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Job Definition
Prepare drawings and topographical and relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control projects, and water and sewerage control systems.
Job Zone

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Interests
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Knowledge
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Skills
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Tasks
Supervise or conduct field surveys, inspections or technical investigations to obtain data required to revise construction drawings.
Determine the order of work and method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
Calculate excavation tonnage and prepare graphs and fill-hauling diagrams for use in earth-moving operations.
Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments as necessary.
Locate and identify symbols located on topographical surveys to denote geological and geophysical formations or oil field installations.
Calculate weights, volumes, and stress factors and their implications for technical aspects of designs.
Determine quality, cost, strength and quantity of required materials, and enter figures on materials lists.
Plot characteristics of boreholes for oil and gas wells from photographic subsurface survey recordings and other data, representing depth, degree and direction of inclination.
Produce drawings using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles and other drafting devices.
Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations and structures.
Correlate, interpret, and modify data obtained from topographical surveys, well logs, and geophysical prospecting reports.
Finish and duplicate drawings and documentation packages, according to required mediums and specifications for reproduction using blueprinting, photography, or other duplicating methods.
Review rough sketches, drawings, specifications, and other engineering data received from civil engineers to ensure that they conform to design concepts.
Supervise and train other technologists, technicians and drafters.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $53,750.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $30,880.00 and $77,460.00.

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 18,100 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 17,700 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 0 openings due to growth and about 520 replacement openings for approximately 520 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Civil Drafting and Civil Engineering CAD/CADD - A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to develop working drawing and electronic simulations in support of civil engineers, geological engineers, and related professionals. Includes instruction in basic civil engineering principles, geological and seismographic mapping, machine drafting, computer-aided drafting (CAD), pipe drafting, survey interpretation, and blueprint reading.
Similar Occupations
Architectural Drafters - Prepare detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
Electronic Drafters - Draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used for manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic equipment.
Mechanical Drafters - Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Civil Engineering Technicians - Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Surveying Technicians - Adjust and operate surveying instruments, such as the theodolite and electronic distance-measuring equipment, and compile notes, make sketches and enter data into computers.
Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmers - Develop programs to control machining or processing of parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers - Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Traffic Technicians - Conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer.
Notes
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Job Openings
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