CIVIL ENGINEER TECHNICIAN

Summary

Civil Engineering Technicians (CET) apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, surveying and overseeing construction of structures under the direction of engineering and surveying staff throughout a project's life cycle.

• A CET level applies basic skills while developing some specialized skills in procedures, operations, techniques, tools materials, and/or equipment. They perform routine tasks with limited decision making. They generally have limited experience; work is performed from established procedures and/or defined instructions.
• A Sr. CET regularly works on tasks that are varied and complex. They apply a full range of specialized skills and job knowledge, frequently adapting procedures, techniques, and/or equipment. They may serve as a lead, under general supervision. Relies on experience and judgement to plan and accomplish assigned tasks.

Technical Duties and Responsibilities:

Civil technicians' duties depend on the specific project or their areas of expertise, but they all share core responsibilities:

CADD Drafting Responsibilities

• Creates basic to complex CADD drawings for engineering and survey projects based on designs supplied by engineering and surveying staff.
• Complies with CGA Standards and Design procedures
• Updates work from detailed notes, redlines, dimensions, and explanations of design
• Begins to provide recommendations for modifications and changes for design improvement and simplification
• Self-checks own work for completeness, accuracy, compliance to standards.
• Finalizes plans and creates specifications for the construction phase of a project
• Preparing material specification documents for contractors
• Creating material lists and compiling project quantities and costs
• Answers Construction Observation Staff's questions
• Prepares and files As-Built plans at the completion of a project.

CADD Survey Responsibilities

• Creates construction staking point files; the completion of plats for as-built, boundary, title, tree, and topographic surveys
• Prepare construction staking data for field crews using construction plan sets
• Create points, centerlines, and profiles for construction staking
• Conducts research to obtain the appropriate public/private land records, survey control data and other pertinent information from various sources (e.g. courthouse records) for boundary, location, topographical and design surveys and for location of right-of-way and public utilities.
• Process and interpret survey data collected in the field
• Maintain and organize digital and paper survey records
• Interact daily will field crews

On-Site Survey Responsibilities

• Assist the Lead Surveyor and/or Land Surveyor on the survey site by
• Operating survey equipment to collect and process data
• Making calculations and checks data for accuracy and prove physical work.
• Recording and maintaining survey measurements and accurate filed notes, drawings, sketches, and any other significant data within field books.
• Searching for section corners, property stakes, and survey points;
• Complete construction staking
• Assist in maintaining all survey equipment, bringing problems or malfunctions to the attention of their supervisor.

Construction Observation

• Conduct periodic observation of sites and monitor contractor activities.
• Ensure contractors are conforming to project specifications and plans while also adhering to local, state, or federal construction codes.
• Taking soil and/or concrete samples to be tested and document testing results.
• Prepare progress reports, daily logs and maintains/coordinates construction progress photos, presenting them to civil engineers and other personnel, as needed.
• Compare project timelines and costs to expectations and report on potential delays or issues that arise during construction.
• Gather quantities to prepare and submit contractor pay requests
• Complete and file change orders.
• Assist in the preparation of pay estimates
• At project close out prepare punch-lists.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Interact with customers (internal and external) to resolve their concerns, answer their questions and assist them with their needs in a timely fashion.
2. Works closely with other disciplines on multi-discipline projects, including if necessary, building regulating agencies, builders, contractors and the general public.
3. Knows what our company stands for and what makes our brand different from our competitors.
4. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

1. Technical Capacity
2. Problem Solving
3. Adaptability/Flexibility
4. Communication/Interpersonal Skills
5. Accuracy/Thoroughness
6. Integrity/Ethical Practice
7. Self-Management
8. Enthusiasm

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities, but they may act as a lead depending on their experience.

Work Environment

This job operates in the field and the office.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This job operates in a professional office environment and in the field.

In the Office the employee must have the ability to stay in a sitting position for most of the working day while looking at a computer monitor, to open filing cabinets, and bend or stand for additional duties.

In the Field Work the employee must have the ability to work outdoors, standing for long periods, and often walking long distances, climbing hills and carrying packs of equipment. When working outside, they are exposed to all types of weather. They may occasionally be exposed to wet and humid weather, fumes or airborne particles, or toxic chemicals. There can be a risk of electrical shock. They may work near traffic or heavy equipment. They must be able to lift 50 pounds.

The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear. They are also regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms.

Personal Protective Equipment must be worn as required by CGA Standards and job location.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, unless otherwise indicated. Expected work hours are in accordance with the Employee Guide to Personnel Policies & Practices.

Travel

Local day travel is anticipated. Overnight travel may be required.

Potential Career Path

CET:

Specializing as a CADD Tech- CADD Designer- CADD Designer Manager

Specializing as a Surveyor- Lead Surveyor -LSI-Land Surveyor

Specialize as a Construction Tech- Sr. Civil Engineering Tec- Constr. Tech Trainee

Requirements

Education and Work Experience:

1. AA degree in a related field or one to three years related work experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Knowledge of AutoCAD, Civil 3D and various other software packages in the creation and design of project plans, maps, graphs and charts and various reports.
3. Must be capable of working in extended outdoor conditions and you must be physically capable of navigating rugged terrain for the purpose of performing the construction observation duties

a. Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

4. Must possess a valid Driver's License.

Preferred Requirements:

1. Survey experience, field and/or office
2. Has Iowa DOT Certifications
3. Ability to operate and maintain survey equipment
4. Knowledge of information sources used to determine land ownership and location of telephone and power cables, water and gas mains, etc.
5. Knowledge of basic engineering principles related to design and construction projects including surveying, hydrology, soils, geology, geometrics, transportation, geography, map reading and real estate.
6. Knowledge of construction inspection observation, engineering survey, and drafting techniques related to civil engineering.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong technical math skills or the ability to utilize mathematic principals including algebra and geometry.
• Ability to research, interpret and compile analytical data.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, memos, technical documents, work orders, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to pay attention to detail; accuracy is a must
• Ability to communicate effectively; verbal, written and active listening.
• Proficient in the use of computerized office equipment and programs, including MS Office, MS Windows, and Adobe products