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What does a civil engineering assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
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Civil engineering assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real civil engineering assistant resumes:

  • Manage change order and RFI s to addressed any questions or concerns of sub-contractor.
  • Programme VBA tool to organize and manage operator-supply production data into a comprehensive data set.
  • Utilize AutoCAD and GIS systems.
  • Perform surveying duties including GPS systems, transits, and theodolites.
  • Revise RFI and construction detail drawings for source of possible problems during construction.
  • Install, configure and troubleshoot software, in addition to operating conventional surveying and GPS equipment.
  • Perform preliminary structural and geotechnical engineering computations and analysis.
  • Gain extensive experience in conducting geotechnical laboratory tests and engineering materials analysis.
  • Design and produce plans for commercial and residential projects using Autodesk Autocad/Civil3d, interacting with clients, subcontractors and project managers.
  • Incorporate ISO certification standards in all documents.
  • Design a rectangular combine footing for a horizontal vessel as per ACI 318-11.
  • Work with engineers and machine operators to prepare for an upcoming ISO audit.
  • Perform cost and land requirement estimations and calculations for projects involving residential apartments and commercial buildings.
  • Perform site contouring and analysis, cut/fill calculations, plan and profile developments, preliminary approvals applications.

Civil engineering assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Civil Engineering Assistants are proficient in Construction Management, Aided Design, and Retaining Walls. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Organizational skills, and Speaking skills.

We break down the percentage of Civil Engineering Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Construction Management, 13%

    Provided engineering and construction management support for projects in support of counter drug and illegal immigration agencies operating in the Southwest.

  • Aided Design, 12%

    Aided design and construction management for pipeline projects in Southern California

  • Retaining Walls, 10%

    Supervised earthworks and masonry retaining walls, sewage pipeline installation and manhole constructions.

  • Engineering Drawings, 8%

    Review /interpret engineering drawings, specifications and procedures for civil/structural activities.

  • Construction Projects, 7%

    Coordinate with local utilities for relocation or new installations of utility services to facilitate right-of-way and street construction projects.

  • Engineering Calculations, 5%

    Assisted with engineering calculations, management of office staff and was also Executive Assistant to the President of the company.

Common skills that a civil engineering assistant uses to do their job include "construction management," "aided design," and "retaining walls." You can find details on the most important civil engineering assistant responsibilities below.

Organizational skills. Many civil engineering assistant duties rely on organizational skills. "civil engineers often oversee several projects at the same time and must be able to allocate resources effectively.," so a civil engineering assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways civil engineering assistant responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "prepared civil engineering related surveillance documents and evaluated contractor compliance while improving organizational effectiveness. "

Problem-solving skills. civil engineering assistant responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "civil engineers may encounter problems during each stage of their work." This resume example shows what civil engineering assistants do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "amended cost estimates for drainage solutions with various projects across fairfax county. "

Math skills. Lastly, "math skills" is an important element of what a civil engineering assistant does. Civil engineering assistant responsibilities require this skill because "civil engineers use calculus, trigonometry, and other mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting." This resume example highlights how civil engineering assistant duties rely on this skill: "received 9 credit hours toward math in college. "

All civil engineering assistant skills

The three companies that hire the most civil engineering assistants are:

Compare different civil engineering assistants

Civil engineering assistant vs. Representative projects

A Structural Designer designs, develops, and supervises the construction of new buildings and bridges, or extensions to existing properties or other structures. They review and update construction drawings as well as communicate project problems and flaws to managers.

If we compare the average civil engineering assistant annual salary with that of a representative projects, we find that representative projects typically earn a $12,800 lower salary than civil engineering assistants make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between civil engineering assistants and representative projects are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like construction management, retaining walls, and construction projects.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between civil engineering assistants and representative projects. For instance, civil engineering assistant responsibilities require skills such as "aided design," "engineering drawings," "engineering calculations," and "construction materials." Whereas a representative projects is skilled in "infrastructure," "osha," "autocad," and "construction observation." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Representative projects really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $64,096. Comparatively, civil engineering assistants tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $72,048.representative projects tend to reach similar levels of education than civil engineering assistants. In fact, representative projects are 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Civil engineering assistant vs. Structural designer

A Structural Design Engineer designs drawings, specifications, and computer models of structures for building contractors. They help design hospitals, office blocks, houses, bridges, ships, and other structures.

Structural designer positions earn lower pay than civil engineering assistant roles. They earn a $342 lower salary than civil engineering assistants per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Civil engineering assistants and structural designers both require similar skills like "aided design," "retaining walls," and "engineering drawings" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, civil engineering assistant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "construction management," "construction projects," "engineering calculations," and "construction materials." Meanwhile, a structural designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "structural design," "bim," "navisworks," and "ladders." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Structural designers earn a lower average salary than civil engineering assistants. But structural designers earn the highest pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $69,802. Additionally, civil engineering assistants earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $72,048 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Structural designers tend to reach similar levels of education than civil engineering assistants. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Civil engineering assistant vs. Structural design engineer

An assistant project engineer performs support tasks to assist project engineers in overseeing and managing engineering projects. Their responsibilities include conducting inspections and assessments, performing research and analyses, processing documents and certifications, managing schedules, liaising with internal and external parties, and providing technical support to staff as necessary. Besides reporting directly to the project engineer, they also work together in implementing policies and monitoring operations to ensure that engineering projects adhere to project guidelines and requirements.

On average scale, structural design engineers bring in higher salaries than civil engineering assistants. In fact, they earn a $12,047 higher salary per year.By looking over several civil engineering assistants and structural design engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "aided design," "retaining walls," and "engineering drawings." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from civil engineering assistant resumes include skills like "construction management," "construction projects," "engineering calculations," and "construction materials," whereas a structural design engineer is more likely to list skills in "structural design," "cad," "autocad," and "aerospace. "

Structural design engineers earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $88,526. Comparatively, civil engineering assistants have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $72,048.When it comes to education, structural design engineers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to civil engineering assistants. In fact, they're 7.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Civil engineering assistant vs. Assistant project engineer

Assistant project engineers typically earn higher pay than civil engineering assistants. On average, assistant project engineers earn a $7,329 higher salary per year.According to resumes from civil engineering assistants and assistant project engineers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "construction management," "retaining walls," and "engineering drawings. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A civil engineering assistant uses "aided design," "engineering calculations," "gps," and "as-built." Assistant project engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "contract drawings," "meeting minutes," "hvac," and "project documentation. "In general, assistant project engineers earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $81,856. The highest-paying industry for a civil engineering assistant is the government industry.assistant project engineers reach similar levels of education compared to civil engineering assistants, in general. The difference is that they're 2.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of civil engineering assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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