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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Civil Engineering Technician

💰 $45,000 - $75,000

EngineeringConstructionCivil EngineeringField TechnicianSurveying

🎯 Role Definition

The Civil Engineering Technician provides technical support to civil engineers and construction teams by performing site surveys, preparing and checking drawings and CAD models, conducting materials and soils testing, performing construction inspection and quality assurance, and maintaining project documentation. The role requires strong fieldwork capabilities, proficiency with surveying instruments and CAD software (AutoCAD/Civil 3D), and practical knowledge of construction methods, specifications, and regulatory standards (municipal, state DOT, OSHA). The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, safety-conscious, and capable of translating engineering designs into accurate field layouts and compliant construction practices.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Field Survey Technician or Survey Aide
  • Construction Inspector (entry-level)
  • CAD Drafter / Drafting Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Civil Engineering Technician
  • Construction Inspector II / Lead Inspector
  • Engineering Technician Supervisor / Project Coordinator
  • Staff Engineer / Engineering Technologist (with additional education)

Lateral Moves:

  • Surveyor / Geomatics Technician
  • Materials/Quality Control Laboratory Technician
  • Erosion & Sediment Control Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform field surveying using total stations, GPS, digital levels, and handheld data collectors to establish control points, set grades, collect topographic and as-built data, and verify stakeouts for roads, utilities, and site improvements.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate construction stakeout layouts, grade stakes, slope stakes, and alignment control based on engineering plans, ensuring clear communication to heavy equipment operators and contractors.
  • Produce, revise, and annotate engineered drawings and plans in AutoCAD and Civil 3D, including plan/profile sheets, right-of-way exhibits, utility plans, grading plans, and stormwater drainage details in accordance with project standards.
  • Conduct construction inspection and monitoring for earthwork, grading, paving, concrete placement, sanitary and storm sewer installation, and utility construction to confirm compliance with contract documents, specifications, and applicable codes.
  • Perform in-field materials testing and inspection, including soil density and moisture (nuclear gauge), aggregate gradation verification, concrete slump and cylinder sampling, asphalt density and mix verification, and record detailed test results for quality assurance.
  • Collect and process as-built information and prepare redline markups and “as-constructed” drawings, updating GIS layers and project databases to reflect final installed conditions and ensuring accurate recordkeeping.
  • Assist engineers with site investigations, performing field measurements, photographic documentation, and physical inspections to support design decisions, permit applications, and condition assessments.
  • Read, interpret, and verify engineering plans, blueprints, technical specifications, and standard details; identify plan discrepancies, coordinate clarifications with design engineers, and document requests for information (RFIs).
  • Set up and calibrate survey instruments, maintain field equipment (total station, GNSS receivers, levels, dataloggers), and troubleshoot instrument or data collection issues to ensure continuous, reliable field operations.
  • Lay out and verify temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control measures, stormwater management systems, and sanitary systems in coordination with environmental compliance requirements and permit conditions.
  • Perform utility locating and coordination with subsurface utility engineering (SUE) practices, mark existing utilities in the field, and confirm clearance or adjustment needs prior to excavation or trenching.
  • Prepare detailed daily field reports, inspection logs, test records, incident reports, and progress documentation for submission to project managers and regulatory agencies, ensuring clear audit trails.
  • Use GIS and field data to create topographic maps, contour models, and cross-sections, and convert field-collected points into CAD-ready formats for design and quantity estimation.
  • Assist with quantity takeoffs, measurements and preparation of pay items and change order documentation by measuring installed quantities in the field and reconciling with contract quantities.
  • Coordinate and communicate regularly with contractors, subcontractors, inspectors, utility owners, landowners, and stakeholders to schedule work, resolve conflicts, and ensure materials and workmanship meet project requirements.
  • Support traffic control layout and implementation around worksites by verifying signage, barricades, flagging procedures, and temporary traffic management plans comply with MUTCD and local agency requirements.
  • Conduct routine inspections of temporary construction measures (silt fences, inlet protection, check dams) and recommend corrective actions to avoid permit violations and protect stormwater quality.
  • Assist in geotechnical fieldwork by collecting soil borings, monitoring erosion control measures, and providing technician-level support for laboratory testing and sample documentation.
  • Maintain and organize project field files, drawing sets, permits, vendor certifications, material submittals, and inspection checklists for easy retrieval and regulatory compliance audits.
  • Participate in pre-construction meetings, walkdowns, and coordination sessions to align field procedures with contract requirements and engineer’s intent, providing practical input on constructability and staging.
  • Run basic engineering calculations under supervision (cut/fill estimations, slope checks, grade computations) to validate field layouts and support quantity and scheduling decisions.
  • Enforce site safety requirements, identify hazards, report incidents, and ensure field staff and contractors adhere to company safety procedures and OSHA regulations.
  • Assist with the review and implementation of specifications related to pavement structure, compaction requirements, concrete mix designs, and material acceptance criteria to ensure quality outcomes.
  • Provide mentoring and on-the-job training to junior technicians, subcontracted field staff, or interns on surveying techniques, inspection protocols, and documentation standards.

