Staff Spotlight: Ken Davidson, RLS

Ken Davidson has been a cornerstone of Civiltec for over 20 years, specializing in surveying with expertise in boundary analysis, topographic surveys, and construction observation. His meticulous approach and dedication to mentoring new graduates have significantly contributed to Civiltec’s success in Arizona.

Celebrating 20 years with Civiltec, what has been the most rewarding aspect of your journey so far?

We have so many great, knowledgeable, and longstanding employees here at Civiltec. I think it really shows the devotion our employees have for the company. The Civiltec staff has put a lot of effort into training and standardization, making it more seamless to work with everyone as we produce a consistently similar-looking and functional product. Also, we have lots of great return clients—some, as long as I’ve been here. I think it shows that the clients also appreciate the company and the effort put in by the owners.

How has the field of surveying evolved since you started, and how have you adapted to these changes?

When I started surveying in 1998, the only GPS our company had was for static observations, which usually required surveying after midnight for two hours per survey point. Now, we can survey on the fly with access to satellites from many different countries using just a rover at any time of day. The generous owners at Civiltec have provided training and access to these new technologies. It’s really a joy to use a robotic total station after spending so many years pulling a chain.

Civil 3D has adapted exceptionally well to the use of automated linework, which really helps with drawing up fieldwork from the survey crews. We used to draw topographic surveys that were basically “dot to dot,” but Civiltec has taken automation to new levels with its knowledgeable staff. Mapping programs such as Global Mapper and access to recent aerial imagery with Nearmap really help with problem-solving, something we never had access to before.

What project are you most proud of and what made it stand out?

We’ve had at least two outstanding projects at the Prescott Airport. One was generally for runway and storm drain improvements, and the other was for air tanker base improvements several years later. I think those stand out for me because I spent so much time at the airport. I feel those two projects were designed very thoughtfully, and I remember almost no issues during construction. I also remember spending a lot of time with some awesome construction personnel who really made the project a pleasure.

How has your role at Civiltec influenced your professional growth and personal development over the past two decades?

It has allowed me to be both a student and a teacher. For instance, we had some fun summers training interns in the survey field. I was able to train someone with zero knowledge of the field and have them working alongside me with confidence just days later. Training someone really shows whether you have enough knowledge to perform the task yourself. Also, training others has made me more organized mentally, both for myself and for the staff.

Looking back, what key skills or knowledge have been critical to your success in surveying?

Having an open mind to using new technology has been crucial, as Civiltec has been able to keep up with new innovations. Other helpful aspects include taking notes, referring back to them, staying organized, and daily repetition. It’s also important to have a flexible schedule (including long hours), be as prepared as possible, and be willing to spend long periods of time with coworkers out of town. Being open to performing other tasks has always been useful to me and helps provide work if typical survey work slows down. In the past, we have performed sewer inspections, potholing, and worked with other computer programs.

What excites you most about the future of surveying and civil engineering? Or Civiltec?

Civiltec has been able to secure so many great clients and projects over the years. It’s a pleasure to work on such great projects that benefit the community. I enjoy working with repeat clients because we generally understand what our end product should be. I know that in the future, we will be working on some interesting projects.

In your opinion, what makes Civiltec a unique and special place to work?

We have so many great employees who really understand how the company functions. Also, the owners are very approachable and typically understanding of staff needs. If you have a real need for something that will assist you, the owners may take it into consideration, such as updated survey equipment or software.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the field of surveying today?

Try to work with someone knowledgeable who can show you the basics. Start off slow and expect to be a helper for a few years. You should anticipate lots of repetition, long days, and the possibility of out-of-town work. Look for ways to check your work to minimize mistakes. If you complete your task(s), ask for additional work to stay busy. The party chief has a lot of responsibilities and commitments that may extend beyond the workday, and you can assist with those. Learn other programs and see if you can take additional training on them. Helpful skills include learning to use a 10-key (yes, I use 10-key for distances and bearings nearly every day), as well as learning Civil 3D, Excel, Word, and Trimble software.

Can you share how your love for camping and spending time outdoors has shaped your perspective on surveying and the projects you manage?

Being out of town surveying and being out camping definitely have similarities. For instance, you want to plan ahead as much as possible for both. You definitely don’t want to hit the road without knowing where you’re going, without directions, without sustenance, and completely unprepared. Surveying typically involves many specialized items throughout the day, and forgetting one thing can send you back to the office, upsetting schedules. You don’t want to drive two hours to the job site only to realize you left the survey collector on the tailgate of the truck or the GPS batteries on charge at home. Similarly, with camping, you want to check the weather and prepare accordingly.

How is it being back with the guys in Prescott?

Wonderful. I’m happy to be back, and they seem happy that I’m back. It’s almost like I was gone only a few days and picked up where I left off. I was surprised at how easily I got back into Civil 3D, records research, etc.

How has your commitment to mentorship influenced your career, and what is one piece of advice you consistently share with new graduates entering the field of surveying?

I’ve had many great mentors, and I hope I’ve been a good mentor to at least a few coworkers. I like the idea of new graduates starting with the basics and working their way up in responsibility. For my first job out of college, my supervisor required me to take two surveying classes. These classes were about pulling chains, using plumb bobs, making field notes, and using levels (basics). The class had to work in teams and produce a combined product, which parallels being at work. I like the idea of starting with the basics, and yes, we still sometimes use the old tools.