DESCRIPTION - Civil engineers
plan, design, construct, operate and maintain roads, bridges, dams,
water supply schemes, sewerage systems, transportation, harbours, canals,
dockyards, airports, railways, factories and large buildings.
DUTIES - Civil engineers may perform
the following tasks:
- Investigate sites to work out the most suitable foundation for a proposed
construction
- Research and advise on the best engineering solution
to meet with a client’s needs and budget
- Produce detailed
designs and documentation for the construction and implementation
of civil engineering projects
- Organise the delivery
of materials, plant and equipment needed for the construction
project and supervise labour
- Develop detailed programs
for the coordination of site activities
- Talk to other
engineers, architects, landscape architects and environmental
scientist
- Assist government bodies in preparing yearly
works programs within set budgets (e.g. for works on
car parks, drainage, roads, aerodromes or sewerage)
- Prepare engineering calculations required for the design
of projects and supervise the drafting
- Operate computers
to assist with the design of civil engineering projects
- Coordinate and direct research development and testing
of materials, processes or systems related to civil engineering
works
- Research, advise on and plan the control and
minimisation of air, water and solid waste pollution,
and the management of water
- Supervise the testing and
commissioning of completed works
- Analyse and interpret
reports on loading, labour, productivity, quality, materials
and performance
- Analyse risks associated with natural
disasters including wind, earthquake, fire and floods,
and design structures and services to meet appropriate
standards
- Arrange for geological and geophysical investigations
and carry out feasibility studies.
WORK ENVIRONMENT - Civil engineers may work in offices or spend much
of their time on site. They may be required to work long hours and meet strict
deadlines while working under minimal supervision. Civil engineers deal with
various professional, skilled and semi-skilled people. Consulting and contracting
engineers often travel interstate and some travel overseas. It may be necessary
for some civil engineers to change residence every few years as their work takes
them from one major engineering site to another.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES -
- Able to identify, analyse and solve problems
- Good oral and written communication
skills
- Aptitude for computing and design
- Practical and creative
- Able to
work without supervision
- Able to work as part of a team
- Able to accept responsibility
- Willing to
contribute and adhere to the safety requirements of the operation
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