GovCentral

Career Guides >> Browse Articles >> Government Job Search

The Best Entry Level Government Jobs

Each article will help you identify the steps you need to take to prepare for each job. At the bottom, you’ll find links to different job searches you can conduct for this entry-level job.

Civil Engineers

Median Earnings: $52 / hr.

Description: Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, water and sewage systems, and waste disposal units. Includes architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, and geo-technical engineers.

Tasks
• Manage and direct staff members and the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
• Provide technical advice regarding design, construction, or program modifications and structural repairs to industrial and managerial personnel.
• Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
• Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility.
• Test soils and materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel.
• Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, and material stress factors to determine design specifications.
• Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems and structures, following construction and government standards, using design software and drawing tools.

Knowledge
• Engineering and Technology – Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Design – Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Building and Construction – Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Mathematics – Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills
• Reading Comprehension – Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Complex Problem Solving – Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Jobs: City Engineer, Civil Engineer, Civil Engineering Manager, Design Engineer, Engineer, Project Engineer, Project Manager, Structural Engineer