Civil Engineering Technician

Also known as: Civil Engineering Assistant, Geotechnical Laboratory Technician 

Job Role:  Conducts tests of materials, prepares sketches and helps engineering professionals design and build rail infrastructure

Job insights

Skills required to be a Civil Engineering Technician

  • Ability to assess and plan
  • Analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Eye for detail
  • Ability to work well in a team
  • Good hand eye coordination
  • Problem solving
  • Work under pressure

Job role

Identify and manage risks, Interpret and evaluate technical information, Administrative tasks, Inspecting, testing and monitoring, Operate electrical equipment

Overview
Skills required
Entry pathways
Career progression
What do I do next?
Civil Engineering Technician working on laptop with worker next to freight train
Overview

The role

A Civil Engineering Technician assists in civil engineering research, design, construction, operations and maintenance.

Tasks include:
• preparing sketches, plans and designs for civil engineering works along the rail corridor
• collecting and analysing data and directing fieldwork and laboratory testing
• inspecting civil engineering works, and supervising maintenance and repair work
• ensuring all work is performed according to technical and operation standards and Workplace Health and Safety (WH&S) requirements
Civil Engineering Technician working on laptop with worker next to freight train
Skills required

Skills required to be a Civil Engineering Technician 

  • Ability to assess and plan 
  • Risk management 
  • Asset management 
Entry pathways

Previous experience

Civil Engineering Technicians often come from a career in: 

  • Construction/defence/resources sectors 
  • Engineering and drafting work

Minimum requirements 

There are no minimum mandatory qualifications to be a Civil Engineering Technician.

However, typical entry level qualifications required by infrastructure managers or rail operators may include level II and III certificates in Rail Infrastructure or construction specialisations.

Career advancement can be enhanced with further qualifications which are usually required for more senior roles. (See Potential training pathways below).

Potential training pathways

 

Graphics showing possible training pathway to becoming a Civil Engineering Technician
Career progression

What a Civil Engineering Technician's career can look like

Graphic showing possible career pathway for a Civil Engineering Technician
What do I do next?

What do I do next?

For more information on becoming a Civil Engineering Technician:

  • talk to your careers adviser 
  • contact your local TAFE
  • if you already work in rail, talk to your employer.