HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYOR

Job description

A hydrographic surveyor specialises in precise positioning, data acquisition and processing in marine environments.

The role involves measuring and mapping the world's underwater surfaces and studying the morphology (construction) of the seabed. The information is used in:

* the production of charts and related information for navigation;
* dredging;
* locating offshore resources (oil, gas, aggregates);
* planning dock installations.

Hydrographic surveyors are expected to work in a wide range of differing situations and applications: from inland waters and rivers, to ports and oceans. The work may be onshore or offshore, depending on your area of specialism.

The role also demands an understanding of and consideration for environmental issues.
Typical work activities

Typical work activities include:

* using specialised technical software, global and some terrestrial positioning systems, sonars and echo sounders to provide data for the production of nautical charts and maps;
* using remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles to acquire data in deep oceans;
* using specialised technical software and geographical information systems (GIS) to manage the integration, processing and presentation of data to clients;
* dealing with clients, internally and externally, to provide tenders and results in appropriate formats;
* managing projects, both onshore and offshore, as vessel-based managers;
* producing reports;
* providing accurate and reliable information for other disciplines, such as: navigation; oil, gas and mineral resource exploration; dredging; coastal works; seabed telephone cables; environmental monitoring; aquaculture; marine wind farm development; oceanographic research; and bridge construction;
* working in a wide range of differing situations and applications: seabed mining; oil and gas exploration; the construction of ports; the provision of navigational charts; and the positioning of navigational aids;
* sourcing information on seabed type, water movements and waves;
* provision of data for oceanographic studies;
* for those working onshore; responding to technical queries from onshore engineering teams and problem-solving for colleagues working offshore;
* reviewing company procedures and software projects, and providing feedback on courses and in-house training;
* working as part of a team of technical specialists.

Work conditions

* Typical starting salaries: £18,000 - £25,000 plus an allowance of £70 - £110 a day for each day spent offshore. In a full year, you will spend between 130 and 180 days at sea, earning an additional £10,000 - £17,000 (salary data collected Mar 09).
* The base salary for a party chief is around £40,000 with £100 to £170 per day for every day offshore, which is usually around 150 days per year, so earning potential can reach £70,000. An experienced freelance could earn up to £400 a day (salary data collected Mar 09).
* Salaries vary greatly depending on employer, location and experience.
* Working hours typically include regular unsocial hours and may be determined by weather and daylight. Work includes shifts.
* Work is largely offshore. For company personnel offshore work tends to be continuous from March to September with only slight slackening in the winter months due to the weather conditions. Onshore work generally follows a nine-to-five day, though hours may be longer if particular problems arise. For senior staff, weekend duty, which involves being on-call to handle any offshore problems, usually falls one weekend in every five. To see what conditions are like offshore, go to Oil and Gas 4U (http://www.oilandgas4u.com) .
* Opportunities for self-employment/freelance work are currently excellent, but depend on levels of commercial activity and your personal contacts. Contract surveyors would normally be expected to have five years' experience or more.
* The role is male-dominated, although this has changed from a 90:10 ratio to a 70:30 ratio in the last ten years and there is nothing about the job that precludes women from applying.
* The working and living environment may be in cramped and uncomfortable surroundings.
* Jobs are available worldwide at coastal and offshore sites. The work may involve international activity, onshore and port work. Staff are generally encouraged to live within commuting distance of the main office, although this is not essential as you will be flown to the port where you will join the ship.
* The role involves living away from home for extended periods, sometimes at short notice, which can be disruptive to your personal life. Long periods away from home are interspersed with short breaks onshore, spent either at home or at shore locations for reporting, training and development.
* Overseas work is common: oil and gas exploration currently provide many opportunities in countries such as Norway, the Arabian Gulf, China, the Pacific Rim, Venezuela, Mexico, the United States, West Africa and Angola.

Entry requirements

Although this area of work is open to all graduates and Diplomates, the following subjects may increase your chances:

* land/estate surveying;
* surveying, mapping science and cartography;
* geography and geographical information systems;
* engineering;
* physical, mathematical and applied science;
* computer science and software engineering;
* marine sciences and oceanography.

Although entry is technically feasible with any degree or HND, a postgraduate qualification in hydrographic surveying, hydrography or geomatics, is often necessary for those from non-relevant subjects. Computing and mathematical ability combined with one of the specialisms listed above is essential. There is no minimum degree requirement but, since there are currently fewer jobs than applicants, a high degree qualification will help.

