Civil Engineer Technician

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Review technical documents to plan work.
• Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems.
• Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.
• Prepare operational reports.
• Estimate operational costs.
• Survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features.
• Create graphical representations of civil structures.
• Create maps.

Typical Working Conditions

• Having face-to-face discussions.
• Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
• Working with a group or team.
• Frequent decision-making.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Sitting.
• Responsibility for outcomes and results.

Tools & Technology used by Civil Engineer Technicians

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Civil Engineer Technicians

• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• 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.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Mathematics—Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Solving Complex Problems—Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Civil Engineer Technicians

• 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.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• 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.
• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Mechanical—Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is seeing very high growth compared to other careers. There will be a need for about 2,353 new Civil Engineering Technicians to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career requires at least an Associate’s degree, and most professionals go on to earn a Bachelors degree.

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Accounting
• Algebra I and II
• Blueprint Reading
• Business Computer Applications
• CAD Design
• Drafting
• Electronics
• Geometry
• Physics
• Technical Writing
• Trigonometry
• Woodworking

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise