Civil Engineering Technicians

Career Description: 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.

Industry: Architecture and Engineering

Other Job Titles for Civil Engineering Technicians:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities using calculator or computer.
• Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects and to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings.
• Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.
• Prepare reports and document project activities and data.
• Confer with supervisor to determine project details such as plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions.
• Inspect project site and evaluate contractor work to detect design malfunctions and ensure conformance to design specifications and applicable codes.
• Plan and conduct field surveys to locate new sites and analyze details of project sites.
• Develop plans and estimate costs for installation of systems, utilization of facilities, or construction of structures.
• Report maintenance problems occurring at project site to supervisor and negotiate changes to resolve system conflicts.
• Conduct materials test and analysis using tools and equipment and applying engineering knowledge.
• Respond to public suggestions and complaints.
• Evaluate facility to determine suitability for occupancy and square footage availability.
• Determine quality, cost, strength and quantity of required materials, and enter figures on materials lists.
• Plot characteristics of boreholes for oil and gas wells from photographic subsurface survey recordings and other data, representing depth, degree and direction of inclination.
• Calculate heat loss and gain of buildings and structures to determine required equipment specifications, following standard procedures.
• Build landscape, architectural and display models.

Emerging Tasks

• Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance and to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
• Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
• Keep documentation of service histories on all biomedical equipment.
• Manage team of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and utilizing budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.
• Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• analyze engineering design problems
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• calculate engineering specifications
• communicate technical information
• conduct land surveys
• conduct plant location surveys
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• determine material or tool requirements
• develop plans for programs or projects
• draw maps or charts
• draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
• estimate cost for engineering projects
• estimate time needed for project
• evaluate costs of engineering projects
• evaluate engineering data
• evaluate product design
• examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
• explain complex mathematical information
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• inspect project operations, or site to determine specification compliance
• interpret aerial photographs
• interpret maps for architecture, construction, or engineering project
• judge distances
• judge soil conditions
• operate land or site surveying instruments
• operate precision test equipment
• perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
• prepare safety reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• read blueprints
• read maps
• read technical drawings
• recognize construction industry codes or symbols on blueprints
• resolve customer or public complaints
• resolve engineering or science problems
• understand construction specifications
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand property documents
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use building or land use regulations
• use chemical testing or analysis procedures
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use knowledge of materials testing procedures
• use knowledge of metric system
• use knowledge of regulations in surveying or construction activities
• use land surveying techniques
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use scientific research methodology
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• plan production processes
• plan scientific research or investigative studies
• plan testing of engineering methods
• prepare reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• provide analytical assessment of engineering data
• read technical drawings
• resolve engineering or science problems
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand properties of gases or liquids
• use chemical processing emergency procedures
• use chemical testing or analysis procedures
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use government regulations
• use hazardous disposal techniques
• use hazardous materials information
• use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use pollution control techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$20.47
• Average annual wage (2007) - $42,580.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 10.19%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 9,237
• Employment (2006): 90,650

• Civil Drafters
• Civil Engineers
• Electrical Drafters
• Electrical Engineering Technicians
• Materials Engineers
• Mechanical Drafters
• Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
• Traffic Technicians
• Mechanical Engineers
• Set and Exhibit Designers