17-2051.00 Bright Outlook

Civil Engineers

Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

Career Cluster:Construction
Job Family:Architecture and Engineering
Job Zone:Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
STEM:Research, Development, Design, and Practitioners
Industry:Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Build Resume

Technology Tools

Apache Subversion SVNAutodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DAutodesk RevitBentley MicroStationCC#Dassault Systemes SolidWorksESRI ArcGIS softwareExtensible markup language XMLMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft Visual BasicMicrosoft WordAdobe AcrobatOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementProcore softwareSAP softwareTrimble SketchUp ProShell scriptThe MathWorks MATLAB

Key Tasks

  • Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
  • Test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel.
  • Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
  • Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
  • Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
  • Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
  • Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
  • Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction.
  • Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, or other topographical or geologic data.
  • Identify environmental risks and develop risk management strategies for civil engineering projects.
  • Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility.
  • Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions.
  • Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess potential project impact.
  • Design energy-efficient or environmentally sound civil structures.
  • Develop or implement engineering solutions to clean up industrial accidents or other contaminated sites.
  • Design or engineer systems to efficiently dispose of chemical, biological, or other toxic wastes.
  • Use drone technology for site surveying, inspection, and monitoring of infrastructure projects.

Skills

Active Listening
75%
Reading Comprehension
72%
Speaking
72%
Mathematics
72%
Complex Problem Solving
72%
Critical Thinking
72%
Time Management
69%
Science
69%
Systems Analysis
69%
Operations Analysis
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
Active Learning
56%
Writing
56%
Monitoring
56%
Systems Evaluation
53%
Coordination
53%
Negotiation
50%
Persuasion
50%
Instructing
50%
Management of Personnel Resources
50%
Social Perceptiveness
50%
Service Orientation
50%
Management of Material Resources
47%
Management of Financial Resources
47%
Learning Strategies
47%
Quality Control Analysis
31%
Technology Design
31%
Operations Monitoring
28%
Programming
22%
Repairing
16%
Troubleshooting
13%
Equipment Maintenance
13%
Operation and Control
10%
Equipment Selection
6%
Installation
0%

Knowledge

Design
93%
Engineering and Technology
92%
Building and Construction
88%
Mathematics
87%
English Language
75%
Physics
68%
Administration and Management
66%
Customer and Personal Service
61%
Law and Government
56%
Public Safety and Security
56%
Computers and Electronics
54%
Transportation
51%
Sales and Marketing
47%
Economics and Accounting
45%
Administrative
43%
Geography
39%
Personnel and Human Resources
39%
Mechanical
38%
Education and Training
35%
Chemistry
32%
Production and Processing
28%
Communications and Media
25%
Psychology
18%
History and Archeology
14%
Telecommunications
13%
Foreign Language
13%
Biology
13%
Sociology and Anthropology
12%
Philosophy and Theology
10%
Food Production
4%
Medicine and Dentistry
4%
Therapy and Counseling
4%
Fine Arts
0%

Build a Resume for Civil Engineers

Create a professional, ATS-optimized resume tailored to this career path.

Create Resume

Abilities

Deductive Reasoning
75%
Problem Sensitivity
75%
Oral Expression
75%
Oral Comprehension
75%
Inductive Reasoning
75%
Written Comprehension
75%
Written Expression
75%
Mathematical Reasoning
72%
Information Ordering
72%
Near Vision
69%
Number Facility
69%
Visualization
69%
Category Flexibility
69%
Fluency of Ideas
69%
Perceptual Speed
66%
Far Vision
66%
Speech Recognition
66%
Flexibility of Closure
66%
Speech Clarity
66%
Originality
56%
Selective Attention
50%
Speed of Closure
47%
Auditory Attention
41%
Time Sharing
41%
Memorization
41%
Visual Color Discrimination
41%
Hearing Sensitivity
38%
Depth Perception
38%
Finger Dexterity
28%
Spatial Orientation
22%
Control Precision
16%
Multilimb Coordination
13%
Trunk Strength
13%
Wrist-Finger Speed
10%
Glare Sensitivity
6%
Sound Localization
0%
Reaction Time
0%
Extent Flexibility
0%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
0%
Night Vision
0%
Stamina
0%
Static Strength
0%
Explosive Strength
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Speed of Limb Movement
0%
Dynamic Strength
0%
Gross Body Equilibrium
0%
Rate Control
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%
Manual Dexterity
0%
Response Orientation
0%
Gross Body Coordination
0%

Work Activities

Getting Information
89%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
86%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
82%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
79%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
79%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
79%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
78%
Working with Computers
78%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
76%
Scheduling Work and Activities
76%
Processing Information
76%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
76%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
74%
Analyzing Data or Information
73%
Developing and Building Teams
68%
Documenting/Recording Information
67%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
66%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
66%
Thinking Creatively
64%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
64%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
64%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
63%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
61%
Coaching and Developing Others
58%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
58%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
57%
Training and Teaching Others
57%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
55%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
55%
Staffing Organizational Units
55%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
50%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
48%
Performing Administrative Activities
42%
Selling or Influencing Others
41%
Performing General Physical Activities
25%
Assisting and Caring for Others
19%
Handling and Moving Objects
14%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
14%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
14%
Controlling Machines and Processes
12%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
7%

Work Context

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

100%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

98%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

94%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

85%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

85%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

85%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

80%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

79%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

79%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

75%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

75%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

75%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

75%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

73%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

73%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

64%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

64%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

62%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

61%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

58%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

55%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

49%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

49%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

48%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

48%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

45%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

44%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

44%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

43%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

33%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

33%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

33%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

32%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

31%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

30%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

30%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

29%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

29%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

26%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

25%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

24%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

22%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

20%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

19%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

17%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

17%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

17%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

13%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

12%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

12%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

11%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

7%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

7%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

6%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

4%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

4%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

4%

Education

Bachelor's degree

86%

Master's degree

10%

Post-baccalaureate certificate

5%

Interests

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

89

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

69

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

61

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

32

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

19

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

13

Work Styles

Dependability
88%
Attention to Detail
86%
Cautiousness
80%
Integrity
74%
Intellectual Curiosity
72%
Achievement Orientation
69%
Leadership Orientation
67%
Innovation
66%
Adaptability
62%
Perseverance
59%
Self-Confidence
59%
Initiative
53%
Cooperation
48%
Stress Tolerance
48%
Self-Control
44%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
44%
Social Orientation
29%
Sincerity
26%
Optimism
20%
Empathy
14%
Humility
14%

Work Values

Independence
83%
Working Conditions
75%
Achievement
72%
Recognition
72%
Support
61%
Relationships
50%

Ready to pursue a career as Civil Engineers?

Create a professional resume that highlights the right skills and experience for this role.

Build Your Resume Now