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Instrument operator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical instrument operator skills. We ranked the top skills for instrument operators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 19.2% of instrument operator resumes contained gps as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an instrument operator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 instrument operator skills for your resume and career

1. GPS

GPS stands from Global Positioning System. It is a navigation system comprising of satellites that helps in determining the location, velocity, and synchronize time data for different modes of travel like air, sea, or land.

Here's how instrument operators use gps:

Operated Top Con Lite survey grade GPS Unit to conduct topographic studies of construction sites to ensure adequate planning.
Conduct DOT topographic surveys, using RTK GPS as well as conventional total station with EFB data collection.

2. Survey Equipment

Survey equipment is any tool that is used to survey a certain land area. It can include magnetic locators, GPS equipment, theodolite, compasses, surveying bipods, and tribrachs. Even drones can be a type of survey equipment, since they can be used to measure land area.

Here's how instrument operators use survey equipment:

Recognized for developing techniques and procedures which resulted in improved crew efficiency in operations of specialized survey equipment.
Operate survey equipment for land development projects, ALTA surveys, Boundary surveys, topographic surveys and construction staking.

3. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how instrument operators use data collection:

Developed expert proficiency with use of multiple data collection units and all transference of data information.
Provided data collection and coding utilizing coding techniques.

4. Work Ethic

Here's how instrument operators use work ethic:

Demonstrated great work ethic with little supervision.
Improved attention to detail coupled with a greater work ethic.

5. Robotic

Robotics is a branch of engineering and technology involving the conception, design, construction, operation, and use of robots to assist and/or substitute human efforts and actions.

Here's how instrument operators use robotic:

Used and maintained daily, as well as training others on Robotic Total Stations and hand held Data Collectors.
Major Accomplishment Able to operate a robotic total station on a one man survey party.

6. Construction Surveys

Here's how instrument operators use construction surveys:

Instrument operator for construction surveying.
Crew chief / instrument operator, layout technician for boundary and construction surveys.

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7. Tripods

Here's how instrument operators use tripods:

Set up tripods Cut brush Set corner posts

8. Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is a term referring to the branch of the engineering industry which deals with the design, creation, and keep up of public spaces such as roads, dams, parks, railways, pipelines, and various other infrastructures. It is one of the oldest branches of this field, having been born with the first larger cities and civilizations; thus "civil" engineering. It is an industry generally used to solve the problems of the public, such as a lack of sheltering or low cleanliness.

Here's how instrument operators use civil engineering:

Produce commercial and residential civil engineering plans.
Performed field procedures for a variety of civil engineering projects.

9. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how instrument operators use gis:

Provide technical assistance to others on assigned projects and serve as a resource person to other departments on GIS related topics.
Worked with and became skilled with various forms of GIS mapping systems.

10. Survey Instruments

Here's how instrument operators use survey instruments:

Cleaned, checked and calibrated survey instruments to assure accuracy of measurements.
Operate survey instruments recording all survey data collected during field operations.

11. Construction Sites

A piece of land where constructional activities are to be conducted is termed as a construction site.

Here's how instrument operators use construction sites:

Staked construction sites including road layout, utility and storm sewer staking, erosion control measures and mass grading.
Installed both crack and movement monitoring devices on construction sites.

12. GNSS

Here's how instrument operators use gnss:

Use of TBC primarily to process OPUS solutions, translate GNSS observations.
Staked commodities and existing underground using Trimble GNSS equipment.

13. Survey Data

Survey Data is characterized as the resultant information that is gathered from an example of respondents that took a review. This information is complete data assembled from an intended interest group about a particular theme to lead research. There are numerous techniques utilized for overview information assortment and factual investigation.

Here's how instrument operators use survey data:

Assist in the collection of survey data, field notes and drawings.
Reviewed and edited survey data on a daily basis.

14. Topographic Surveys

Here's how instrument operators use topographic surveys:

Instrument operator for residential and commercial construction projects, boundary and topographic surveys.
Performed Topographic Surveys for residential and commercial properties.

15. Boundary Surveys

Here's how instrument operators use boundary surveys:

Conducted boundary surveys, topographical surveys and mortgage surveys.
Experience in boundary surveys, construction staking and elevation surveys

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List of instrument operator skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an instrument operator resume and required skills for an instrument operator to have include:

GPS
Survey Equipment
Data Collection
Work Ethic
Robotic
Construction Surveys
Tripods
Civil Engineering
GIS
Survey Instruments
Construction Sites
GNSS
Survey Data
Topographic Surveys
Boundary Surveys
RTK

Topcon
Carlson
Trimble Gps
Instrument Operation
Descriptive Data
Electronic Distance Measuring
Mathematical Calculations
Natural Features
TDS
Leica
As-Built Surveys
Construction Projects
Property Corners
Electronic Distance
Survey Measurements
Auto CAD

R
Construction Stake-Out
R8
Survey Points
Nikon
Property Lines
Control Points
Vertical Control
Recon
Water Lines
Prism
Theodolites
Wetland
Legal Descriptions
HPLC

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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