What are the responsibilities and job description for the Civil Designer (Entry Level) position at DOWL?
Why DOWL?
DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.
Site Design
At DOWL, you'll be part of a team that delivers a full spectrum of civil engineering services to both public and private clients making a meaningful impact on communities and infrastructure across the region. We take pride in our ability to solve complex planning, environmental, and design challenges, navigate funding and permitting hurdles, and guide projects from concept through construction with precision and care. Our strong reputation is built on a commitment to quality and the personal attention we bring to every project. If you're passionate about creating practical, lasting solutions and want to grow with a company that values both technical excellence and client relationships, we invite you to join us.
Summary
The Civil Designer is responsible for performing basic calculations and comprehensive design services for a variety of civil engineering and site development projects. The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic, demonstrate a desire to learn new design concepts, apply judgement and discretion, and have excellent organizational and communication skills. A successful Civil Designer demonstrates basic proficiency with drafting fundamentals and AutoCAD Civil 3D design software. Other duties include making site visits, coordinating with clients and approval agencies, preparing construction documents, estimating construction costs, and preparing written reports. This person is expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary. This position works under the guidance of a licensed professional engineer.
Job Responsibilities And Duties
To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Software
Team player who mostly functions in a supporting role in a project team setting. Collaborates, listens, takes direction well, and retains information provided. Motivated to grow skills and help the team.
Project Delivery
Produces The Following Under Close Direction/oversight From Others
Basic understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Collaborates with supervisor and/or resource manager to plan work time on assignments. Conducts basic monitoring of budgets and schedules for simple project tasks.
Industry Standards and Regulations
Demonstrates Basic Familiarity With The Following Design Codes
Infrequent direct client interaction. Reads emails and occasionally attends client meetings, listens, and prepares meeting minutes.
Other
Other duties as assigned.
Level of Work/Accountability
Performs basic levels of technical work on projects in support of more experienced staff within the market sector. Operates with minimal autonomy - work is closely supervised by more senior staff.
Education And/or Experience
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.
Site Design
At DOWL, you'll be part of a team that delivers a full spectrum of civil engineering services to both public and private clients making a meaningful impact on communities and infrastructure across the region. We take pride in our ability to solve complex planning, environmental, and design challenges, navigate funding and permitting hurdles, and guide projects from concept through construction with precision and care. Our strong reputation is built on a commitment to quality and the personal attention we bring to every project. If you're passionate about creating practical, lasting solutions and want to grow with a company that values both technical excellence and client relationships, we invite you to join us.
Summary
The Civil Designer is responsible for performing basic calculations and comprehensive design services for a variety of civil engineering and site development projects. The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic, demonstrate a desire to learn new design concepts, apply judgement and discretion, and have excellent organizational and communication skills. A successful Civil Designer demonstrates basic proficiency with drafting fundamentals and AutoCAD Civil 3D design software. Other duties include making site visits, coordinating with clients and approval agencies, preparing construction documents, estimating construction costs, and preparing written reports. This person is expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary. This position works under the guidance of a licensed professional engineer.
Job Responsibilities And Duties
To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Software
- Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Basic
- Market Sector Software (AutoCAD/C3D, HydroCAD, AutoTurn/Vehicle Tracking) - Basic
- Basic understanding of technical fundamentals
- Performs basic technical tasks assigned by market sector with oversight from others
- Motivated to learn new technical skills through self-study and mentoring
Team player who mostly functions in a supporting role in a project team setting. Collaborates, listens, takes direction well, and retains information provided. Motivated to grow skills and help the team.
Project Delivery
Produces The Following Under Close Direction/oversight From Others
- Identify design criteria
- Site layout and grading
- Utility plans and profiles
- Street plans and profiles
- Construction plans
- Quantity takeoffs
- Storm calculations
- ADA designs
- Offsite improvements designs
- Permit applications
- Construction details and notes
- Services during construction (RFI and submittal review, construction observation and inspection, and record drawings)
Basic understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Collaborates with supervisor and/or resource manager to plan work time on assignments. Conducts basic monitoring of budgets and schedules for simple project tasks.
Industry Standards and Regulations
Demonstrates Basic Familiarity With The Following Design Codes
- Local jurisdiction
- Local DOT
- PROWAG
- ASTM
- AWWA
- MUTCD
- DEQ
Infrequent direct client interaction. Reads emails and occasionally attends client meetings, listens, and prepares meeting minutes.
Other
Other duties as assigned.
Level of Work/Accountability
Performs basic levels of technical work on projects in support of more experienced staff within the market sector. Operates with minimal autonomy - work is closely supervised by more senior staff.
Education And/or Experience
- Bachelor's Degree required
- Years of experience required: none
- Years of experience required with advanced degree: none
- EIT/EI required (within 6 months of hire)
- Driving is an essential job function or a valid driver’s license is required to support legitimate business purposes
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.