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Career Details : Civil Drafters

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Description

Prepare drawings and topographical and relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood-control projects, and water and sewerage control systems.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

  • Draws maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
  • Identifies symbols located on topographical surveys to denote geological and geophysical formations or oil-field installations.
  • Reviews rough sketches, drawings, specifications, and other engineering data received from civil engineer.
  • Calculates excavation tonnage and prepares graphs and fill-hauling diagrams used in earth-moving operations.
  • Accompanies field survey crew to locate grading markers or to collect data required to revise construction drawings.
  • Correlates, interprets, and modifies data obtained from topographical surveys, well logs, and geophysical prospecting reports.
  • Computes and represents characteristics and dimensions of borehole, such as depth, degree, and direction of inclination.
  • Finishes and duplicates drawings, according to required mediums and specifications for reproduction, using blueprinting, photographing, or other duplicating methods.
  • Drafts plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes.
  • Plots boreholes for oil and gas wells from photographic subsurface survey recordings and other data, using computer-assisted drafting equipment.

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    • Consequence of Error
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Frustrating Circumstances
    • Indoors

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