Geomatics Technologists - Land Surveying
Job description
These individuals assist the Land Surveyor in demarcating territories and laying out roads and buildings. They plan, coordinate, and supervise the collection of existing data in the field. They determine the location of elements and structures on the earth's surface, underground, or underwater by using positioning systems, imagery, and surveying equipment. They record, analyze, and process the measurements and other information obtained. They depict the data collected in the form of graphs and tables using specialized geomatics software. They work for:
- Private companies
- Telecommunications companies
- Consulting engineering, urban planning, architectural, and land development consultant firms
- Land development organizations
- Tourism associations
- Land surveyor services providers
- Mining, forestry, and oil companies
- Construction companies
- Government agencies
- Cities, municipalities, or regional county municipalities (RCMs)
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Climatic conditions
- Equipment, machinery, tools
Main tasks
- Plan positioning activities by satellite.
- Perform various calculations to help the Land Surveyor design plans.
- Manipulate instruments and computer equipment to measure distances, angles, elevations, and curves of a plot of land.
- Determine geographic coordinates using GPS.
- Carry out titles of ownership searches to allow the Land Surveyor to produce a detailed land report.
- Produce land-related and legal documents, survey notes, and reports.
Advancement and mobility
- Experience leads to supervisory positions.
- These individuals may specialize in various fields of surveying (geodesic, topographic, legal [cadastral], etc.).
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
College
DCS in technologie de la géomatique (Géodésie)
Placement rate: 68.4%
26.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Membership in the Ordre des technologues professionnels du Québec (OTPQ [Quebec Order of Professional Technologists]) to use the title of Professional Technologist.
Sometimes required
- Occupation competency certificate issued by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ [Quebec Construction Commission]) to work on construction sites as a Surveyor.
- A valid driver’s licence considered an asset.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Critical thought
- Reading comprehension
- Mathematics
- Judgment and decision-making
- Coordination
- Operations and control
- Monitoring operations
- Equipment selection
- Result evaluation
- Solving complex problems
- Oral expression
- Active learning
- Social perception
- Installation
- Equipment maintenance
- Service oriented
- Written expression
- Time management
- Systems evaluation
- Active listening
Abilities
- Near vision
- Written comprehension
- Information organization
- Manual dexterity
- Verbal skills
- Oral comprehension
- Distance vision
- Mathematical reasoning
- Control accuracy
- Deductive reasoning
- Awareness of issues
- Digital dexterity
- Inductive reasoning
- Basic numeracy
- Selective attention
- Classification
- Processing flexibility
- Speech recognition
- Core strength
- Spatial orientation
- Colour perception and distinction
- Speech clarity
- Visualization
- Perception speed
- Hand-arm stability
- Written expression
- Overall balance of the body
Knowledge and attributes
- Critical thinking
- Autonomy
- Capacity to work in a team
- Knowledge of mathematics
- Rigour
- Attention to detail
- Knowledge of engineering and technology
- Sense of observation
- Patience
- Knowledge of geography
Interests
- Work with numbers
- Work manually
- Work in contact with nature and animals
- Collect, verify, sort, and classify data or information
- Work outdoors
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Land survey technologists and technicians (CNP 22213)
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026