Secondary Functions

  • Support project administration tasks including preparing submittals, tracking permit renewals, and compiling documentation for project closeout packages.
  • Assist in preparing bidding documents and scope clarifications by providing measured site information, photos, and quantity estimates.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting field productivity, data capture, or documentation process enhancements.
  • Participate in community and stakeholder meetings as a technical representative when required, providing factual updates and answering practical site questions.
  • Maintain and update equipment inventories, order supplies, and coordinate calibrations and preventative maintenance for field instruments.
  • Help evaluate and trial new field tools, software, or testing methodologies to increase data accuracy and operational efficiency.
  • Provide support for emergency response activities related to infrastructure failures, storm damage assessment, and temporary repairs as assigned.
  • Coordinate with permit authorities and environmental monitors for inspections, sampling, and compliance checks when construction activities may impact regulated resources.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient in AutoCAD and Autodesk Civil 3D for drafting, plan production, and surface modeling.
  • Experienced in land surveying techniques using total stations, GNSS/GPS receivers, digital levels, and data collectors; able to process raw survey data into CAD/GIS deliverables.
  • Strong blueprint and plan reading skills, including ability to interpret plan/profile sheets, detail callouts, and specification sections.
  • Field inspection and quality assurance for earthwork, paving, concrete, and utility construction; knowledgeable of testing procedures and acceptance criteria.
  • Materials testing competency (concrete sampling/cylinders, asphalt core testing, soil density tests using nuclear or non-nuclear gauges) and familiarity with ASTM testing standards.
  • Knowledgeable about DOT agency standards, municipal public works specifications, and local stormwater/erosion control ordinances.
  • Competent with surveying software and data processing tools (e.g., Trimble Business Center, Carlson, MicroSurvey, Civil 3D point importing).
  • Basic GIS knowledge and ability to update spatial databases and export shapefiles/CADD-compatible geospatial data.
  • Skilled in using handheld data collectors, field tablets, and mobile apps for field data capture and photographic documentation.
  • Ability to perform quantity takeoffs, basic earthwork calculations (cut/fill), and prepare field-based measurement logs for pay items.
  • Familiarity with OSHA safety requirements, traffic control procedures (MUTCD), trenching/excavation safety, and site safety plan enforcement.
  • Competent report writing skills for inspection reports, daily logs, test summaries, and RFI documentation.
  • Familiarity with construction contract administration basics, submittal reviews, and non-conformance reporting.

Soft Skills

  • Clear and concise verbal communication with engineers, contractors, clients, and inspectors.
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy in field measurements, test records, and drawing updates.
  • Good organizational skills to manage multiple projects, prioritize inspections, and maintain thorough documentation.
  • Problem-solving mindset to identify issues in the field, propose practical solutions, and escalate complex matters appropriately.
  • Team player able to collaborate across disciplines and support both office and field staff.
  • Time management and reliability to meet tight construction schedules and respond to urgent field requests.
  • Customer-service orientation when interacting with clients, regulatory agencies, and the public.
  • Adaptability to changing site conditions, weather, and project priorities.
  • Professional judgment and ethical conduct in reporting results and enforcing safety/quality standards.
  • Coaching and mentoring ability to train junior staff and subcontractors in technical tasks and safety practices.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree or diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Technology, Surveying, or closely related technical program.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or Geomatics.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Civil Engineering Technology
  • Surveying & Geomatics
  • Construction Management / Construction Technology
  • Environmental Engineering Technology
  • Architectural / Engineering Drafting

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years of relevant field and office experience supporting civil engineering and construction projects.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years of progressive experience as a Civil Engineering Technician, Construction Inspector, or Survey Technician on municipal, transportation (DOT), or private site development projects, with demonstrated proficiency in surveying, AutoCAD/Civil 3D, and materials testing.
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