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Civil Engineering Professionals design, plan, organise and oversee the construction of civil engineering projects such as dams, bridges, pipelines, gas and water supply schemes, sewerage systems, roads, airports and other structures; analyse the likely behaviour of soil and rock when placed under pressure by proposed structures and design structural foundations; analyse the statical properties of all types of structures and test the behaviour and durability of materials used in their construction; plan and develop transportation systems; and estimate and monitor the construction costs of projects.
Plans, designs, organises and oversees the construction and operation of dams, bridges, pipelines, gas and water supply schemes, sewerage systems, airports and other civil engineering projects. Registration or licensing may be required.
Specialisations: Airfield Engineer Officer (Air Force), Hydraulics Engineer
Plans, directs and conducts survey work to analyse the likely behaviour of soil and rock when placed under pressure by proposed structures, and designs above and below ground foundations. Registration or licensing may be required.
Estimates and monitors construction costs from the project feasibility stage, through tender preparation, to the construction period and beyond. Registration or licensing is required.
Analyses the statical properties of all types of structures, tests the behaviour and durability of materials used in their construction, and designs and supervises the construction of all types of structures. Registration or licensing may be required.
Plans and develops transport systems to improve infrastructure efficiency and the cost effectiveness of moving people and freight. Registration or licensing may be required.
Earnings are for full-time workers before tax, excluding superannuation. Earnings are a guide only and can vary greatly.
Likely change in the number of jobs over the next 5 years, based on the Department of Jobs and Small Business projections.
Skill Level is the education or training usually needed to do well in this job. Relevant experience is sometimes viewed just as highly.
Employment Size is the number of people who work in this job in Australia.
An above average unemployment rate shows people who do this job are more likely to be out of work than people who do other jobs.
Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).
This is a very large occupation employing 54,400 workers. The number of workers has grown very strongly over the past 5 years. Over the next 5 years (to May 2022) the number of workers is expected to grow very strongly to 65,600. Around 34,000 job openings are likely over this time from workers leaving and new jobs being created.
A Bachelor Degree or higher is usually required. Sometimes relevant experience or on-the-job training is also needed. Registration or licensing may also be required.
If you are interested in this style of work, there are a wide range of training options available that could lead to this or a similar job. The pathway that is right for you will depend on your skills and interests.
It is a good idea to speak to industry bodies, employers, and workers to learn more about the skills and qualifications you will need.
Employers look for Civil Engineering Professionals who have a positive and enthusiastic attitude and connect well with others.
The topics, subjects, or knowledge areas workers rate as most important are shown below.
Use engineering science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
Materials, methods, and the tools used to construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Skills can be improved through training or experience. The skills workers rate as most important are shown below.
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Reading work related information.
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Use maths to solve problems.
The physical and social abilities workers rate as the most important are shown below.
Use rules to solve problems.
Make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Order or arrange things (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Listen to and understand what people say.
Communicate by speaking.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.The importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 17-2051.00 - Civil Engineers.
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
The work activities workers rate as most important are shown below.
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
Giving information to supervisors, co-workers, and staff by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
How often do you use electronic mail?
How often do you talk on the telephone?
How often do you talk with people face-to-face?
How important is being very exact or highly accurate?
How much do you have contact with people (face-to-face, by telephone, or any other way)?
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants, animals, and materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.