How to hire an instrument person

How to hire an instrument person, step by step

Here's a step-by-step instrument person hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an instrument person job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new instrument person
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the instrument person you need to hire. Certain instrument person roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An instrument person's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, instrument people from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of instrument people.

   Type of Instrument Person	Description	Hourly rate
   Instrument Person	Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth’s surface. Surveying technicians visit sites to take measurements of the land... Show more	$14-30
   Party Chief	A party chief is a management position responsible for leading and guiding a program and providing leadership for its success. To fill this role, you will manage the program and provide overall technical expertise... Show more	$14-31
   Surveyor	A surveyor is responsible for measuring the physical boundaries of a property based on the design documents. Surveyors' duties include determining reference points using special measuring equipment, analyzing land records, evaluating the stability of the property location, verifying data to property agencies and other organizations, responding to the client's inquiries, processing legal property documents, and finalizing boundary lines and maps... Show more	$15-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Topographic Surveys
   • Data Collection
   • Survey Equipment
   • Trimble Gps
   • Robotic
   • Construction Layout
   • Survey Instruments
   • Construction Sites
   • DOT
   • Boundary Surveys
   • GNSS
   • Construction Projects
   • CAD
   • Survey Points

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate TopCon total stations with TDS-48 software.
   • Operate RTK equipment and Pro-XR global positioning systems.
   • Operate data collectors, total stations, theodolites and auto-levels.
   • Downloaded/Upload data from the HP48 (TDS) using TFR.
   • Work on various types of projects utilizing conventional and Topcon GPS system.
   • Experience with all total stations, TDS software, Recon, and HP48.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your instrument person job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An instrument person salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, instrument people' average salary in minnesota is 40% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level instrument people earn 52% less than senior-level instrument people.
   • Certifications. An instrument person with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an instrument person's salary.

   Average instrument person salary

   $43,699yearly

   $21.01 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level instrument person salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 31, 2025

4. Writing an instrument person job description

   An instrument person job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an instrument person job description:

   Instrument person job description example

   Colliers Engineering & Design is seeking a field crew member to join their Survey Team. This is an intermediate level position, predominantly working in the field on survey and construction related projects, training in Collier's specific equipment and procedures will be provided. The work will require occasional travel.
   Responsibilities • Primary role is to assist the Crew Chief.
   • Utilize level rod, prism pole or tape at designated points to assist in determining location and elevations of various features.
   • Lay out stakes for map-making, construction land and other surveys.
   • Carry and take care instruments, field equipment, hammers, stakes nails, etc.
   • Familiarity with GPS and data collection.
   • Ability to work outdoors with occasional extended hours. Qualifications • Possess good interpersonal skills, and effective written and oral communication skills.
   • Attendance, punctuality and reliability are essential requirements.
   • Must be able to work in inclement weather.
   • A valid driver's license and clean driving record required. MVR will be checked and monitored.
   
   Requires a pre-employment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in the employer's random drug and alcohol testing program. Physical Requirements • Must be physically able to work long hours and carry heavy loads. What We Offer At Colliers Engineering & Design, our people are our most important resource. That's why we are committed to providing all our employees with a safe, comfortable work environment, potential for career advancement, and the ability to impact society through their projects as well as Company sponsored activities.
   
   This dedication begins with supporting a work life balance through a generous compensation package that includes: company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid pregnancy disability leave; short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; a company-matched 401(k)/Roth; paid time off that includes parental and military leave; employee referral and professional license bonuses and a straight time policy that compensates exempt employees for billable hours worked in excess of 40 billable hours within a work week.
   
   We have also created an internal culture that provides the resources and technology needed to encourage personal and professional growth opportunities through reimbursement for education; a free in-house resource for hundreds of educational and self-enrichment courses; mentorship program; wellness program; Women's Organization and ongoing philanthropic opportunities.
   
   Apply today to learn how you can join our team of professionals, so we can help you Accelerate Your Success!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find instrument people for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your instrument person job on Zippia to find and recruit instrument person candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit instrument people, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new instrument person

   Once you've decided on a perfect instrument person candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new instrument person. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an instrument person?