Civil engineering is the foundation of the places, spaces and systems that we use in our daily lives. Technicians play a critical role in ensuring the places we live, work and play – like roads, bridges, parks, homes, school, and even stadiums – are safe.

Opportunity+ focuses on preparing participants for work as a Civil Engineering Technician. People find these careers satisfying if they:

• Like being outdoors
• Enjoy a change of scenery
• Thrive working on a variety of projects
• Are interested in civil engineering and construction
• Like working with variety of people
• Can work independently and as part of a team

Civil Engineering Technician

A Civil Engineering Technician is a broad term that could lead to many different career paths. This path could lead to a career in surveying, construction materials testing and site inspection, among other things.

The Career Pathway
With hard work, dedication, and consistent progress Civil Engineering Technicians reach new heights.

• Engineering Technician, Entry level | $17+/hour
• Engineering Technician, Mid-level | 2+ years’ experience | $19+/hour
• Engineering Technician, Experienced | 5+ years’ experience | $23+/hour

Surveying

Survey crew members collect the data needed for construction and development. They bring maps to life by identifying points, places, and features in real life. That information is used to design and build almost everything around us.

A day in the life of a Survey Crew Member:

Survey Crew Members assist Survey Crew Chiefs with all day-to-day operations on a wide variety of public and private projects.

Specifically, Survey Crew Members will:

• Assist Survey Crew Chief in gathering thorough and accurate data
• Set stakes for construction surveys
• Operate GPS and robotic Total Station
• Check calculations
• Set-up, calibrate, use and maintain survey field equipment
• Keep the survey vehicle clean and organized
• Travel, including overnight stays, is occasionally required

Construction Materials Testing

Construction materials technicians verify that the materials used in construction meet project specifications. Typically, testing is conducted as a project is being built. Technicians perform field testing to check the material’s physical properties such as air content, workability, temperature and density. Samples are also retrieved for laboratory testing of flexibility, strength, grain size and other mix properties.

A day in the life of a Construction Materials Testing Technician:

Construction Materials Testing Technicians will:

• Perform sampling and testing of a variety of soils and construction materials in the field and/or in the laboratory
• Be responsible for explaining and enforcing project specifications related to sampling and testing of construction materials
• Maintain and record logs of daily work, tests performed, and time and materials expended
• Spend time in the field providing inspection of construction operations and evaluation of the contractors’ work

Site Inspectors

Site Inspectors have a variety of responsibilities. They work around natural gas distribution pipelines and facilities. Duties include measuring the depth and alignment of trenches and examining trenches for stones and debris or damage.

A day in the life of a Site Inspector:

• Verify crew member operator qualifications to ensure proper documentation
• Check-in materials onsite to ensure they meet project specifications
• Daily observation of all tasks being performed onsite
• Perform daily documentation for each project