CIVIL ENGINEERS California Occupational Guide Number 39 Interest Area 5-A 1998
THE JOB
CIVIL ENGINEERS plan, design, and direct the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, pipelines, subdivisions, airports, waste water systems, and many other types of facilities. They may work in a specific field such as construction, land development, structural or hydraulic design, soil mechanics, waste water treatment, or solid waste management. The may also work with specialists on general problems such as soil or ground water contamination or energy development and conservation.
Civil Engineers may design the main features of a project, then direct the work of drawing plans, writing specifications and preparing final cost estimates. They may prepare deeds, property descriptions and right-of-way maps. In the field they usually do surveying, site investigation, or construction inspection or supervision. They may also sample and test soil or construction materials in the laboratory or the field.
In structural work, engineers may work on detailed calculations to be certain that design features meet all structural requirements. They may go into the field to make sure that work in progress conforms to the plans and specifications; they may also inspect existing structures that may need repair or replacement.
In transportation, engineers design streets and highways and plan alterations to improve traffic flow. They do survey work, draw preliminary plans, or inspect and test materials to be used in construction. They may also prepare reports on environmental impact. Engineers may further specialize in a particular part of the work such as improving traffic signs, planning and designing impact devices, or studying pedestrian traffic. Others study population growth and industrial trends to determine future transportation needs.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Civil Engineers work in many different settings, ranging from quiet, modern offices to job sites in remote areas. They may travel frequently or relocate temporarily while working on a distant project. They may work with other professional and technical personnel on temporary project teams.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Many Civil Engineers work in city, county, state or federal government. Others work in engineering consulting firms or as independent consultants. Some engineers work for construction companies and a few teach in colleges or universities, either full or part time.
The California Projections of Employment, published by the Labor Market Information Division, shows that the number of civil engineers will grow at an average rate through 2005. (Projected growth for all occupations in California is expected to average 27 percent through 2005.)
Estimated number of workers in 1993 28,380 Estimated number of workers in 2005 34,790 Projected Growth 1993-2005 23% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 10,410
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
Employment in this profession is heavily influenced by fluctuations in construction activity and government hiring. Presently, employment growth in each of these areas is somewhat restricted. While the supply of inexperienced graduates is generally adequate for the number of entry-level positions, there are shortages of highly-qualified engineers with particular skills and experience. The strongest demand will most likely be in construction, transportation, energy production and distribution, environmental protection and seismic engineering. Due to greater reliance on computer technology in this field, opportunities will be especially good for Civil Engineers with training or experience in computer science. Seismic Engineers, Energy Production and Distribution Engineers, and Environmental Protection Engineers are in particular demand.
WAGES, HOURS AND FRINGE BENEFITS
The hourly median wage for Civil Engineers in California is $29.71.
Fringe benefits usually include paid vacation, sick leave and health insurance. Some employers offer retirement programs or profit sharing, as well. The normal workweek for Civil Engineers is 40 hours, with some overtime work required to meet project deadlines. Those working on construction projects, for example, often work overtime during busy periods.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Civil Engineers must combine mathematical and mechanical aptitude with an interest in community affairs and environmental issues. They must be able to organize, analyze, and evaluate technical data to solve detailed engineering problems and work as a team member.
High school students planning to become Civil Engineers should take college preparatory courses such as chemistry, physics and English, as well as shop and drafting classes. They should take as many math classes as possible, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.
A Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering is the minimum requirement for most entry-level positions. Research or university teaching requires a masters or Ph.D. degree. Some schools have civil engineering curricula that are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). Employers advise students to acquire practical experience through summer jobs or college work-study programs. They also recommend computer science courses because of the reliance on computer technology in the profession.
Registration by the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers is required of all consulting Civil Engineers and those responsible for approving plans, specifications, and reports. Many employers require registration for advancement to a specific level (Associate Civil Engineer in most public agencies). Registration requires passing two examinations and from one to six years of civil engineering work experience. Successful candidates receive a certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer.
ADVANCEMENT
Civil Engineers working in government usually begin their careers as junior engineers. As they gain experience, they may advance to assistant, associate, and senior-level positions. To attain higher salaries, qualified engineers working in civil service can move into management and administrative positions.
Civil Engineers working in private industry can be promoted to more responsible jobs such as staff engineer, project engineer, or principal engineer.
When qualified, they can work as a consultant in a private firm or enter administrative work where they can advance to the upper management level. A Master of Science degree is becoming increasingly important for advancement in civil engineering.
FINDING THE JOB
When filling entry-level positions, some employers conduct college campus interviews. Others request referrals from college placement centers or engineering department faculty. Higher-level jobs may be advertised in newspapers and professional journals. Employers and applicants may also use the placement services of professional societies, private employment agencies, or the California Employment Development Department. Government agencies generally issue civil service announcements describing all current openings which are filled through civil service hiring procedures.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers 2535 Capitol Oaks Dr., Suite 300 Sacramento, CA 95833-2926 (916) 263-2200 www.asce.org/
The American Society of Civil Engineers
Washington Office: 1015 15th St. N.W. Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 789-7496
World Headquarters: 1801 Alexander Graham Bell Drive Reston, VA 20191-4400 (703) 295-6300
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Industrial Engineers No. 3 Mechanical Engineers No. 5 Electrical/Electronics Engineers No. 12 Urban Planners No. 175 Architects No. 210 Drafting Occupations No. 338
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed.,1991) Civil Engineer 005.061-014 Structural Engineer 005.061-034 Transportation Engineer 005.061-038 Waste-Management Engineer 005.061-042
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Civil Engineers-Including Traffic 221210
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162
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