, and welcoming places that feel like home.
If you’re passionate about empowering communities, join us to discover a career with endless opportunities to make communities more equitable, resilient, and livable.
Your Opportunity
Stantec is seeking a full-time Union Party Chief (Survey Technician) for our Santa Barbara, CA office. This position will report to the manager of Land Surveying and will primarily be a field role, performing construction layout staking, topographic and boundary/ROW surveys, but there will be times when office support, performing construction calculations and creating topographic, boundary/ROW, and exhibit maps will be required.
Your Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to being in charge of field survey activities, including the following:
- Performing a variety of surveys with minimal supervision.
- Conducting comprehensive construction layout, topographic, boundary/ROW and as-built surveys.
- Ensuring proper safety measures are being followed.
- Effective communication with Project Manager as to progress updates, scope changes, and other project impacts.
- Act as a company representative, liaising directly with client field representatives and landowners.
- Some office technical survey work will be required in this position.
- Strong critical thinking skills in a field environment.
- Manage information flow between the field and office, and prepare clear, concise, and accurate field notes, records, and calculations.
- Understanding the operation of total stations and GNSS equipment and their associated controllers and data collectors.
Your Capabilities and Credentials
- Being a member or willing to join the IUOE Local 12 union is required.
- Ability to perform physical work (i.e., strenuous walking, bending, lifting (up to 50 pounds), carrying / loading equipment, etc.)
- A valid Driver’s license is required, with a clean driving record.
- Good communication skills.
- Experience reading and interpreting construction drawings is required.
- Proficiency with GPS, Trimble robotic Total Stations, and Trimble Access data collection methods are required.
- Data processing/importing, DTM creation and CADD knowledge with Autodesk Civil 3D is required.
- The ability to work in a team environment is necessary.
- Experience with terrestrial LiDAR, a plus.
- Some travel to project sites is required. The amount of travel varies. (All travel is within the work week. No stays over the weekend are typically required. All allowable lodging and meal costs are reimbursed).
Education and Experience
- 5+ years of experience in land surveying.
- Bachelor or an Associate degree in Land Surveying, a plus.
- Having a California Surveyor’s License or Certified Party Chief certification with the IUOE Local 12 Union, a plus.
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
About Stantec
Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what has previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what is possible.
Pay Range:
- Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA, VA Areas-$88,700.00 - $128,600.00 Annually
Primary Location: United States | CA | Santa Barbara
Organization: BC-2042 CommDev-US West
Employee Status: Regular
Management Level: Individual contributor
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: Yes
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 06/11/2026 05:11:29
Req ID: 1008755
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.
Party Chief Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Party Chief JobsParty Chief Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Thompson Engineering13
- GREGORY CONSTRUCTION7
- Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson5
- Primoris Services Corporation2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in party chief jobs.
- Five or more years of field surveying or geophysical crew experience
- Proficiency with total stations, GPS/GNSS equipment, and data collectors
- Professional Land Surveyor licensure or eligibility for licensure preferred
- Ability to lead and supervise field crews of varying sizes
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 40 certification for field safety compliance
- Valid driver's license with ability to operate trucks and tow trailers
Tips for Your Party Chief Job Search
Tailor your resume to field conditions
Highlight specific equipment you've operated, terrain types you've worked in, and crew sizes you've led. Party chief roles require hands-on proof of field competency, so generic project management language won't carry the same weight as concrete survey or exploration details.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists party chief openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Lead with your licensure and certifications
Many employers filter candidates by Professional Land Surveyor licensure, OSHA certifications, or geophysical field credentials before reviewing experience. List your active certifications near the top of your resume so they're visible before a recruiter reads your work history.
Target openings by project type not just title
Party chief roles in boundary surveying, seismic acquisition, and pipeline construction each require different technical backgrounds. Search by project type or industry vertical so you're applying to openings where your specific field experience is a direct match.
Prepare to describe crew leadership under pressure
Interviewers for party chief positions almost always ask how you've handled equipment failure, personnel conflict, or adverse weather in the field. Have two or three specific situations ready that show you kept a crew productive and safe when conditions changed.
Negotiate relocation terms before accepting field offers
Many party chief roles are project-based and require relocation or extended rotational schedules. Clarify per diem, housing allowances, and rotation length during the offer stage, not after, so you're evaluating the full compensation picture before you commit.
Party Chief Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most party chiefs?
The companies hiring the most party chiefs right now include Thompson Engineering, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, and GREGORY CONSTRUCTION, with the largest share of openings in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to be highest among firms with active infrastructure, energy, or land development contracts.
How many party chief jobs are remote?
About 50% of party chief openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the fundamentally field-based nature of most survey and exploration work. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or office components include data processing, project coordination, and report writing after field collection is complete.
How do you become a party chief?
Start as a field technician or instrument operator to build hands-on experience with surveying or geophysical equipment, then advance to crew leader roles where you take responsibility for daily operations and data quality. Earning a Professional Land Surveyor license, completing OSHA safety training, and demonstrating consistent accuracy in the field are the steps most employers expect before promoting someone to party chief.
Can you get hired as a party chief with little experience?
Entry into party chief roles directly is uncommon without field experience, but candidates who've completed a surveying or geomatics degree program and worked summers or internships on survey crews are competitive for junior party chief openings. Demonstrating proficiency with standard field equipment and showing you've led even a small crew, even informally, strengthens your candidacy significantly.
What does the party chief interview process look like?
Most party chief interviews start with a phone screen focused on your equipment background and crew experience, followed by a technical interview where you may be asked to walk through how you'd set up a control network, handle datum issues, or manage a crew safety situation. Some employers conduct a brief field assessment before making an offer to verify hands-on competency with the equipment you listed on your resume.
Where can I find and apply to party chief jobs?
You can find and apply to party chief jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your field background and specialization, then apply directly to each listing that fits your experience and location preferences.
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