Description

Civil engineers design, plan, and develop technical and engineering specifications for infrastructure and construction projects. They apply engineering knowledge in a vast array of projects, from the construction of infrastructure for transportation, housing projects, and luxury buildings, to the construction of natural sites. They design plans that seek to optimise materials and integrate specifications and resource allocation within the time constraints.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to civil engineer:

harbour civil engineer
civil engineering adviser
infrastructure project manager
civil engineering consultant
director of infrastructure projects
civil engineering expert
investments civil enginee
quality assurance civil engineer
civil engineers
civil engineering specialist

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as civil engineer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

Civil engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Civil engineer career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to civil engineer.

environmental mining engineer
geological engineer
land surveyor
renewable energy engineer
transport engineer

Promotions or specializations

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of civil engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of civil engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills of civil engineer

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of civil engineer.

Engineering principles
Technical drawings
Engineering processes
Civil engineering
Mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of civil engineer.

Ensure compliance with safety legislation
Adjust engineering designs
Perform scientific research
Use technical drawing software
Approve engineering design

Optional knowledge and skills of civil engineer

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of civil engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Geomatics
Contamination exposure regulations
Photogrammetry
Solar energy
Energy market
Environmental policy
Business management principles
Woodworking processes
Radioactive contamination
Wood moisture content
Chemistry of wood
Nuclear reprocessing
Surveying
Urban planning law
Electricity consumption
Timber products
Demolition techniques
Cartography
Environmental legislation in agriculture and forestry
Air traffic management
Impact of geological factors on mining operations
Geographic information systems
Manufacturing processes
Electrical engineering
Mathematics
Zero-energy building design
Design principles
Multimodal transport logistics
Energy performance of buildings
Paper chemistry
Hazardous waste treatment
Pollution legislation
Electrical discharge
Hazardous waste types
Construction products
Paper production processes
Electrical power safety regulations
Surveying methods
Types of wind turbines
Environmental legislation
Project management
Geochemistry
Transportation methods
Non-destructive testing
Pollution prevention
Geological time scale
Zoning codes
Topography
Consumer protection
Cost management
Geodesy
Urban planning
Aerodynamics
Nuclear energy
Geophysics
Energy efficiency
Meteorology
Thermodynamics
Power electronics
Fluid mechanics
Geology
Soil science
Biology
Public health
Green logistics
Mechanical engineering
Metrology
Environmental engineering
Wood cuts
Wildlife projects
Industrial heating systems
Electric generators
Wood products
Safety engineering
Construction methods
Chemistry
Types of wood
Geography
Regulations on substances
Types of pulp
Power engineering
Traffic engineering
Sales strategies
Logistics
Impact of meteorological phenomena on mining operations
Radiation protection
Transportation engineering
Hazardous waste storage
Mechanics
Automation technology
Renewable energy technologies
Types of wood materials

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of civil engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Advise on construction materials
Examine geochemical samples
Ensure compliance with environmental legislation
Perform laboratory tests
Process customer requests based on the REACh Regulation 1907 2006
Advise on mining environmental issues
Use a computer
Test wind turbine blades
Design transportation systems
Record survey measurements
Collect geological data
Promote sustainable energy
Address public health issues
Provide information on geothermal heat pumps
Perform risk analysis
Oversee construction project
Resolve equipment malfunctions
Manage budgets
Prepare surveying report
Plan engineering activities
Analyse energy consumption
Plan product management
Collect mapping data
Maintain nuclear reactors
Execute analytical mathematical calculations
Develop hazardous waste management strategies
Record test data
Troubleshoot
Maintain photovoltaic systems
Inspect compliance with hazardous waste regulations
Maintain records of mining operations
Use thermal management
Conduct land surveys
Advise customers on wood products
Advise on building matters
Demolish selectively
Study prices of wood products
Assemble electrical components
Conduct quality control analysis
Use geographic information systems
Manipulate wood
Research locations for wind farms
Compile GIS-data
Develop mine rehabilitation plan
Collect samples for analysis
Inspect wood materials
Inspect facility sites
Advise on pollution prevention
Assess the life cycle of resources
Develop environmental policy
Inspect construction supplies
Inspect wind turbines
Use software tools for site modelling
Report test findings
Meet contract specifications
Design strategies for nuclear emergencies
Develop geological databases
Oversee pre-assembly operations
Oversee quality control
Review meteorological forecast data
Communicate on minerals issues
Identify hazards in the workplace
Operate meteorological instruments
Carry out environmental audits
Wear appropriate protective gear
Make electrical calculations
Develop radiation protection strategies
Follow nuclear plant safety precautions
Calibrate precision instrument
Respond to electrical power contingencies
Develop material testing procedures
Document survey operations
Read standard blueprints
Manage engineering project
Process collected survey data
Use methods of logistical data analysis
Create AutoCAD drawings
Analyse environmental data
Provide information on solar panels
Plan resource allocation
Study aerial photos
Provide information on wind turbines
Simulate transport problems
Design wind farm collector systems
Perform surveying calculations
Negotiate with stakeholders
Ensure equipment cooling
Carry out energy management of facilities
Calibrate electronic instruments
Inspect building systems
Advise on use of land
Examine engineering principles
Provide advice to technicians
Communicate on the environmental impact of mining
Monitor production developments
Manage contracts
Apply digital mapping
Inspect industrial equipment
Develop strategies for electricity contingencies
Analyse road traffic patterns
Supervise staff
Conduct environmental surveys
Study traffic flow
Identify energy needs
Apply safety management
Analyse transport studies
Prepare technical reports
Monitor nuclear power plant systems
Create thematic maps
Manage air quality
Distinguish wood quality
Determine boundaries
Demolish structures
Draft design specifications
Check quality of raw materials
Operate surveying instruments
Value properties
Assess project resource needs
Use CAD software
Advise on environmental remediation
Coordinate electricity generation
Perform sample testing
Interpret geophysical data
Respond to nuclear emergencies
Address problems critically
Create GIS reports
Adjust surveying equipment
Conduct field work
Carry out statistical forecasts
Test safety strategies
Draw blueprints
Abide by regulations on banned materials
Monitor radiation levels
Conduct research before survey
Manage timber stocks
Develop non-hazardous waste management strategies
Manage a team
Perform project management
Present reports
Advise architects
Manage environmental impact
Execute feasibility study
Collect data using GPS
Monitor contractor performance
Ensure compliance with radiation protection regulations
Apply health and safety standards
Ensure material compliance
Provide information on geological characteristics
Compare survey computations
Check durability of wood materials
Inform on government funding
Investigate contamination
Develop environmental remediation strategies
Assess environmental impact
Assess financial viability
Advise on geology for mineral extraction
Create cadastral maps
Develop test procedures
Design wind turbines
Adapt energy distribution schedules
Design scientific equipment
Calculate exposure to radiation
Develop efficiency plans for logistics operations
Monitor electric generators
Advise on waste management procedures
Design automation components
Prepare geological map sections

ISCO group and title

2142 – Civil engineers

 

 


 

 

References

ESCO

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Last updated on June 8, 2022