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82B Career Guide

Army

82B: Construction Surveying Technician

Career transition guide for Army Construction Surveying Technician (82B)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 82B veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Surveyor

$75K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Survey Technician (CST) certificationProficiency in specific surveying software (e.g., AutoCAD Civil 3D)Knowledge of local land surveying laws and regulations

Civil Engineering Technician

$65K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Associate's degree in Civil Engineering TechnologyProficiency in CAD softwareUnderstanding of civil engineering principles

Construction Manager

$98K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationStrong communication and leadership skillsKnowledge of construction methods and materials

Geospatial Technician

$68K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certificationExperience with remote sensing dataData analysis and interpretation skills

First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

$72K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

OSHA safety certificationsKnowledge of specific construction tradesExperience in scheduling and resource management

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 82B training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As an 82B, you constantly assess the job site, understanding the terrain, potential hazards, and the position of your team to ensure accurate surveys and safe operations.

This translates to an ability to quickly grasp the dynamics of any environment, anticipate potential problems, and maintain overall control, valuable in dynamic civilian settings.

Team Synchronization

You direct survey parties, coordinating their actions to gather data effectively and efficiently. This requires clear communication, delegation, and the ability to anticipate team needs.

Your ability to harmonize efforts of different individuals towards a common goal is directly transferable to civilian teamwork, ensuring projects run smoothly and everyone is aligned.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for managing equipment, supplies, and personnel to complete surveys within budget and time constraints, making efficient use of available resources.

This translates to effective allocation of resources, preventing waste and maximizing productivity – a skill highly valued in civilian project management and operational roles.

Procedural Compliance

Construction surveys must adhere to strict regulations and standards. As an 82B, you're trained to follow procedures meticulously to ensure accuracy and safety.

Your attention to detail and adherence to protocols are invaluable in civilian roles where compliance with industry regulations and standards is paramount.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Geospatial Analyst

SOC 15-1131

You've been working with spatial data and survey techniques, which are core components of geospatial analysis. Your experience directing teams and ensuring accuracy makes you well-suited to analyze geographic data and create insightful reports.

Construction Estimator

SOC 13-1051

You've been involved in the technical aspects of construction and site development, giving you a solid understanding of project requirements. You already understand construction techniques and data interpretation which translates well into cost estimation.

Land Surveyor Assistant

SOC 17-1022

You've honed your survey expertise, directing survey parties and ensuring data accuracy. This experience provides a strong foundation to assist land surveyors in collecting and analyzing data for property boundaries and construction projects.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Construction Surveying Technician Course, Fort Leonard Wood, MO

320 training hours8 weeksUp to 6 semester hours in surveying technology

Topics Covered

  • Land Surveying Principles
  • Blueprint Reading
  • Construction Surveying Instruments (Total Stations, Levels)
  • Data Collection and Processing
  • Survey Calculations and Adjustments
  • Civil Engineering Drawings
  • GPS and GIS Fundamentals for Surveying
  • Construction Site Layout

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Survey Technician (CST)70% covered

Requires study of specific surveying instruments, data processing techniques, and legal aspects of boundary surveying not fully covered in military training. Focus on specific CST exam level topics.

OSHA 30-Hour Construction50% covered

While military training covers safety, OSHA 30 focuses specifically on OSHA regulations and compliance within civilian construction. Study OSHA standards and record-keeping requirements.

Recommended Next Certifications

Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Construction Manager (CCM)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Total Station (various models)Robotic Total Station (e.g., Trimble, Leica)
Global Positioning System (GPS) Surveying Equipment (e.g., Trimble R10)Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS Surveying Systems
Automatic Level (various models)Automatic Level
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering Regulations (ERs)ASTM International Standards, ANSI Standards, IBC Building Codes
Geographic Information System (GIS) software (e.g., ArcGIS)Geographic Information System (GIS) software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
Construction Material Testing Equipment (e.g., concrete compression testers)Civil Engineering Material Testing Equipment
Bluebeam RevuBluebeam Revu

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