We’re Hiring: Director of Land Surveying

Location: Arroyo Grande, California (Central Coast)
Schedule: Full-time, On-site (with hybrid flexibility after onboarding)
Salary Range: $125,000 – $140,000
Benefits: Full medical/dental/vision, SIMPLE IRA with match, paid vacation, bonus/profit-sharing
About Garing, Taylor & Associates, Inc. (GTA)
GTA has been serving the Central Coast with high-integrity civil engineering and surveying since 1962. We’re a team-oriented, privately owned firm that values thoughtful leadership, technical excellence, and strong community ties. As development accelerates throughout the region, we’re preparing for a new chapter — and we’re looking for a seasoned, forward-thinking Director of Land Surveying to help lead the way.
The Opportunity
This is more than a management role — it’s a rare opportunity to build and shape the future of GTA’s Survey Department, expand our market presence, and lead a capable team through its next phase of growth.
As Director of Land Surveying, you’ll be both a technical and strategic leader, guiding survey operations, mentoring emerging staff, engaging directly with clients, and helping drive business development throughout the Central Coast.
What You’ll Do
First 6 Months – Integration, Leadership, Assessment
  • Get fully immersed in field and office workflows alongside the current survey team
  • Co-manage field scheduling, boundary workflows, and client proposals
  • Evaluate current tools, software, and equipment needs
  • Begin shaping a strategic growth plan for the department
  • Collaborate closely with leadership on planning and budgeting
Months 7–12 – Department Ownership & Growth
  • Fully lead day-to-day operations and quality control across the survey department
  • Recruit and develop staff to match department and project growth
  • Maintain a billable rate of 75–90%, transitioning over time as team maturity allows
  • Drive outreach to architects, engineers, and agencies to expand GTA’s market presence
  • Develop annual plans for staffing, equipment investment, and revenue growth
What You Bring
  • Licensed PLS in California (or ability to obtain within 3–6 months)
  • 10+ years of progressive survey experience, with leadership and project management responsibility
  • Expertise across boundary, topo, ALTA, construction staking, and mapping
  • Comfort with Trimble, Civil 3D, UAV/drone workflows, and related modern tools
  • A confident, humble, entrepreneurial mindset — ready to lead a team and expand a business
  • Strong interpersonal skills and a client-service mindset
  • Ability to coach, mentor, and elevate others while advancing departmental goals
What We Offer
  • Leadership Autonomy — You’ll set direction, implement ideas, and grow your own team
  • Strong Compensation — $125K–$140K base salary, with bonus and profit-sharing potential
  • Comprehensive Benefits — Health, dental, and vision; SIMPLE IRA with 3% match; paid vacation; professional development support
  • Modern Tools — Access to the equipment and software needed to compete and lead
  • Culture of Trust & Collaboration — You’ll work directly with our CEO and senior staff in a flat, drama-free environment
  • Strategic Stability — Our firm has served the Central Coast for 60+ years and continues to grow in a healthy, high-demand market
How to Apply
Send your resume and a brief note about your interest to GTAJobs@garingtaylor.com. We’ll keep your information confidential and respond promptly.
This is your opportunity to take full ownership of a growing survey department — and help shape its future in a beautiful, high-demand region.
We’d love to meet you.