Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast

Episode 136 - We have a winner! The NSPS Podcast finds us in Morgantown, WV at the offices of Triad Engineering as hosts for the presentation of the 2022 Trig-Star National Competition to Lauren Shen.

We have a winner! This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast finds us in Morgantown, WV at the offices of Triad Engineering as hosts for the presentation of the 2022 Trig-Star National Competition to Lauren Shen, a student at Morgantown High School. Kevin Brockett, PLS, who serves as Triad’s Surveying Manager, sponsored Lauren, and her classmates in this year’s competition. Tim Burch attended the presentation and sat down with Lauren, Kevin, and Lauren’s teacher, Brian Jackson to discuss the Trig-Star test process and what lead to her success with the competition. Lauren also shared her thoughts on maintaining focus on school, personal time, and making sure to take care of her mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lots of great life lessons in this episode from a sixteen-year-old who truly sees the big picture. Congrats again on your achievement with the Trig-Star competition!

Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to your audio selections.

Episode 135 - This week’s episode is with Steve Martin, a recently retired surveyor formerly with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD).

It is often said that surveyors don’t know how to retire and that they go on to do bigger and better things. This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast proves exactly that as we catch up with Steve Martin, a recently retired surveyor formerly with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). He is a long serving CLSA member (2011 Member of the Year recipient) and dedicated steward to the “GPS on Benchmarks” initiative through NGS (for more information, listen to Episode 111 w/ Galen Scott). Steve recent chatted with Tim Burch about his efforts to recover and submit data for the initiative, thoughts on mentoring, and the future of the profession. Check out Steve’s efforts through his posts on LinkedIn and let him know that his work is appreciated! Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to your audio selections.

For more information about “GPS on Benchmarks,” visit the NGS website at:

https://geodesy.noaa.gov/web/science_edu/webinar_series/gpsonbm-nsrs-campaign-continues.shtml

https://geodesy.noaa.gov/GPSonBM/

Episode 134 - The NSPS Podcast finds us having a conversation with the US Forest Service.

This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast finds us having a conversation with the US Forest Service discussing how vital surveyors are to their overall mission as stewards of public lands. Joining Tim Burch for the podcast is Gino San Paolo and Forrest Decker, both surveyors with the Forest Service heading up operations in California and Georgia, respectively. They discussed what a typical day as a Forest Service surveyor is like, how boundary retracement is a key aspect of their duties, and why each day brings its own set of challenges and rewards. Gino and Forrest shared what the agency is looking for in hiring surveyors and technicians and how opportunities are abound with coming on board the US Forest Service. 

For more information on job openings within the Forest service, visit USAJOBS.gov for more information. Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to your audio selections.  

 

Episode 133 -Surveyor Says had a great conversation with Melissa Seitzinger, Project Development Manager for LJA Surveying in Tallahassee, FL.

The age old question for our storied profession has consistently been for (literally) centuries, “What does a surveyor do?” Whether it be for an audience of fellow professionals (engineers, architects, etc.) or John Q. Public, the surveying profession has struggled with telling our story of who we are and what we do. This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast asked that question during the Florida Surveying & Mapping Society (FSMS) Conference and ended up with a great conversation with Melissa Seitzinger, Project Development Manager for LJA Surveying in Tallahassee, FL. Melissa and Tim Burch sat down to discuss the challenges of “selling surveying” to not just those who may need our services, but to parents and their children who could potentially be our next generation of geospatialists. They also identified the ways surveyors can improve their communication, refine their presentation skills, and have a short “elevator speech” primed and ready for connecting with non-surveyors.

A big thanks to the FSMS staff for a great conference and giving us space to record this excellent conversation. Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to your audio selections.

Episode 132 - Surveyor Says catches up with the NSPS Trig-Star Committee

This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast catches up with the NSPS Trig-Star Program Committee as they complete their summer meeting. This session finds Tim Burch sitting down with the group during a break of test grading and strategic planning for the upcoming school year. Joining Tim is the Trig-Star Chair Jerry Juarez, Aaron Leach, John Chagnon, Mike Given, and Sherry Toutges to talk about the value of the Trig-Star program as a recruiting tool and outreach program to help students identify STEM-related careers. They also discuss scholarship opportunities and how the program gives our existing surveying practitioners an opportunity to connect with our future geospatialists.

The Trig-Star program has been in place for almost 40 years and continues to grow. Check out more information about the program at Trig-Star.Com. Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to your audio selections.

Episode 131 - Longest Active CST III!!

