Career Facts - Civil Technology Program
What does a civil engineering technician do?
Civil engineering technicians assist civil engineers with the planning
and building of highways, buildings, bridges, dams, wastewater treatment
systems and other structures. Technicians may also perform related
surveys and studies in addition to inspecting water and wastewater
treatment systems to ensure that pollution control requirements are met.
Others estimate construction costs and specify materials to be used.
They work at various places, including construction or survey sites,
offices and testing labs.
Civil engineering technicians engage in
varied activities. State highway departments utilize their
services to collect data, design and draw plans, as well as to supervise
the construction and maintenance of roadways. Railroad and airport
facilities require similar services. Cities and counties need to
have transportation systems, drainage systems, and water and sewage
facilities planned, built, and maintained with the assistance of civil
engineering technicians.
Some technicians specialize in certain types of construction projects.
Highway technicians, for example, perform survey and cost estimates as
well as plan and supervise highway construction and maintenance.
Rail and waterway technicians survey, conduct specifications, cost
estimates, help plan, and construct railway and waterway facilities.
Assistant city engineers coordinate the planning and construction of
city streets, sewers, drainage systems, refuse facilities, and other
major civil projects.
Other technicians specialize in certain phases of the construction
process. For example, materials technicians sample and run test on
rock, soil, cement, asphalt, wood, steel, concrete, and other materials.
Photogrammetric technicians use aerial photographs to prepare maps,
plans, and profiles. Party chiefs work for licensed land
surveyors, survey land for boundary-line locations, and plan
subdivisions and other large-area land developments.
What types of skills are required?
The successful civil engineering technician
must have a working knowledge or an interest in learning college
algebra, trigonometry, civil drafting, composition, speech
(communications), surveying, and must be computer literate. A student
contemplating a career in civil engineering technology needs a desire to
be a builder or planner, an understanding of mathematics and sciences,
the ability to get along with others, an aptitude for learning, and the
ability to think and plan ahead.
A two year, Associate's degree, or four year,
Civil Engineering degree is desirable for successful employment
placement for the prospective up and coming Civil technician.
Prospective technicians should take all the mathematics (at least two
years of algebra, plane and solid geometry and trigonometry), sciences
(physics, chemistry, biology and any other general science courses) and
communications subjects available to them in high school. Other
useful courses include mechanical drawing and any available shop
courses. Civil engineering technicians often make use of mechanical
drawings to convey their ideas to others, and neat, well-executed
drawings are important to convey a sense of accuracy and competence.
Where are they employed?
Civil engineering technicians work for
construction, engineering, and architectural firms. They are also
employed by state, city, and federal government agencies, wastewater
treatment system plants, mapping agencies, and various private petroleum
and mining companies. They work with other employees at all levels
including engineers, surveyors, supervisors, managers, and skilled trade
workers who generally are supervised by experienced civil engineers.
Technicians may instruct or supervise other workers.
Working conditions for civil engineering technicians vary. They may work outdoors at construction or survey sites, at indoors in well lighted and ventilated offices, and/or in testing labs. Working outdoors may expose technicians to extreme types of weather and to such hazards as snakes, poison ivy, heat exhaustion, sunburn, and frostbite.
What do they earn?
Earning of civil engineering
technicians depend on their level of education, work experience, and
technical specialty. The average annual wage in 2000 was $55,000 and
ranged between $45,150 and $69,470 depending upon the size, type, and
geographical location on the company. Source:
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition, U.S. Department of
Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
What degrees are available?
Lansing Community College offers a Civil Technology Associate in Applied
Science degree. For transferability of civil technology courses, please
review the
transfer equivalency list.
Related occupations:
Civil Technology Civil Engineering Geographic
Resource & Environmental Technology program, Environmental Resource
Management Technology
Career Pathway:
Civil Technology is part of the Engineering/Manufacturing and Industrial
Career Pathway of the Michigan Career Preparation System.
For specific up-to-date information on wages and the employment outlook within the civil technology field, please refer to the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2002-03 Edition, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
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