Construction Field Works

Field Work on Construction Projects

Engineers concerned with direct field work have to allocate the work to the
various agencies under their control, arrange for materials and equipment, and
ensure that the works are carried out by the workers as per the specifications laid
down and as per drawings given to them by the planners. They would have to also
ensure that the work is carried out as per the given schedule, and this would
require constant monitoring of the productivity of the workers under their
control. The safety aspect of the workers has also to be ensured by the engineer.
On larger sites, separate engineers would be concerned with the laying out of the
work and the measuring it after it is completed. A separate QA QC section would
also oversee the necessary quality works needed on site.

Offsite Work and Coordination

There is also a substantial amount of work that has to be done off site in any
construction project. This can involve detail scheduling and monitoring of
progress to ensure that the work is within the time schedule envisaged by the
owners or stakeholders. Attention is also required to be paid to procurement of
the materials to ensure that the schedule of construction is not interrupted.
Provision of temporary facilities like offices, storage space, water supply,
electricity, and security may require the attention of the engineer.
Any construction site generally involves a number of activities, which besides the
construction can also require installation of equipment and machinery, like in
factories or electro-mechanical work in buildings. An engineer’s work will require
him to coordinate with the various agencies concerned, so that this work
proceeds smoothly.
Opportunities in Construction for People in Trades
Opportunities in construction depend on the educational background and
vocational training people have acquired before their entry into the industry.
Unskilled and semi-skilled site labor, which is required on most project sites, form
a large part of the workforce on any construction project. There is no educational
or vocational training required if you are looking for opportunities to work at
construction sites. However, contractors who hire such labor will give preference
to people who have experience in working on similar projects. Thus experience
becomes a must when you look for such opportunities.
For opportunities for construction project in skilled occupations, an educational
background of basic schooling with vocational training comes in handy. Skills such
as masonry, carpentry, and ironwork are quite often picked up by persons by
working as apprentices with other skilled persons for a number of years, and this
is quite often acceptable to people looking for skilled workers. These skills may be
tested at the site of work and accepted as qualification where vocational training
has been missing. There are certain skills like welding, electrician’s work,
plumbing, and some specialized categories where the recruitment is done based
on the certification obtained by the person from accredited institutions. These
certifications ensure that the qualified person has the necessary skills that enable
the person to do the quality of work required on the construction site.

What Is a Construction Field Engineer?

A construction field engineer is one of many types of engineering jobs you can
specialize in after earning an engineering degree. These professionals work on
construction projects and help build a variety of structures. If you have math and
science skills and enjoy analysis, problem-solving and designing complex projects,
you might find a successful career as a construction field engineer.
Construction field engineers, also called field and project engineers, are
engineering professionals who plan, design and manage building, infrastructure
and other construction projects. They might work on roads, bridges, buildings,
steel structures, airports, levees, dams, and waste and water systems. Some
construction field engineers specialize in developing one type of structure or
performing specific construction tasks such as:
Surveying
Foundation analysis
Building inspection
Municipal or city planning
Geomatics or geography
They can work for local governments, consulting agencies or construction
companies, or they might own their own construction engineering businesses.

Construction Field Works: What does a construction field engineer do?

A construction field engineer manages large and complex construction projects to
make sure they run smoothly, safely and effectively. They have a wide range of
job responsibilities, depending on their area of specialization. These duties might
include:
Managing employees and their schedules
Communicating and meeting with clients and team members to plan projects and
determine requirements
Choosing proper building materials
Planning construction procedures
Designing and building structures and systems to code
Reviewing and approving surveys and designs
Making sure projects follow environmental regulations
Performing economic, traffic, environmental impact and feasibility studies
Measuring soil and water quality to prevent contamination
Inspecting systems and equipment, testing them for safety, ensuring they are
well-maintained and overseeing repairs and upgrades
Solving problems involving construction or machinery
Preparing project contracts and creating progress reports
Estimating costs and making sure projects stay within budget
Construction field engineers spend some time working in an office and the rest of
their work days overseeing projects and staff at job sites. They work closely with
construction crews, technicians, site superintendents, clients and other engineers.

Construction field engineer requirements

Construction field engineers typically need an engineering degree, construction
experience and project management skills to succeed in this career.
Education
Construction field engineers need at least a four-year bachelor's degree in civil
engineering, construction engineering, engineering management or business
administration.
Students enrolled in these programs spend time in the classroom as well as in
laboratories and the field. Some programs might require students to get jobs to
gain experience while earning their degrees. Important construction engineering
courses you might take during your college studies include:
Construction management
Engineering design
Engineering mechanics
Math
Science
Graduates who want to specialize in a certain area of construction field
engineering or improve their chances for career advancement might consider
getting an advanced degree such as a master's or doctorate in a construction or
engineering field.
Training and licensing
Most entry-level construction field engineer jobs require some construction or
project management experience, which professionals might gain during college,
through internships or by working for a few years in a construction job after
graduation. Professionals might need four to 10 years of experience, depending
on their career path, before they qualify to apply for construction field engineer
jobs.
While not mandatory, some employers prefer to hire construction field engineers
who have a professional engineer's license. This credential shows you are
dedicated to your career and to advancing your engineering knowledge. To earn a
professional engineer's license, you must work under an experienced engineer's
supervision for at least four years, study for and pass two exams and apply for the
license through your state's board.
Skills
Construction field engineers have a variety of soft and hard skills that allow them
to oversee complex projects and guide a team of employees, engineers,
management and clients. Common construction field engineer skills include:
Communication: These engineers need to be able to communicate frequently and
clearly about a project's progress. They should speak to clients and stakeholders
in language that is easy to understand. When an issue occurs, they need to
explain why it happened and how they plan to resolve it. They should also have
strong written communication skills for creating reports.
Problem-solving: Construction field engineers are always trying to find solutions
to complex problems involving building and infrastructure design. They need to
make sure projects are safe, efficient and affordable.
Math: These professionals use math concepts such as calculus and trigonometry
to analyze and design projects.
Technology: Construction field engineers use computer programs to design and
monitor projects. They should be skilled in budgeting and office programs and
computer-aided design software.
Time management: These engineers make sure projects get completed efficiently
to meet deadlines.
Leadership: Construction field engineers should be comfortable guiding a group of
employees through a project's completion. They should delegate tasks and
provide useful feedback. They are responsible for a project's quality and outcome.