A method for automatically grading a worksite using a grading vehicle may include receiving sensor data associated with detecting a light beam emitted from a light-emitting device positioned at the worksite, wherein the sensor data is received from at least one sensor installed on the grading vehicle. In addition, the method may include determining a relative horizontal distance between the grading vehicle and the light-emitting device based on the sensor data and determining a relative worksite position of the grading vehicle at the worksite based on the relative horizontal distance. Moreover, the method may include actively adjusting a position of a grading implement of the grading vehicle based on the relative worksite position of the grading vehicle to allow the worksite to be graded as the grading vehicle is moved relative to the light-emitting device across the worksite.