James Uziallo, Surveyor
Who do you work for?
I work for Hydro Tasmania Consulting, which provides engineering and environmental services in the areas of renewable energy, power engineering and environmental and catchment management both across Australia and across the world. This includes the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a wide variety of major energy and water projects.
What does your job involve?
I work in the Sustainable Resources and Energy Department.
My responsibilities include:
- Undertaking engineering surveys for Hydro Tasmania’s engineers or for external clients such as Aurora Energy.
- Performing dam deformation surveys over some of the most remote parts of Tasmania’s spectacular wilderness.
- Carrying out ground penetrating radar surveys
- Locating underground electricity cables and fibre optic cables and creating maps to show their location.
Why did you choose to be a surveyor?
I wanted a job in which I would not have to be stuck at a desk all the time. And I also wanted to become part of a science, engineering and technology oriented profession like my father, who had strong influence on my decision. I am the third generation of my family to work for Hydro Tasmania.
What has been one of your recent achievements?
Highlights of my job have included working on the Messelroe wind farm project in north-eastern Tasmania, becoming the lead technical resource on ground penetrating radar technology and being the primary surveyor for the Dee Dam reconstruction project in Tasmania’s central Highlands.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love learning new things and gaining a wide variety of life and work experiences. I enjoy the constant challenges I face, as every day the job is slightly different. I enjoy working as part of a team, as my colleagues are a vast source of knowledge, and I also enjoy working alone. My job gives me the opportunity to do both. Moreover, many of the places I routinely visit are located in Tasmania’s amazing wilderness area.
What are some of the benefits that surveyors have in their jobs?
The main benefits of this job are the ability to have a balance between field work and office work, and travel. I have travelled extensively around Tasmania and interstate. Another benefit is training in areas like first aid and advanced four-wheel driving.
The typical starting annual salary of surveyors is around $50 000. Experienced surveyors receive $90 000 or more per year.
What training did you have for this job?
In my senior years at secondary school, I studied English, Advanced Mathematics, Physics, Physical Sciences and Environmental Science. I then completed a degree in Surveying and Spatial Sciences at the University of Tasmania. This degree takes four years. However, in the final year, one semester is spent in a paid work placement. For my placement I worked for a Queensland surveying company, and was involved with seismic surveys for oil and gas exploration for all over Australia.