The Black Sheep of Engineering

http://www.zeiglersurveying.com/

         On 220 Valley Rd. Sunbury Pa. 17801, in the middle of the country you will find a snow white sign with blue letters that says Zeigler Surveying with the signature compass logo. Located in the dead center of surrounded villages helps gain clientele from all around. Heading into the office of Zeigler Surveying, sounds fill the air with the racket of a printer printing maps overflowing the desks. Decorative world maps are precisely framed on the maroon wall along side a rusted barb wire collection, one of Brad Zeigler's prized possessions. Brad Zeigler is just that normal guy you pass by on the street but once you get to know him he is full of stories and wisdom.

            Surveying is the art and science of finding points on, above, or beneath the land. Considered to be an engineering job but truly is the "black sheep" of the engineering world. After his father suggested surveying to Brad, and taking countless hours conducting research, the conclusion came.  “Surveying consists of history, mathematics, and technology, along with working outdoors and hiking, I love to do all these things so this job peaked my interest,” explained Mr. Zeigler. 

          In 2008 Brad graduated from Penn State University with an Associates degree. While in college he worked with Parsons Surveying as an intern, then after graduating he went to work with Dawood. After a year he moved on to work with McTish and Kunkel. Brad worked at McTish and Kunkel for five years, half way through his last year he passed all the tests to become a licensed surveyor in Pennsylvania. Brad then created his pride and joy, Zeigler Surveying and has been the proud owner for two years. “In order to get your Surveying license in Pennsylvania, a surveyor has to have a two year degree or six years of experience to take the first test. Once they pass, then the surveyor needs four additional years of experience, in order to qualify for the second exam. Once the surveyor passes the second exam, then you get your official license,” comments Brad as he counts each year out on his fingers.

            A surveyors job is to measure property lines and boundary lines, along with laying out new roads. Before Brad leaves the comfort of the office and heads out against the elements, he gets the deed to the property. The deed of the property has what's called a monument on it. A monument is any item physically on the ground to show where the line will lay. Monuments can be anything from boulders, trees, or re-bar placed by other surveyors. “ If the monument is not in the deed then you need to use a professional opinion with the information you have to find where the line will lay,” Brad states “ This is the only time you will get to use an opinion while surveying, everything else in surveying based on facts.”

            Once Brad find the location of the monument, then the big guns are brought out. First, is usually a tape measure, this gives him a rough estimate on what to expect if he needs to measure in town between houses or in tight spaces. From there he uses a total station, or a GPS. Brad tells us, “ the total station measures angles and electronically will measure distance, it is a better tool for repetition because it is not as accurate but more precise.” The draw back with the total station is more fluently used with two people, and that it only can measure what it can “see” so trees and ridges can get in the way meaning more tear down and set ups and can be a real pain to operate with a single person. Brad explains the opposite for the GPS “ The GPS is smaller than the total station, it measures from satellites and requires 2 units, one unit is the control point set in one spot while the other is taken with you to measure the points. The GPS is more accurate but less precise.”After the data is collected, the units connected through Bluetooth to a data collector. All the information from the survey is stored in the data collector and it truly is the “Brains of the operation,” as Brad explains it. Once Brad collects all the info he heads back to the office and hooks the data collector to a computer where the data transfers to computer programs. “I use Carlson which sits on top of Auto CADD and then converts the points gathered to a visual form. These are then placed on a map and printed out. “All information gathered should always be presented by maps.” states Brad. The maps then get passed on for company or personal use for the client.

            “Surveying is not a get rich scheme,” Brad explains. “But you can make profit in a year. Surveyors do not usually have a repeat clientele, and I only had about 100 clients this year. But it does not matter how good you do your job. It's how you run your business, that is how you make money.” Brad explains how doing the right thing for the business, basing everything you do on facts, and making good executive decisions can make any business you own successful.

Old Surveying Equipment

(Theodolite)