Construction Careers

Civil Engineers
Table of Contents (scroll or use links below to navigate document) What They Do Tasks Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Work Environment Californias Job Outlook and Wages Trends Training Where Do I Find the Job? Where Can the Job Lead? Other Sources

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What They Do
Civil Engineers plan, design, and direct the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, pipelines, subdivisions, airports, waste water systems, and many other types of facilities. They may work in a specific field such as construction, land development, structural or hydraulic design, soil mechanics, waste water treatment, or solid waste management. They may also work with specialists on problems such as soil or ground water contamination or energy development and conservation. Civil Engineers may design the main features of a project, then direct the work of drawing plans, writing specifications, and preparing final cost estimates. They may prepare deeds, property descriptions, and right-of-way maps. In the field they usually do surveying, site investigation, construction inspection, or supervision. They may also sample and test soil or construction materials in the laboratory or the field. In structural work, Civil Engineers may work on detailed calculations to be certain that design features meet all structural requirements. They may go into the field to make sure that work in progress conforms to the plans and specifications; they may also inspect existing structures for repair or replacement needs. In transportation, Civil Engineers design streets and highways, and plan alterations to improve traffic flow. They do survey work, draw preliminary plans, or inspect and test materials to be used in construction. They may also prepare reports on environmental impact. Engineers may further specialize in a particular part of the work such as improving traffic signs, planning and designing impact devices, or studying pedestrian traffic. Others study population growth and industrial trends to determine future transportation needs.

Tasks
Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, and other topographical or geologic data to plan projects. Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems and structures, following construction and government standards, using design software and drawing tools. Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, and material stress factors to determine design specifications. Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
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Direct construction, operations, and maintenance activities at project site. Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations and establish reference points, grades, and elevations to guide construction. Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility. Prepare or present public reports, such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, and property and right-of-way descriptions.
Detailed descriptions of this occupation may be found in the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) at online.onetcenter.org.

Important Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Mathematics Using mathematics to solve problems. Science Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. Engineering and Technology Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. Design Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. Building and Construction Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

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Work Environment
Civil Engineers work in many different settings, ranging from quiet, modern offices to job sites in remote areas. The majority of Civil Engineers spend most of their time working in the office. Some are required to work at remote sites where the environment can be very hot or very cold. They may travel frequently or relocate temporarily while working on a distant project. They may work with other professional and technical personnel on temporary project teams. Civil Engineers always seem to be in demand and can find work in their field all over the world. Civil Engineers generally put in a standard 40-hour work week. Sometimes they work overtime hours to meet project deadlines. Self-employed Civil Engineers tend to work more irregular hours.

Californias Job Outlook and Wages

The California Outlook and Wage table below represents the occupation across all industries.
Standard Occupational Classification Civil Engineer 17-2051 Estimated Number of Workers 2006 Estimated Number of Workers 2016 Average Annual Openings 2009 Wage Range (per hour)

34,100

39,200

1,410

$33.67 to $50.08

Wages do not reflect self-employment. Average annual openings include new jobs plus net replacements. Source: www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov, Employment Projections by Occupation and OES Employment & Wages by Occupation, Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department.

Trends
The occupation of Civil Engineer will grow at an average rate compared to all occupations in California. Most job openings will occur to replace workers who retire or permanently leave the occupation for various reasons. Civil Engineers will be needed to repair or replace existing roads, bridges, and other public structures. Additional opportunities exist within non-civil engineering firms such as management consulting or computer services firms. With the greening of the construction industry, Civil Engineers will be in demand to design and construct higher capacity transportation, water supply and pollution control systems, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings and building complexes.

Training/Requirements/Apprenticeships
Civil Engineers must combine mathematical and mechanical aptitude with an interest in community affairs and environmental issues. They must be able to organize, analyze, and evaluate technical data to solve detailed engineering problems and work as part of a team. A bachelor of science degree in civil engineering is the minimum requirement for most entry-level positions. Some schools have civil engineering curricula accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). Employers advise students to acquire practical experience through summer jobs or college work-study programs. They also recommend computer science courses due to the reliance on computer technology in the profession. Registration by the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers is required of all consulting Civil Engineers and those responsible for approving plans, specifications, and reports. Many employers
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require registration for advancement to a specific level (Associate Civil Engineer in most public agencies). Registration requires passing two exams and from one to six years of civil engineer-ing work experience. Successful candidates receive a certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer. Recommended High School Course Work High school students planning to become Civil Engineers should take college preparatory courses such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, chemistry, physics, and English, as well as shop and drafting classes.

Where Do I Find the Job?

Direct application to employers remains one of the most effective job search methods. However, when filling entry-level positions, some employers conduct college campus interviews. Others request referrals from college placement centers or engineering department faculty. Employers and applicants may also use the placement services of professional associations, private employment agencies, or the California Employment Development Department. Government agencies generally issue civil service announcements describing all current openings and hiring procedures. Use the Find Employers feature in the Job Search Tools section on the Career Information page at www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov to locate employers in your area. When using the search feature Employers by Industry, select keywords from the following construction industry names to get a list of private firms and their addresses: Architectural Services Building Inspection Services Commercial Building Construction Drafting Services Engineering Services Geophysical Surveying & Mapping Services Industrial Building Construction Landscape Architectural Services Offices of Bank Holding Companies Offices of Other Holding Companies Other Surveying and Mapping Services Testing Laboratories

Search these yellow page headings for listings of private firms: Engineers-Civil Engineers-Consulting Engineers-Industrial Engineers-Manufacturing Engineers-Structural Engineers-Transportation

Where Can the Job Lead?

Civil Engineers are employed in most industries. Advancement opportunities exist along a specific career path. The main career path is to advance to a Senior Engineer and then Supervising Engineer. Some will advance to managerial positions within an organization. Lateral movement is quite easy for Civil Engineers. With their college engineering degree they can move around to many different occupations across most industries.

Other Sources of Information

California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors www.dca.ca.gov/pels American Society of Civil Engineers www.asce.org
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