Civil engineering technicians are professionals who work with civil engineers on construction sites. They help prepare construction specifications, use surveying instruments, make project dimensional drawings, and inspect finished work to ensure it meets environmental and engineering specifications. Civil engineering technologists and technicians also work in offices, assisting civil engineers in planning and designing projects. They may also visit construction sites to collect or test materials or observe activities such as project inspections. Civil engineering technicians can work in multiple locations, using cars or trucks as a mobile office.
They provide technical support to engineers on construction projects, often specializing in one area of civil engineering such as design, planning or logistics. Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers plan, design, and build roads, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure projects. They also help plan, design and build commercial, industrial, residential and land development projects. Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers plan and design large construction projects. From highways and bridges to utilities and skyscrapers, they conduct planning and design activities, collect data, and help ensure projects are built correctly and kept on schedule.
Civil engineering technicians usually work under the direction of licensed civil engineers. They may estimate construction costs and develop specifications for construction. They also prepare drawings, topography of the terrain and can configure instruments for traffic studies. Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers plan, design, and build roads, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure projects. Civil engineering technologists and technicians can advance their careers by learning to design systems for a variety of projects such as storm sewers and gain skills to read graphic drawings of proposed projects.
Sometimes they are significantly involved in monitoring progress in the workplace. Civil engineering technologists often help licensed engineers improve designs or incorporate new technologies into existing designs. Civil engineering technicians often work in teams with civil engineers, surveyors, and construction workers. They may visit job sites to evaluate a project and inform the engineer. If you are interested in a career as a civil engineering technician, you should learn more about your daily tasks and your average salary. It is important for a civil engineering technician to have a comprehensive understanding of scientific and mathematical principles and conventions so they can begin preparing for this career by taking mathematics and science courses during their secondary and high school education.
Engineering technology programs are also available at technical or vocational schools that award a graduate certificate or diploma. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes civil engineering technician work as helping engineers plan, design and build infrastructure projects. They have fewer studies than a civil engineer and do not need a professional license so their work is supervised and approved by a civil engineer. A civil engineering technician is a professional who helps with civil engineering tasks such as collecting data, researching, monitoring construction progress, and planning new projects.
