Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers plan and design major construction projects. From highways and bridges, to utilities and skyscrapers, they carry out planning and design activities, collect data, and help ensure projects are built correctly and stay on schedule. Civil engineering technicians typically work under the charge of licensed civil engineers. They sometimes estimate construction costs and develop specifications for construction. They also prepare drawings, survey land, and may set up instruments for traffic studies. Technicians may work at several sites, using vehicles as their mobile office. They may also work in laboratories to test construction materials, keeping careful records of their findings. Civil engineering technicians frequently work in teams with civil engineers, surveyors, and construction workers. These technicians usually work full time. They may visit jobsites to test materials and review technical documents to ensure designs are built correctly. Their schedules may be affected by construction project disruptions and deadlines. An associate’s degree in civil engineering technology is preferred for most jobs, though not always required.
What they do:
Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
On the job, you would:
Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities using calculator or computer.
Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.
Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects and to ensure conformance to specifications.
Engineering and Technology
product and service development
building and construction
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
physics
Business
administrative services
management
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
read and understand what is written
Math
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
Ideas and Logic
use rules to solve problems
notice when problems happen
Visual Understanding
see hidden patterns
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cooperation
Initiative
Adaptability/Flexibility
You might use software like this on the job:
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Bentley Microstation
Electronic mail software
IBM Notes
Microsoft Outlook
Map creation software
ESRI ArcGIS software
Geographic information system GIS software
certificate after high school or some college usually needed
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