Civil Technician Job Description

Civil engineers, also known as civil engineering technicians, contribute to infrastructure projects such as road and bridge construction by providing direct support to civil engineers. They balance technical and mathematical aptitude to design and calculate component dimensions and specifications with direct on-site testing and monitoring throughout the project life cycle

Civil engineers work on a wide variety of infrastructure projects, in addition to supporting land development activities for commercial, industrial, and residential construction projects. They generally work as part of a team of civil technicians who rely on a civil engineer to coordinate the project components.

Duties and responsibilities of the civilian technician

The functions of civil technicians depend on the specific project or their areas of expertise, but depending on the positions we have analyzed, they all share the main responsibilities:

Conduct surveys on the site

Civil engineers prepare for civil engineering projects by conducting surveys and gathering information on proposed project sites. They visit the sites to take measurements and determine if they are appropriate for the proposed projects, gathering information related to altitude and current use. For highway projects, civil engineers also monitor traffic levels and surrounding road conditions.

Prepare projects and specifications

Civil engineers support civil engineers by preparing drawings and data sheets for complete projects or components. This may include developing dimensional drawings for design elements using computer-aided processing programs or preparing material specification documents for contractors. Civilian technicians also review plans and designs prepared by other team members to ensure they are technically sound and error free.

Estimation of requirements and costs of materials.

Civil engineers help maintain project budgets by estimating material requirements and costs based on project models and specifications. This may also involve reviewing bids and suppliers to determine the best costs for project materials and making recommendations to civil engineers and project managers on suppliers and vendors.

Inspect construction sites

Throughout the project life cycle, civil engineers conduct periodic site inspections and monitor the contractor's activities. These inspections involve verifying that contractors are following project plans and specifications, while complying with local, state, or federal building codes. When conducting these inspections, civil engineers also provide advice or guidance to contractors or work with civil engineers to determine whether design elements may deviate from designs.

Perform Material Testing

Civilian technicians test materials in a laboratory throughout the design and construction process. This may involve taking soil samples and analyzing, as well as testing building materials and items such as concrete. This ensures that projects are durable and safe for long-term use and can influence decisions about the use of materials and floors in the planning phase.

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