What is a Professional Surveyor and Mapper (PSM) and how does it contribute to your project’s success?
Allen & Company employs several licensed PSMs who manage and lead teams in a variety of commercial and residential projects throughout the state of Florida
The profession of surveyor and mapper plays an important role in the construction and development of both residential and commercial projects, as well as many more projects requiring the measurement of land—including size, topography, legal descriptions, shape of a tract of land, geodetic profile, and orientation.
Becoming a Professional Surveyor and Mapper (PSM) starts with a commitment to a career in the surveying, mapping and geospatial services. In fact, the decision to become vested in one of the oldest professions of the world should be a primary motivator for pursing your PSM license in the State of Florida.
Furthermore, the honor of receiving a PSM license in Florida creates much opportunity in a state known for its constant growth, development and re-development across multiple related competencies. This is a major drive for our Allen & Company teams to earn a Professional Surveyor and Mapper license and also for becoming a Certified Surveying Technician (CST).
Read on to explore some of the reasons why someone would consider becoming a Professional Surveyor and Mapper in Florida.
From the Frontlines
‘We have a large team from all different walks of life and diversity who make us a great place to work.”
Dan Martone
Director of Construction Surveying
What career opportunities are available to a Professional Surveyor and Mapper?
Once you become a PSM, you will be qualified to lead a team of surveyors and mappers across a broad range of related competencies, project types and scenarios that require professional-level knowledge of the surveying business.
PSMs often get promoted to leadership or management roles where they lead other surveyors, mappers and specialists in related competencies. Also, PSMs work closely with Certified Surveying Technicians and future PSMs who look up to their leaders for their own career motivation.
A PSM license also grants the holder access to roles that command a higher payrate, given their professional perspective and knowledge. An individual holding a PSM license in Florida can not only work for a surveying firm, but also for construction companies, commercial developers, and private companies—such as theme parks and healthcare organizations.
Who can become a Professional Surveyor and Mapper?
The general rule is that someone with a relevant university degree or work experience (usually several years of field experience) can begin his or her PSM journey, pending studying the required coursework and successfully passing a Fundamentals of Surveying, Principles, and Practice of Surveying and the Florida Jurisdictional Examination.
Becoming a Professional Surveyor and Mapper is a badge of honor that can open up a path of opportunity for those individuals who see themselves playing an active role in the construction and development of Florida’ infrastructure, residential communities, and the establishment of new facilities for both private and public organizations.
Allen & Company is an advocate for PSM licensure by any team member who qualifies and has a determination for studying and taking the required exams. However, you should also become familiar with Florida requirements for Professional Surveyors and Mappers from the Florida Department of Agriculture website at https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Surveyors-and-Mappers.
What skills and knowledge are required to become a Surveyor and Mapper?
Anyone who seeks to become a licensed PSM should be proficient in surveying techniques, mapping, math, trigonometry, photogrammetry, and geospatial science. PSMs are also expected to deliver integrity, honesty, accuracy, and the correct delivery of information related to surveying and mapping work.
As with any other profession, a surveyor and mapper may go through a spectrum of roles ranging from field assignments to office-based work. Therefore, for someone to become a PSM he or she must be familiar with a variety of technologies, theories, techniques, and exposure to fieldwork that can provide a reference for their PSM outlook.
Florida’s Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers determines the areas of competency a PSM must deliver in such a role, including the collection of data for surveying, mapping, and geospatial projects.
From map creation and land evaluation to determine the elevation and location of land boundaries, the skills and knowledge required of a Professional Surveyor and Mapper can ensure the success of any construction or development effort that fuels the economic growth of the state of Florida.
If you are a licensed Professional Surveyor and Mapper in Florida or are looking to work for a company that sponsors the opportunity to become a PSM, contact Allen & Company at info@allen-company.com with your qualifications and resume.
Looking for a Job in Surveying?
Allen & Company is always looking for people who want to grow a successful career in surveying, mapping, geospatial service, and related specialties such as CAD techs, project managers and more.
Opportunity Abounds and There’s More to Come
Third, there is both vertical and horizontal opportunity for surveyors and mappers in an industry that is more like a fraternal order than just “a place to work.”
On a vertical plane, many surveyors have transitioned from outdoor fieldwork into other technology-based roles within Allen & Company, including CAD techs, business development, UAV pilots, and management or supervisory roles. Through the knowledge acquired on the field, they become more effective team members and use that knowledge as a springboard into new career directions—all within our company.
However, the horizontal opportunity of the surveying and mapping profession is extended through the application of advanced technologies in the areas of Modeling and Simulation (ModSim), 3D laser scanning/LiDAR, aerial photogrammetric mapping via UAV, hydrographic or bathymetric measurement, and Subsurface Utility Exploration—as well as Utility Locating Services.
Overall, Allen & Company continues to grow by having an active role in the evolution of the surveying, mapping and geospatial services industry. Our teams’ cross-training and competence as PSMs, CSTs and company-trained roles make a difference in our customers’ projects, who continue to procure and refer business to Allen & Company.