Relevant experience through a sandwich placement or vacation work is very helpful and is recommended. Nautical, surveying or computing experience is highly valued by employers. It is also possible to qualify as a land surveyor, and then acquire the skills needed to move into hydrographic surveying by taking a postgraduate diploma or MSc in hydrography. Graduates with these qualifications are highly valued by employers.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

* the ability to work closely and get on with others in pressured situations;
* patience and a sense of humour;
* the ability to adapt sensibly to changing circumstances;
* communication skills, cultural awareness and foreign language skills;
* conscientiousness and the ability to maintain concentration - carelessness or a lapse in concentration may have drastic consequences in terms of the overall quality or efficiency of a survey.

Knowledge of global positioning systems/navigation, geographic information systems, nautical studies and emergency procedures is helpful, though not essential. A driving licence is usually required.

Recruitment is often through contacts with university departments and graduate fairs, though speculative applications are worth considering. See theInternational Federation of Hydrographic Societies (http://www.hydrographicsociety.org) list of members in the UK for contact details. Use your personal network of previous employers or contacts made through work experience or project work.

Here are some more ideas for improving your employment prospects.

* Joining a relevant professional body, such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) (http://www.rics.org) , the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (ImarEST) (http://www.imarest.org) , or the Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES) (http://www.ices.org.uk/) , as a student member is a plus and will be evidence of your interest in the sector. Active involvement in a professional body as a student introduces you to potential employers, gives you an insight into developments in the surveying profession and shows professional commitment.
* Attend employer presentations and contact recruitment consultancies regarding possible temporary and permanent vacancies.
* Keep in touch with your academic department, since employers may approach your tutors directly.
* Working over the summer or doing a placement will help you to get your foot in the door and may lead to full-time employment after graduation.

The lifestyle and nature of the work may favour younger entrants. However, experience may lead to organisational and analytical roles as consultants.

For more information, see work experience (www.prospects.ac.uk/workexperience) and find courses and research (www.prospects.ac.uk/pg).

Training

Training is generally all in-house. New graduate entrants spend one month, usually August, doing their initial training. The first week is usually spent on induction into the employing organisation; the next two weeks are a review of surveying and engineering, with an emphasis on what the organisation does; the final week is an offshore survival and orientation course, including fire fighting, helicopter escape skills, and offshore safety. For those who follow the naval entry route (see Royal Navy - scientific careers (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/careers-roles/scientific/) ) training is available via basic and long hydrographic courses at the Royal Naval Hydrographic School. These courses are accredited by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) (http://www.iho-ohi.net/) .


Career development

The usual career path is to start as a graduate entrant at the level of trainee surveyor, engineer or geophysicist (depending on your area of specialism). After completing your training, you then become a surveyor (engineer or geophysicist). The next step is senior surveyor and then principal surveyor. Principal surveyors may be assigned a management role as party chief or project manager. An alternative is to move into specialist technical support and development.

There are generally only a small number of management roles but often technical support provides a means of progressing into this area. As a manager, you start to play a different role, focusing more on client liaison, health and safety, procedural matters, overseeing staff, time-management, and offshore management.

There are also roles as base and staff surveyors, who provide onshore technical backup and training, although these posts are very limited in number.

Having gained four or five years' experience working in a company, it is quite common for hydrographic surveyors to set up on their own as self-employed contract surveyors.

Most promotion in the industry takes place by moving from company to company, although mergers and consolidation have limited the opportunities for this. Prospects may depend on mobility and economic climate.
Typical employers

Types of employers may be differentiated according to survey activity:

* National charting agencies concerned with the production of nautical charts. They are usually part of the Royal Navy (http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk) or civilian companies under contract to the navy.
* Port and harbour authorities. Most major ports and harbours have a self-contained survey department (which may consist of only one person). Others may rely on bringing in expertise from a contracting company.
* Contract survey companies who rely on winning contracts by competitive tendering to client companies. Some contract companies cover a wide range of expertise through their employees; others may limit themselves to a particular specialism, such as offshore geophysical work or onshore work associated with coastal engineering projects. The major UK companies are Fugro Survey, Gardline, Sonsub and Subsea7.
* Client survey companies that require survey work to be carried out and contract it to a contract survey company. They range from small port authorities and local government authorities to huge international oil companies and national government authorities.
* Equipment and software companies. Numerous service companies, including equipment development companies and software houses, employ hydrographic surveyors. Usually a minimum of four to five years' experience is required. There is a particular demand for software developers.
* Freelance surveyors and consultants. Those with considerable experience and confidence in the field generally obtain work by networking or through specialised consultancies. Contract survey companies largely recruit via agencies.

Some hydrographic surveyors, mostly those who are self-employed, undertake contract work in England during the UK's summer months and then work in the southern hemisphere during the UK's winter months. This pattern is proving to be on the increase, with Europe and Australia as popular work destinations.