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Central Minnesota's Game of Careers

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Civil Engineer Technician

Description of job: Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering or transportation staff.

Also known as: Civil Engineering Designer, Electro-Mechanical Technician (E/M Technician),  Electronics Technician,  Avionics Technician,  Calibration Technician,  Communication Technician,  Engineering Technician,  Industrial Engineering Analyst,  Instrumentation Technician,  Laboratory Technician,  Quality Process Engineer,  Spacecraft Systems Engineer,  Systems Test Technician,  Test Technician,  Manufacturing Engineer

Related Careers: Architectural and Civil Drafters, Civil Engineer Technicians, Surveying and Mapping Technicians, Surveyors,  Traffic Technicians & Wind Energy Engineers

Sources: Minnesota CAREERwise  & CareerOneStop

Typical Job ActivitiesSkills & KnowledgeAve Wage/Job OutlookEducation & Training

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

Wages Per Hour For Civil Engineer Technicians (Northwest MN)
Low

$27.33

Median

$30.92

High

$34.66

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



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Civil Engineer Technician (CareerOneStop)
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PARTNERS

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FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS

This virtual career exploration experience is financially supported in part by Sourcewell and the Central Minnesota Perkins Consortium, with the partnership of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and  Central Lakes College.


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