National
| Median wages (2008) |
$21.29 hourly, $44,290 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
91,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
27,000 additional employees |
17-3022.00 - Civil Engineering Technicians
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Engineering Technician, Civil Engineering Technician, Civil Engineering Designer, Engineering Assistant, Transportation Engineering Technician, Civil Designer, Engineering Specialist, Civil Engineering Assistant, Construction Analyst, Design Technician
Tasks
- Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects and to ensure conformance to specifications.
- 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.
- 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.
- Develop plans and estimate costs for installation of systems, utilization of facilities, or construction of structures.
- Prepare reports and document project activities and data.
- Respond to public suggestions and complaints.
- Report maintenance problems occurring at project site to supervisor and negotiate changes to resolve system conflicts.
- Evaluate facility to determine suitability for occupancy and square footage availability.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Augers — Bucket augers; Hand augers; Soil augers |
| Concrete or cement testing instruments — Metal cones; Paving sample splitters; Slump cones; Stabilometers |
| Soil core sampling apparatus — Soil sampling tubes; Split-spoon samplers; Thin-walled Shelby tubes |
| Soil testing kits — Soil resistivity test kits |
| Theodolites — Engineers' transits; Total stations |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Coordinate geometry COGO software |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D; Autodesk AutoCAD software; Autodesk Land Desktop |
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Graphics software |
| Map creation software — Digital terrain modeling software; Geographic information system GIS software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
