Overview
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. They 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.
This group performs 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.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$56,311
$106,950
$171,895
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
Strong job outlook
British Columbia
2,404expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
Additional information
There is considerable mobility between civil engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
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, sales, marketing or management.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Civil engineers in B.C.
- Engineers and Geoscientists BC Registration - Civil Engineer
Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Civil engineers in B.C.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification - Civil Engineer
Engineers and Geoscientists BC Registration - Civil Engineer
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To practice as a civil engineer in B.C., you must register with Engineers and Geoscientists B.C. Eligibility is achieved through graduation from an accredited program, 4 years of work experience as an Engineer-In-Training, and successful completion of the National Professional Practice Examination.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification - Civil Engineer
To work as a civil engineer in B.C., you may choose to earn the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification. Eligibility is achieved through signing up with the Canada Green Building Council.
Work Experience
Work experience required
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.