The Man Who Draws The Lines: Interview with BLM Surveyor Monte King

What's it like to find an original survey monument from the 1850s, knowing you're the first person to touch it in over 150 years?For Monte King, a Supervisory Land Surveyor for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), it's the "thrill" of the job.In the very first "Community Wisdom" episode of the Pulaski Planner podcast, I sit down with Monte for a fascinating look into the world of cadastral survey. As a second-generation federal employee, Monte shares what it's like to have a career that is a mix of being a historian, an investigator, and a technical expert.His passion for his work is infectious—he's a self-described "lifer" who plans to "continue surveying" long after he's eligible for retirement because he loves the work so much.In this conversation, Monte shares:The investigative "thrill" of tracing 1800s deeds and uncovering original corner markers.The vital, unsung role cadastral survey plays in our public lands—from enabling fire rehabilitation to providing the essential boundary data for the mapping apps we all use, like onX Maps.His non-traditional career path to becoming a licensed surveyor without a college degree.The "family sacrifice" and professional advantages of moving 5-6 times for career advancement.His passion for legacy, including co-authoring a BLM curriculum to inspire the next generation of surveyors.This conversation is a powerful reminder of what a career built on passion, mission, and stewardship truly looks like.About Our GuestMonte King is a second-generation federal employee and a Supervisory Land Surveyor for the BLM in Idaho. His career started in 1996 and has taken him to 17 states across 4 BLM State Offices. He is licensed in Alabama and Idaho.About Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski PlannerHi, I'm Catherine Kirchner, a Financial Planner and the author of the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in providing financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and other public lands agencies.Let's Connect:Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap? Schedule a complimentary "Retirement Lookout Session" here.Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter, "Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout"Connect on LinkedIn: Catherine Kirchner on LinkedInDisclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice.