Occupation Details
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
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Interests
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.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
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.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$40,230.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$62,950.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$72,190.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
1,690
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
1,800
+11 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
171
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active 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.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
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.
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.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Analytical balances
- Blueprint machines
- Brickmasons' trowels
- Bucket augers
- Compression testing machines
- Computer scanners
- Dessicators
- Dilatometers
- Dropping pipettes
- Drying ovens
- Engineers' transits
- Evaporating dishes
- Field data collectors
- Filter papers
- Glass beakers
- Glass burets
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Graduated glass cylinders
- Hand augers
- Hand-operated boring machines
- Handheld digital thermometers
- Hydrometers
- Inclinometers
- Kneading compactors
- Laboratory balances
- Laboratory bulb syringes
- Laboratory mechanical convection ovens
- Laboratory test sieves
- Laboratory vials
- Load cells
Technology
- Bentley MicroStation
- Bentley Systems InRoads Suite
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Coordinate geometry COGO software
- Digital terrain modeling software
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Email software
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Graphics software
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Microsoft Word
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- operate precision test equipment
- use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
- operate land or site surveying instruments
- develop plans for programs or projects
- evaluate product design
- judge soil conditions
- prepare safety reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- inspect project operations, or site to determine specification compliance
- resolve customer or public complaints
- explain complex mathematical information
- interpret aerial photographs
- interpret maps for architecture, construction, or engineering project
- estimate cost for engineering projects
- estimate time needed for project
- judge distances
- determine material or tool requirements
- draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
- draw maps or charts
- calculate engineering specifications
- communicate technical information
- analyze engineering design problems
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- conduct land surveys
- conduct plant location surveys
- evaluate costs of engineering projects
- evaluate engineering data
- analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
- use chemical testing or analysis procedures
- use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
- use land surveying techniques
- use knowledge of regulations in surveying or construction activities
- use scientific research methodology
- use technical regulations for engineering problems
- use building or land use regulations
- use knowledge of materials testing procedures
- use knowledge of metric system
- resolve engineering or science problems
- confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
- understand engineering data or reports
- understand property documents
- understand construction specifications
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- recognize construction industry codes or symbols on blueprints
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
- examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
- use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
- read blueprints
- read maps
- read technical drawings
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities, using calculator or computer.
- Inspect project site and evaluate contractor work to detect design malfunctions and ensure conformance to design specifications and applicable codes.
- Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.
- Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Conduct materials test and analysis, using tools and equipment and applying engineering knowledge.
- Develop plans and estimate costs for installation of systems, utilization of facilities, or construction of structures.
- Confer with supervisor to determine project details such as plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions.
- Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings.
- Prepare reports and document project activities and data.
- Develop project budgets by estimating the cost of project activities.
- Evaluate facility to determine suitability for occupancy and square footage availability.
- Plan and conduct field surveys to locate new sites and analyze details of project sites.
- Respond to public suggestions and complaints.
- Negotiate with contractors on prices for new contracts or modifications to existing contracts.
- Report maintenance problems occurring at project site to supervisor and negotiate changes to resolve system conflicts.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
ACE Mentor Program Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction, or Engineering
The ACE Mentor Program serves high school youth who are exploring careers in Architecture, Construction, or Engineering.The mentors are professionals from leading design and construction firms who volunteer their time and energy. The program is designed to engage, inform, and challenge youth. New York Chapters include Long Island, New York City, Utica, Buffalo, Capital District, Syracuse and Binghamton
Learn MoreAll Engineering Schools
Engineers are essential to our lives as they help design and create everything from agriculture systems to household electronics and daily transportation. comprehensive online directory of accredited engineering colleges and engineering career resources. Check out All Engineering Schools to help you find the degree and education resources you need to realize your personal goals.
Learn MoreAmazing Space
Amazing Space uses the Hubble Space Telescope's discoveries to inspire and educate about the wonders of our universe. Find all the classic Amazing Space activities. Get to know our vast universe by exploring its planets, galaxies, comets, black holes, and more. The online explorations, adventures and highlights of the month's stars are available with teacher tools.
Learn MoreAmerican Design Drafting Association (ADDA)
The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) is a professional membership and educational society dedicated to serving the professional growth and advancement of the individual working in the design drafting community. ADDA is the only membership organization dedicated exclusively to the professional designer/drafter in all disciplines.
Learn MoreAmerican Geological Institute
AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in their profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources and interaction with the environment.
Learn MoreAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 133,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide, and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE's vision is to position engineers as global leaders building a better quality of life.
Learn MoreAnnual Balsa Wood Bridge Competition
The Student Construction Association at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse is pleased to invite your school to this annual competition, which typically takes place in the spring. Groups of no more than four students per school build a balsa wood bridge capable of supporting loads applied to the structure according to the competition rules.
Learn MoreAstro-Venture: Search for and Design a Habitable Planet!
Astro-Venture is an educational, interactive, multimedia web environment highlighting NASA careers and astrobiology research in the areas of Astronomy, Geology, Biology and Atmospheric Science. Students in grades five through eight are transported to the future where they role play NASA occupations and use scientific inquiry, as they search for and build a planet with the necessary characteristics for human habitation. Supporting activities include chats with real NASA scientists, online collaborations, classroom lessons, student publishing area and occupations fact sheets and trading cards.
Learn MoreBackyard Nature
Naturalist Jim Conrad has created a friendly, nicely illustrated introduction to studying nature, starting in your own backyard. The site features information on plants, animals, and fungi that might thrive in a backyard and provides basic information on ecology, geology, naming and classifying living things, and other topics.
Learn MoreCooper Union Research Internship Program
The Research Internship Program provides a great opportunity for high school students to tackle research problems in a college setting. Interns work in teams on applied research projects under the constant guidance of Cooper Union undergraduate teaching assistants. Each project is supervised and mentored by Cooper Union faculty and covers fields such as civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical, biomedical and environmental engineering; mathematics, chemistry, physics and astronomy.
Learn MoreCornell University CATALYST Program
Cornell Association for the Technological Advancement of Learned Youth in Science and Technology CATALYST Program is a one-week summer residential program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds. CATALYST seeks to advance diversity in engineering and especially encourages members of groups underrepresented in the fields of math, science, and engineering (African American, Latino/a, or Native American) to apply.
Learn MoreCornell University CURIE Academy: For Girls Who Dream Big
The CURIE Academy is a one-week residential program for high school girls who excel in math and science, enjoy solving problems, and want to learn more about careers in engineering.
Learn MoreESF S.C.I.E.N.C.E.: Summer Camps Investigating Ecology in Neighborhood and City Environments
ESF SCIENCE exposes Syracuse middle school students to science and environmental education. Through summer environmental camps, students are involved in programs that emphasize urban ecology and urban ecosystems that are relevant to their lives, a critical key for cultivating and sustaining interest in science during the middle school years and beyond.
Learn MoreEdison Exploratorium
The Edison Exploratorium is a prototype for the future of engineering interaction worldwide originating in the Original Tech Valley, Schenectady, New York. It is a unique, hands on workshop environment exploring the past, present and future of engineering.
Learn MoreEngineering Design Challenges
The Engineering Design Challenges Program connects students in their classrooms with the challenges faced by NASA engineers as they design the next generation of space vehicles, habitats and technology. Middle and High School students work on design challenges with their teachers. The Challenges Themes include Heat and Conduction, Newton's Law,Electromagnetism,Forces and Motion, and Properties and changes of properties in matter. Each Challenge includes Background Information, day-by-day activities, required materials lists, Resources and Masters of handouts.
Learn MoreEngineering technicians
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreEngineers Week
Engineers Week promotes recognition among parents, teachers and students of the importance of a technical education and a high level of math, science, and technology literacy, and motivates youths to pursue engineering careers in order to provide a diverse, vigorous and informed engineering workforce.
Learn MoreEnvironmental Science Summer Programs
These intensive but unique 5 day environmental education programs are designed to provide opportunities for district students in grades 10 to 12 to deal with a specific ecological system, aquatic and terrestrial habitats in the Adirondacks and marine habitats on Long Island.
Learn MoreGLOBE Program (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment)
The GLOBE Program (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based education and science program. Around the world, K12 students are making scientific observations and reporting their data to GLOBE for use in research.There are over 13,000 schools involved in the U.S.
Learn MoreGlobal Warming Early Warning Signs Exploring Climate Change Impacts
Global Warming Early Warning Signs is a set of teaching materials designed to accompany Global Warming: Early Warning Signs, a science-based interactive world map depicting the local and regional consequences of global climate change.
Learn MoreHubbleSite The Space Telescope
HubbleSite furthers our knowledge of astronomy. Scan the heavens, see how Hubble's observations have expanded our understanding of the cosmos, and get the facts: answers to the basic questions about astronomy and Hubble, figures and charts, and dictionary definitions for astronomical terms.
Learn MoreMain Street Science Lending Library
This lending library serves as a resource for K12 teachers and educators to engage students in hands on science activities. Each activity includes a lesson plan and all supplies.
Learn MoreMinority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)
MITES(Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science) is a rigorous six-week residential, academic enrichment summer program for promising high school juniors who are interested in studying and exploring careers in science, engineering, and entrepreneurship.
Learn MoreMonroe Community College High School Engineering Competition
Monroe Community College High School Engineering Competition includes three events. SumoBots: design an electric powered SumoBot with the force to push an opponent's SumoBot off a round table having a 7-foot diameter. Auto Safety : design and build the lightest model car body that will protect 2 extra large eggs during a collision with a concrete block and have the styling and features that would make it an appealing choice to a car buyer. And Wooden Bridge: design and build a wooden bridge with a mass less than 25 grams that will support the maximum load at mid-span.
Learn MoreNational Academy of Engineering (NAE)
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) mission is to promote the technological welfare of the nation by marshaling the knowledge and insights of eminent members of the engineering profession. This is a portal for all engineering activities at the National Academies, which along with the NAE include the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council.
Learn MoreNational Math and Science Initiative, Inc. (NMSI)
Improving American students' performance in math and science coursework is the most effective way to increase the United States' global competitiveness.NMSI is a non-profit entity created to raise funds for the improvement of math and science education in the U.S. NMSI plans to award grants in up to 10 states for training and incentive programs for AP and pre-AP courses and up to 10 colleges and universities for the replication of UTeach in fall 2007. Over the next five years, NMSI plans to make additional awards for the expansion of both programs.
Learn MorePestWorld for Teachers
PestWorld for Teachers provide a fascinating entry point into many curricular subjects, including biology, ecology, environment, and health using pests as the theme. The K-2 and 3-5 grade lesson plans teach insect anatomy, the social life of termites, the scientific inquiry process, and much more. The lessons emphasize both content and process skills and support the National Science Standards.
Learn MoreSolar Physics Group Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA)
The Sun is a source of light and heat for life on Earth, it is the source of the solar wind and it also serves an important role in helping us to understand the rest of the astronomical universe. How and why does the Sun vary? The Solar Physics Group at Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA) answers this question and more.
Learn MoreStony Brook University Camp Academies
Stony Brook University Camp Academies are designed to satisfy campers with an interest in art, chess, computers, medical sciences, and the performing arts. The campers receive a full day of instructional activities relating to his or her chosen topic. Topics include: Athletic/Medical Academy, Computer Academy, Dig Deeper into Science and Science Academy.
Learn MoreSuffolk County Community College Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
The Science and Technology Entry Program develops the abilities and skills of students to prepare them for entry in careers in math, science, technology and the licensed professions. STEP serves underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students in selected school districts, grades 7 to 12.
Learn MoreSurveying, Mapping, and Drafting Technicians
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreTeachEngineering Resources for K12
Engineering is all around us. TeachEngineering Resources for K12 uses engineering as a vehicle to integrate math and science fundamentals. All lesson plans are based upon age-appropriate national and state science, technology, mathematics and engineering educational standards.
Learn MoreTryEngineering.org
This resource for students,ages 8 to18, their parents, their teachers and their school counselors will find this portal about engineering and engineering careers, to be helpful for young people to better understand what engineering means, and how an engineering career can be made part of their future.
Learn MoreU.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District is made up of approximately 34,600 Civilian and 650 military members. The military and civilian engineers, scientists and other specialists work hand in hand as leaders in engineering and environmental matters and provide quality, responsive engineering services to the country.
Learn MoreWest Point Bridge Design Contest
The contest provides middle and high school students with an opportunity to: Learn about engineering through a realistic, hands-on problem-solving experience, the engineering design process--the application of math, science, and technology to create devices and systems that meet human needs, learn about truss bridges and how they work and how engineers use the computer as a problem-solving tool.
Learn MoreWomen in Engineering Day
The day is designed to expose students to a possible career in engineering. "Women in Engineering Day" will include conversations with female engineers and current engineering technology faculty, engineering technology displays and related activities.
Learn MoreWomen in Engineering Day
The day is designed to expose students to a possible career in engineering. The Day includes conversations with female engineers and current engineering technology faculty, engineering technology displays and related activities.
Learn More