The NSPS Certified Survey Technician Program and increasing levels of certification provides real-world feedback on what a technician knows AND doesn’t know. This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast dives into two stories: one of a career that is just beginning, and another one who has taken advantage of the CST program and now gives back as a mentor to those just starting in surveying. Tim Burch recently talked all things CST with Larry Harvey, a Senior Technician who is the longest active CST III, and Ryan Baker, Field Technician who recent graduated from the IPLSA Surveying Apprenticeship Program AND Passed the CST Level I exam. Both gentlemen work for HLR Engineering, based in Elgin, Illinois with three offices throughout the state. They talked about the value of the CST program as a training tool and position evaluator, as well as the importance of having a good mentor while coming up through the ranks. Larry and Ryan also spoke of having a positive office culture that encourages continuing education for all staff and provides opportunities for each employee to achieve their own goals.

The CST program has been in place for over 35 years and continues to grow. Check out more information about the program at CSTNSPS.Com. Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to your audio selections.

Episode 130 - Next installment of ”From the Director’s Desk”

This episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast is the next installment of “From the Director’s Desk” and shares many of the recent events happening within the organization. Your host, NSPS Executive Director Tim Burch, shares recent happenings on conferences, presentations, and upcoming events and promotions. Lots of exciting developments with new affiliates, experiences, and plans for the future, so check it out for the latest news in the surveying and geospatial front.

For more information about these events, visit nsps.us.com for details. Thank for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to your audio selections.

Episode 129 - “Surveyor Says!” struck up a conversation with Warren Smith, L.S., Tuolumne County Surveyor and just happens to be the President (CLSA).

Eureka! While looking for a helping of Rice-A-Roni and a ride on a trolley car, “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast struck up a conversation with Warren Smith, L.S., Tuolumne County Surveyor and just happens to be the President of the California Land Surveyors Association (CLSA). He recently sat down with Tim Burch to discuss several topics central to surveying in the Golden State, including monument preservation after the devastating wildfires, effects of shifting tectonic plates and the role of the surveyor, and how membership in your professional organizations leads to more public awareness for the surveyor. Warren also shared his experiences of promoting “National Surveyor’s Week” on the municipal, county, and state levels with his fellow surveyors and technicians.

NSPS would like to thank Warren and his fellow CLSA officers and members for the recent passage of an affiliate membership agreement between our organizations. We appreciate the effort completed to make this partnership happen. Thanks for listening to the “Surveyor Says!” podcast, and subscribe wherever you listen to your episodes.

Episode 128 - The NSPS Podcast stays local with a short trip to the “District.” Our guest is Ramon Labrador, PLS, who was recently named as Deputy Surveyor for the District of Columbia.

This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast stays local with a short trip to the “District.” Our guest is Ramon Labrador, PLS, who was recently named as Deputy Surveyor for the District of Columbia. Tim Burch sat down with Ramon to trace his roots back to his native Puerto Rico, taking a chance on surveying when the engineering program was full, and his path to licensure in Maryland and D.C. He shared his thoughts on the importance of the four-year degree, mentoring, and being open to all aspects of surveying (inside and out!). Ramon also shared his viewpoint on the value of society involvement to enhance one’s knowledge and networking within the surveying profession. 

Come with us on a journey from the streets of Puerto Rico to the District of Columbia’s Surveying Office to hear Ramon’s impressive journey. Another great guest here on the “Surveyor Says!” podcast, so subscribe wherever you listen to your episodes. 

Episode 127 - Our guest this week is J. Anthony Cavell, PLS, CFedS, who current serves as President of American Association for Geodetic Surveying (AAGS).

In continuing with our “What is Surveying?” series, this week’s episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast takes us down to the parishes of Louisiana and the land of the tigers, specifically LSU Tigers. Our guest this week is J. Anthony Cavell, PLS, CFedS, who current serves as President of American Association for Geodetic Surveying (AAGS). He is also a Past President of NSPS and the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors (LSPS). Besides working at LSU in the Center for Geoinformatics (LSU C4G), Tony also an associate editor for Surveying and Land Information Sciences (SaLIS) and is a Board member of the Public Land Survey System Foundation (PLSSF). Tim Burch recently sat down with Tony to talk about the geodesy, the surveyor’s role with geodesy through the years, and how the paths are converging again with technology. 

Lots of knowledge and great ideas discussed here with Tony, so we definitely want to thank him for his dedication to the profession. Stay tuned to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast for more great topics and guests to come!