Technician - Civil Engineering (17-3022.00)

Career Family

Architecture & Engineering → Civil Engineering Technology

Fit Summary

Realistic (R) + Conventional (C) and Investigative (I). ISTJ/ISFP who like outdoor/office mix and plans/specs.

Career Overview

Assist engineers with surveys, materials testing, CAD drafting, and construction inspection. Prepare plans, compute quantities, observe site work for compliance, and document field reports.

Credential Pathways

Typical Education: Associate’s in civil technology or related; certifications in testing/inspection helpful (Job Zone 3–4).

Pathways: Tech → inspector → senior CAD/field tech → project technologist; pathway to engineer with further study.

Regulatory Moat: DOT/ACI/NUCLEAR DENSITY/Moisture certifications depending on role; safety training.

Alternative Pathways: From construction trades or surveying; community college programs.

Environment & Lifestyle

• Work Environment: Mix of office and field; weather exposure on sites.
• Sensory/Social Load: Moderate—contractor/owner coordination.
• Physicality/Fieldwork: Medium—site walking, sampling, lifting.
• Geographic Anchoring: Infrastructure regions nationwide.
• Remote Amenability: Low to Medium—CAD/doc tasks remote-capable.

Future-Proofing Snapshot

• AI Augmentation Potential: Medium — drone/LiDAR data and QA analytics.
• AI Displacement Risk: Low — site verification remains human.
• AI New Task Creation: Some — digital twins and BIM-to-field checks.
• AI Skill Shift Intensity: Medium — CAD/Civil 3D and data tools.
• Automation Risk Score: Low to Medium — automated capture assists; human sign-off persists.
• Human-Core Score: Strong — documentation, safety, measurement.
• Overall Vulnerability/Resilience: Resilient with infrastructure investment cycles.
• Emerging Trends: Reality capture, e-construction, materials innovations.

Risks / Watchpoints

• Weather and site hazards
• Project-driven overtime
• Travel to dispersed sites

Notes on Fit

Solid for students who like tangible infrastructure and a balance of field and CAD work.

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