Junior Site Engineer

While a junior civil engineer’s duties can vary between projects, most of the postings that we analyzed shared several core responsibilities:

Prepare Blueprints and Specifications

Junior civil engineers prepare blueprints and specification sheets for entire projects or smaller components of large-scale undertakings. They may use computer-assisted drafting programs to create dimensional drawings for project elements or assemble material specification documents for contractors. Junior civil engineers may also review plans and blueprints prepared by other team members before they are submitted to the supervising engineer for final approval.

Manage Project Workflow

Many junior civil engineers oversee the progress of project elements. This can include visiting sites to take measurements or resolving contractor delays on behalf of the senior civil engineer. A junior civil engineer frequently serves as a liaison between the engineering team and construction workers. In some cases, junior civil engineers work closely with the lead engineer to develop project schedules and deliverable timelines.

Develop Cost Estimates

Lead civil engineers may rely on junior civil engineers to provide budget oversight and develop cost estimates for materials and personnel based on documents and project plans. In some cases, junior civil engineers may work with thelead engineerto review bids and examine supplier costs to determine the best prices for project materials and personnel, with the junior civil engineer making recommendations to project leaders about vendors and suppliers.

Inspect Construction Sites

Junior civil engineers may make periodic site visits to monitor progress and ensure that projects are completed according to specifications and construction codes. Typically, a junior civil engineer prepares a report about site conditions and progress and reports their findings to the lead civil engineer. In some cases, a junior civil engineer may provide direction to contractors on behalf of the lead engineer, particularly when project elements need to deviate from blueprints.

Provide Engineering Support

Throughout the planning and construction processes, junior civil engineers provide support in ways that can include gathering data for permit applications, presenting documentation or blueprints to government officials, and maintaining records of change orders. Junior civil engineers receive assignments directly from the lead civil engineer, so the day-to-day duties can vary based on the specific needs of a project.

Prepare Project Reports

Junior civil engineers prepare and present progress reports to the lead civil engineer, technicians, and other team members. These reports can include project timelines, areas where costs may exceed expectations, and potential delays or issues that arise during construction. If the junior civil engineer is working on a public works project, they may also need to present these reports with the public and government officials.