Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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Duties

Civil engineering technicians and technologists often perform the following tasks:

• The dimensions of structures may be deduced from project drawings and blueprints.
• With the help of engineers, put up a plan.
• Estimate the costs and time required to build and maintain systems and facilities
• CAD software may be used to create project renderings.
• To gather information about the current state of a location, do field surveys.
• Test the suitability of building materials and soil samples for the project.
• Observe building sites to check that the design specifications and relevant codes are being followed.
• Gather information, compile reports, and maintain records for all aspects of the project.
• Help to set up and manage project data and files.
• Install, troubleshoot and maintain designs generated by civil engineers are normally handled by civil engineering technicians. Engineers and engineering technologists may supervise their job.

Most of the time, civil engineering technologists work with licensed engineers to enhance designs or implement new technologies. A civil engineering technician may be a team leader, training other civil engineering technicians on how to install various types of equipment and systems.

There are technologists and technicians that monitor progress on a worksite and gather data to keep track of what's going on. Because civil engineering technologists and technicians are not licensed, they are unable to approve designs or monitor the project as a whole.

Other tasks performed by civil engineering technologists and technicians include developing requirements and producing drawings. They may also be responsible for setting up and monitoring traffic instrumentation. They often utilize software to create projects, gather and analyze data, generate reports, and handle files as part of their job responsibilities.

Education

In order to prepare for a career in civil engineering, students need complete courses in science and math, including chemistry, physics and geometry.

An associate's degree from an ABET-accredited school may be preferred by employers when hiring engineering technologists and technicians, although it is not necessarily necessary. Technical or vocational institutions that provide a postgraduate certificate or diploma also offer engineering technology programs.

Coursework in engineering, design, and science may be included in both degree and nondegree programs.

For civil engineering technicians, a bachelor's degree in engineering technology is often required.

Experiential Learning

Working as a drafter or computer-aided design (CAD) operator gives certain civil engineering engineers and technicians the experience they need to join the field. As their understanding of design and construction grows, drafting or CAD operators working for an engineering business may be promoted to the position of civil engineering technologist or technician.

Registration, Licenses, and Certifications

Certification isn't essential to work in this field, but it may assist technicians and technologists progress in their professions. When it comes to certification for civil engineering workers, the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) regulates the process. Recertification by the National Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technicians (NICET) is a requirement for technicians to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.

Advancement

Learn to design storm sewer systems and become proficient at interpreting graphical drawings of proposed projects if you want to grow in your profession as a civil engineering technician or technologists.

Technologists may rise through the ranks after completing the necessary training or certification requirements.

Qualities that matter

abilities to think critically Engineers' ideas and designs are carried out by civil engineering specialists and personnel. Reports and papers about these initiatives must be understood by those who work on them.

Ability to make decisions. Civil engineering technicians and technologists must be able to identify which information is most critical and which actions will assist maintain a project on time.

Skills in math. For analysis, design, and troubleshooting, civil engineering technologists and technicians employ arithmetic.

The ability to observe. A civil engineering technician or technologist may visit a project site to inspect it and report back to an engineer.

Ability to work with issues. These technologists and technicians must be able to assist civil engineers in identifying and solving issues.

Skills in writing. To be a civil engineering technician or technologists, you must be able to write reports that are clear and concise.

Pay

The median annual wage for civil engineering technologists and technicians was $60,700 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,120, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $91,010.   

Job Projections

Employment of civil engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations.