Civil Engineers (NOC 2131)
Description
Civil engineers plan, design, develop and manage projects for the construction or repair of buildings, earth structures, powerhouses, roads, airports, railways, rapid transit facilities, bridges, tunnels, canals, dams, ports and coastal installations and systems related to highway and transportation services, water distribution and sanitation. Civil engineers may also specialize in foundation analysis, building and structural inspection, surveying, geomatics and municipal planning. Civil engineers are employed by engineering consulting companies, in all levels of government, by construction firms and in many other industries, or they may be self-employed.
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Example Titles
- bridge engineer
- civil engineer
- construction engineer
- environmental engineer
- geodetic engineer
- geomatics engineer
- highway engineer
- hydraulic engineer
- municipal engineer
- project engineer, construction
- public works engineer
- sanitation engineer
- structural engineer
- surveying engineer
- traffic engineer
- transportation engineer
- water management engineer
>> View all titles
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Classified Elsewhere
- Chemical environmental engineers (in 2134 Chemical Engineers)
- Construction Managers (0711)
- Engineering Managers (0211)
- Geological Engineers (2144)
- Transportation Managers (0713)
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Duties
Civil engineers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Confer with clients and other members of the engineering team and conduct research to determine project requirements
- Plan and design major civil projects such as buildings, roads, bridges, dams, water and waste management systems and structural steel fabrications
- Develop construction specifications and procedures
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate building and construction materials
- Interpret, review and approve survey and civil design work
- Conduct field services for civil works
- Ensure construction plans meet guidelines and specifications of building codes and other regulations
- Establish and monitor construction work schedules
- Conduct feasibility studies, economic analyses, municipal and regional traffic studies, environmental impact studies or other investigations
- Monitor air, water and soil quality and develop procedures to clean up contaminated sites
- Conduct technical analyses of survey and field data for development of topographic, soil, hydrological or other information and prepare reports
- Act as project or site supervisor for land survey or construction work
- Prepare contract documents and review and evaluate tenders for construction projects
- Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates.
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Skills
Civil engineers have many skill needs in common with other engineers:
- the ability to think logically in analyzing, solving problems and making decisions,
- a capacity for details and precision,
- the ability to think in mathematical and abstract terms,
- a practical, mechanical inclination,
- organizational skills,
- oral and written communication skills and presentation skills,
- interpersonal skills to deal with co-workers, construction tradespersons, and clients,
- skills in conflict resolution,
- ability to work in a team or independently,
- persistence and determination,
- ability to work outdoors in sometimes rugged conditions,
- an interest in staying current in the field through continuous learning.
Civil engineers also need the following technical skills:
- the ability to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings,
- knowledge of cost analysis and project management,
- ability to use computers for designing projects and elements of projects,
- familiarity with regulations on building structures, municipal zoning, project bidding processes, site safety.
- Engineers wishing to progress to management need leadership skills, ability to identify, prioritize and resolve key concerns, awareness of motivation techniques, management styles, teaching/coaching/mentoring, goal setting, and effective time and team management.
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Employment Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required. Employers may accept completion of a college diploma in civil engineering technology combined with several years of experience, for positions not requiring a professional qualification.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required in research positions.
- Licensing by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientests of the Province of Manitoba (APEGPM) is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
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Terms & Conditions
Civil engineers commonly work in an office environment, as well as outdoors at construction sites. Those working on major projects can expect to travel, both within Canada and internationally. Civil engineers work regular business hours, but may work longer hours, including evenings and weekends in order to meet project deadlines. Nearly all civil engineers in Manitoba work full-time (94%). A minority are self employed (12%).
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Earnings
$43,100 per annum - starting
$74,600 per annum - average
$119,800 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
The University of Manitoba offers the following degree programs in Civil Engineering:
- Bachelor of Science in (Civil) Engineering B.Sc.(Eng.)
- Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- The University of Manitoba Engineering Access Program (ENGAP) is designed to provide persons of Aboriginal ancestry with access to university studies leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering.
Red River College and and Winnipeg Technical College:
- Offer a number of programs designed to provide students with career training in construction engineering, environmental protection, manufacturing design, geomatics, and CAD technologies.
- Continuing education courses are also available in these institutions for professionals who wish to upgrade existing skills.
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Career Paths
There is considerable mobility between civil engineering specializations, usually at junior levels. Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, urban planning, sales, marketing or management.
With experience, civil engineers can become project managers, and eventually advance to the management of very large projects. Some experienced civil engineers establish their own construction or consulting companies.
Those who have doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees may teach at a university or conduct research.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for civil engineers are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. Public and private (especially hydro) investment in heavy construction over the next few years should assure continued demand for persons qualified in this engineering specialty. The number of positions in Manitoba is estimated at 1115 in 2009.
Employment of civil engineers is closely tied to the level of construction activity, which is in turn sensitive to government spending patterns and economic cycles. In Manitoba, investment in roads, bridges, sewers, and other aspects of municipal and provincial infrastructure will drive reconstruction or replacement projects during the forecast period.
Within the discipline of civil engineering, geomatics engineering has become increasingly importance. This involves the development of systems to collect, store, and interpret geographic data used in mapping land areas and natural resources. While the specialty grew out of land surveying, these engineers work in a variety of industries, from software companies to satellite information providers.
Employment is fairly evenly distributed across the province. The greatest concentrations of civil engineers are in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (39%), followed by Public Administration (20%), Construction (17%) and Utilities (9%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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Other Related Information...
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