Civil Engineering

Job Description

Civil Engineering jobs include the planning, surveying, design, direction of construction, building and maintenance of roads, bridges, pipelines, subdivisions, airports, waste water systems and many other facilities. Civil engineers may be in a specific field such as construction, infrastructure, land development, structural or hydraulic design, soil mechanics, waste water treatment or solid waste management. Work may also be on soil or ground water contamination or energy development and conservation.

Civil engineers must consider many factors in the design process, from the construction costs and expected lifetime of a project to government regulations and potential environmental hazards such as earthquakes. Civil engineering is regarded as one of the oldest engineering disciplines, encompassing many specialties. The major specialties include structural, water resources, construction, environmental, transportation, technician, technologist and geotechnical engineering. Civil engineers may hold supervisory or administrative positions, from being the supervisor of a construction site to city engineer. Other engineers may work in design, construction, research, and teaching. It is imperative that the professional stay up to date with the latest civil engineering technology. Civil engineering software has become an integral part of the job.

Many civil engineers are excellent planners and pursue managerial jobs that allow them to use this skill. They tend to be particularly good at estimating labor and materials needs, and many become professional staffers and materials buyers. Some civil engineers become materials researchers, while others become inspectors, checking the work of other civil engineers and receiving more regular hours for less pay. Much of the work may also take place as a civil engineering project.

Civil engineering may include the design of features of a project, and then the direction of the work of drawing plans, writing specifications and preparation of final cost estimates. The work may include preparation of deeds, property descriptions and right-of-way maps. Field work includes surveying, site investigation or construction inspection or supervision. Civil engineers may also sample and test soil or construction materials in the laboratory or the field.

Civil engineers working on structural matters may undertake detailed calculations so as to be certain that design features meet structural requirements. This may include field inspection of existing structures requiring repair or replacement.

Civil engineering career involves working in transportation design streets and highways and plan alterations in order to improve traffic flow. Transportation work may also include survey work, drawing preliminary plans or inspecting and testing materials to be used in construction. Reports on environmental impact may also be prepared. They may also improve traffic signs, planning and designing impact devices, and studying pedestrian traffic. Civil engineers may also be involved in studying population growth and industrial trends in order to determine future transportation requirements.

Working Conditions

The civil engineering career may involve work in many diverse settings in many different companies, from quiet, modern offices to job sites in remote/rural areas. Travel may be a frequent part of the job or even temporary relocation while working on a distant project. The work may involve other professional and technical personnel on temporary project teams. Many engineers find work in large civil engineering firms as consultants.

Entrance Requirements

The civil engineer should be able to combine mathematical and mechanical aptitude, with an interest in community and environmental affairs. The civil engineering job requires the ability to organize, analyze and evaluate technical data in order to solve detailed engineering problems and work as a team member.

A civil engineering degree (Bachelors) from a civil engineering school, university or college is considered the minimum requirement for most entry-level positions and civil engineering internships. In order to undertake research or university teaching, a master’s or Phd degree is required. Many employers recommend computer science courses as there is a reliance on computer technology in the profession. A master’s degree in civil engineering is fast becoming important for advancement in the civil engineering profession.

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