Civil Engineering Technician Job Description
Civil engineering technicians assist civil engineers in planning and designing bridges, roads, water/sewage systems, tunnels and other structures, according to StateUniversity.com. They additionally help plan the construction of new buildings and the abolishing of old buildings and can work for large corporations or city governments. Civil engineering technicians filled more than 91,000 jobs in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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Duties
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Civil engineering technicians conduct research that helps them to plan a project. For example, they might erect equipment to monitor traffic before determining the correct approach to take for a highway project. They also calculate the dimensions of a project to help civil engineers determine which materials are required, as well as the quantity and cost of these materials, according to CareerPlanner.com. In addition, civil engineering technicians test and analyze materials. They additionally help engineers survey an area and decide where a structure's foundation should be located, as well as create a scale drawing of a project using computers.
Other Responsibilities
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Civil engineering technicians additionally schedule the various stages of a project and collaborate with site supervisors and building contractors during a project. They must evaluate a project for design malfunctions and ensure the product is in line with drafted plans and established specifications. These professionals also produce related reports and record project activities. They report maintenance problems that take place at a project site and negotiate adjustments to help solve these issues as well. In addition, civil engineering technicians field inquiries from members of the public and respond to their complaints or suggestions.
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Skills
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Civil engineering technicians must have strong verbal and written communication skills. They also should have solid interpersonal communication skills, as they work with civil engineers and contractors from various building trades. These professionals additionally must be detail-oriented and should have good manual dexterity and eyesight. They must have strong computer skills, as well as a strong engineering and design background. Computer engineering technicians must be active learners, critical thinkers, good problem-solvers and good managers of time. They also should be creative in addition to being analytical.
Education
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Most civil engineering technicians have associate's degrees in engineering technology. These degree programs are available at vocational/technical schools, community colleges, universities and even in the military. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology accredits engineering programs, according to the BLS. Although certification is not required in this field, many employers prefer job candidates who are certified as well. Certification comes from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies or the American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians, according to Michigan.gov. Individuals who are interested in pursuing this field should complete high school courses in trigonometry, geometry and algebra along with science and computer courses.
Outlook
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Employment of civil engineering technicians was expected to increase 17 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the BLS. This can be attributed to the fact that more civil engineering technicians are needed to expand buildings, the water supply and transportation to accommodate population growth. Median annual wages of civil engineering technicians in May 2008 were $44,290, the BLS reports.
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References
- Photo Credit bridge image by Antons Trifonovs from Fotolia.com
