Skip to content
ESCO occupation

civil engineering worker

Back to ESCO occupations

Civil engineering workers perform tasks concerning the cleaning and preparation of construction sites for civil engineering projects. This includes the work on building and maintenance of roads, railways and dams.

9312.1 ISCO 9312 ESCO source
Competences
57
Groups
4
Essential
28
Optional
29

Competences and skills

57 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 7 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

5 competences
compaction techniques

The field of information which consists of a variety of techniques to spread asphalt over roads. Each technique is determined by the concept of the asphalt mix and the used paving technique. This is determined by its rolling and chip distribution.

ESCO source
dredging consoles

The configuration of different types of dredging consoles. How the functions of the dredge are mapped to the console.

ESCO source
excavation techniques

The methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.

ESCO source
rail infrastructure

Thoroughly understand the characteristics of railway infrastructure: rail technologies, track gauges, rail signalling, rail junctions, etc.

ESCO source
work trains

The composition and functions of a work train, a train composed of automatic machines that remove, inspect, adjust and lay railway ballast, sleepers and rails.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

2 competences
mechanical tools

Various type of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

ESCO source
road traffic laws

The rule governing the circulation of vehicles, such as national traffic codes and the rules of the road.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 21 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

14 competences
dig soil mechanically

Use mechanical equipment to dig up and move soil. Form pits according to excavation plans.

ESCO source
guide operation of heavy construction equipment

Guide a colleague in operating a piece of heavy construction equipment. Follow the operation closely and understand when feedback is called for. Use communication techniques like voice, two-way radio, agreed-upon gestures and whistles to signal the appropriate information to the operator.

ESCO source
inspect construction sites

Ensure health and safety during the construction project by inspecting the construction site regularly. Identify risks of putting people in danger or of damaging construction equipment.

ESCO source
inspect drainage channels

Maintain and clear gutters, sewer systems, and other water carrying facilities to ensure proper drainage and prevent damage to infrastructure such as roads and railways.

ESCO source
inspect railways visually

Visually check the integrity of train tracks, sleepers, and ballast. This is usually done in reaction to reports from workers or detections by sensors.

ESCO source
inspect road signs

Inspect road signs for signs of corrosion, outdated information, nicks and dents, legilibility and reflectance. Decide on the course of action when problems are found.

ESCO source
lay base courses

Lay the stabilising courses that support a road. Lay the road base, which enhances the drainage properties of the road, and a sub-base if called for. Use the correct material for this, usually a mix of aggregates or local secondary materials, sometimes with some binding agents added.

ESCO source
operate drones in civil engineering

Operate drone technologies in the area of civil engineering in a number of different uses, such as topographic terrain mapping, building and land surveys, site inspections, remote monitoring, and thermal imaging recording.

ESCO source
pave asphalt layers

Use different grades of asphalt to lay the asphalt layers of a road. Lay an asphalt base layer with low bitumen content to provide a stable surface, a binder layer with intermediate bitumen content, and a surface layer containing the highest grade material with the highest bitumen content to withstand the stresses of road transport. Tend a paver to lay the asphalt or use different techniques and instruments.

ESCO source
prepare subgrade for road pavement

Make sure the surface underneath the road is ready to be paved. Ensure that it is flat, stable and able to resist the mechanical stresses of road traffic.

ESCO source
provide pipe bedding

Lay bedding in a trench to stabilise a pipe if called for. Lay bedding beneath the pipe and around it to protect from environmental influences.

ESCO source
remove road surface

Remove an existing road surface. Use the appropriate machinery or coordinate with machine operators to assist in the excavation of asphalt or concrete road coverings.

ESCO source
transport construction supplies

Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers' safety and protection from deterioration.

ESCO source
work in a construction team

Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

7 competences
follow health and safety procedures in construction

Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.

green
ESCO source
inspect asphalt

Inspect the placement of asphalt concrete ensuring that the specifications are met and no flows are present.

ESCO source
inspect construction supplies

Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.

