Architectural and Civil Drafters

17-3011.00

Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
• Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
• Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
• Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
• Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
• Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
• Supervise and train other technologists, technicians, and drafters.
• Determine the order of work and method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
• Finish and duplicate drawings and documentation packages according to required mediums and specifications for reproduction, using blueprinting, photography, or other duplicating methods.
• Draw rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data.
• Correlate, interpret, and modify data obtained from topographical surveys, well logs, and geophysical prospecting reports.
• Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to lists of materials.
• Determine procedures and instructions to be followed, according to design specifications and quantity of required materials.
• Supervise or conduct field surveys, inspections, or technical investigations to obtain data required to revise construction drawings.
• Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments as necessary.
• Obtain and assemble data to complete architectural designs, visiting job sites to compile measurements as necessary.
• Determine quality, cost, strength, and quantity of required materials, and enter figures on materials lists.
• Locate and identify symbols on topographical surveys to denote geological and geophysical formations or oil field installations.
• Create freehand drawings and lettering to accompany drawings.
• Calculate excavation tonnage and prepare graphs and fill-hauling diagrams for use in earth-moving operations.
• Prepare colored drawings of landscape and interior designs for presentation to client.
• Calculate weights, volumes, and stress factors and their implications for technical aspects of designs.
• Plot characteristics of boreholes for oil and gas wells from photographic subsurface survey recordings and other data, representing depth, degree, and direction of inclination.
• Reproduce drawings on copy machines or trace copies of plans and drawings, using transparent paper or cloth, ink, pencil, and standard drafting instruments.
• Calculate heat loss and gain of buildings and structures to determine required equipment specifications, following standard procedures.
• Prepare cost estimates, contracts, bidding documents, and technical reports for specific projects under an architect's or engineer's supervision.
• Represent architect or engineer on construction site, ensuring builder compliance with design specifications and advising on design corrections, under supervision.
• Review rough sketches, drawings, specifications, and other engineering data to ensure that they conform to design concepts.

Technology Skills

• Computer aided design CAD software - Alias Wavefront Design Studio; Autodesk 3d Studio Viz; Autodesk Architectural Desktop; Autodesk AutoCAD ; Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D ; Autodesk Inventor; Autodesk Land Desktop; Autodesk Revit ; Autodesk Revit Architecture; Autodesk Softdesk; Bentley MicroStation ; Bentley WaterCAD; Computer aided design and drafting CADD software; Computer aided design and drafting software CADD; Computer assisted design software; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks 🔥; ENERCALC FastFrame; Graphisoft ArchiCAD; Logitech 3D Pro; NavisWorks Jetstream; OpenRoads Designer; Piping and instrumentation design PID software; PTC Creo Parametric; Tekla software; Three-dimensional modeling software; Trimble SketchUp Pro 🔥; UGS Solid Edge; VectorWorks ARCHITECT
• Data base user interface and query software - ARCOM Masterspec; Database software; Microsoft Access 🔥
• Desktop publishing software - Adobe InDesign 🔥
• Development environment software - C 🔥; Microsoft .NET Framework 🔥
• Document management software - Adobe Acrobat 🔥; Document management system software
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise application integration software - Extensible markup language XML 🔥
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - ERP software; SAP software 🔥
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥; ESRI ArcView; Geographic information system GIS systems
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe After Effects 🔥; Adobe Creative Cloud software 🔥; Adobe Illustrator 🔥; Adobe LiveMotion; Adobe Photoshop 🔥; AutoDesSys form Z; Bentley GeoPak Bridge; Corel Paint Shop Pro; Graphic presentation software; Intergraph Image Analyst; Landscape modeling software; McNeel Rhinoceros 3D; Microsoft Paint; Motion graphics software; Non uniform rational b-splines NURBS software; Softimage Extreme; Sun Microsystems Cobalt
• Map creation software - Bentley Systems InRoads Suite; Boundary survey software; Geomechanical design analysis GDA software; Topographic map software
• Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software - Bill of materials software
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Microsoft Windows 🔥
• Optical character reader OCR or scanning software - Digitizing and photogrammetric software; Scanning software
• Pattern design software - 100 Plus Hatch Pattern Library
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥; SpecsInTact
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Video creation and editing software - Animation software; Autodesk 3ds Max
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Specification software; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Create graphical representations of civil structures.
• Create graphical representations of structures or landscapes.
• Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.
• Create maps.
• Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
• Verify mathematical calculations.
• Determine operational methods.
• Survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features.
• Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information.
• Collect data about project sites.
• Estimate operational costs.
• Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.
• Prepare procedural documents.
• Review technical documents to plan work.
• Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
• Create graphical representations of energy production systems.
• Prepare technical reports for internal use.
• Prepare contracts, disclosures, or applications.
• Monitor processes for compliance with standards.
• Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
• Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
• Review details of technical drawings or specifications.
• Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.