ESCO source
lay pipe installation

Install the system of pipes used to transport a fluid, be it a liquid or a gas, from one point to another and connect it to the fuel and water supply lines, air ducts, and other components.

ESCO source
perform drainage work

Dig draining ditches and lay the pipe or gutter installation to allow evacuation of surplus liquid and avoid subsidence or other damage.

ESCO source
position guardrails and toeboards

Attach guardrails and toeboards to the scaffolding standards at set heights and intervals to ensure the safety of the workers and prevent objects from falling. Secure the guardrails using couplers or wedges.

ESCO source
use safety equipment in construction

Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.

ESCO source
Optional knowledge 5 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

1 competence
road signage standards

National and European regulations on the placement and properties of road signage, including size, height, reflectance and other important characteristics.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

4 competences
asphalt mixes

The properties, advantages and disadvantages of asphalt mixes such as Marshall and Superpave mixes and the way they are best applied.

ESCO source
civil engineering

The engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.

ESCO source
construction methods

The various techniques and methods for erecting buildings and other constructions.

ESCO source
types of asphalt coverings

Different types of asphalt covering, based on their bitumen content and composition. The strengths, weaknesses, and price points of each type. Special properties such as porosity, resistance to skidding and noise characteristics.

ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 24 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

17 competences
lay concrete slabs

Lay concrete slabs, used as road covering, on a prepared surface. Guide a crane operator to position the slab in the right place and manually set it correctly, often using tongue and groove joints.

ESCO source
maintain rail infrastructure

Inspect rails for cracks and damage, replace worn rails, tighten up loose screws, perform welding work if necessary. Maintain railway embankment, side walkways and drainage installations.

ESCO source
monitor ballast regulator

Monitor a ballast regulator, the work train component that arranges railway ballast for optimal stability. Report any problems or take the appropriate action.

ESCO source
monitor rail laying machine

Monitor the machine that presses down rails onto the sleeper. Report or take the appropriate action in case of any problem.

ESCO source
monitor rail pickup machine

Monitor the work train machine that picks up removed rails for transport. Make sure the rails are safely removed and loaded into a storage car.

ESCO source
monitor tamping car

Monitor the work train car that tamps railway ballast to ensure stability. Report or take action if any problem occurs.

ESCO source
operate mobile crane

Operate a mobile crane safely. Take into account the condition of the terrain, weather conditions, load mass, and expected manoeuvres.

ESCO source
operate pavement surface friction measuring devices

Operate pavement surface friction measuring devices in order to prevent build up of rubber in the tarmac and maintain skid-resistance properties.

ESCO source
operate rail grinder

Use a rail grinder to remove any imperfection or accretions from rails. Operate a handheld grinder or monitor the workings of a work train.

ESCO source
operate road marking machine

Operate the machine used to renew or make new markings on roads and parking lots to ensure traffic order.

ESCO source
operate road roller

Operate various types of mechanic and manual road rollers, pieces of equipment used to compact surfaces.

ESCO source
operate sleeper clipping unit

Operate a machine that installs metal fastening clips onto railway sleepers. Attach the rails to the sleepers securely by using manual equipment.

ESCO source
place temporary road signage

Place temporary traffic signs, lights and barriers to alert road users of activities on the road.

ESCO source
pour concrete

Pour concrete into a form from a mixer truck chute, hopper or hose. Pour the correct amount to balance efficiency with the risk of the concrete not setting completely.

ESCO source
screed concrete

Smooth the surface of freshly poured concrete using a screed.

ESCO source
secure heavy construction equipment

Secure heavy equipment such as tower cranes or concrete pumps before, during, and after use to prevent damage to the machines, workforce or construction site. Take precautionary steps such as retracting the robotic arm of concrete pumps or bringing the hook block back to the jib.

ESCO source
set up temporary construction site infrastructure

Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

7 competences
coordinate construction activities

Coordinate the activities of several construction workers or crews to make sure they do not interfere with each other and to ensure that the works are done in a timely manner. Keep up to date on the progress of the teams and update the schedule if called for.

ESCO source
drive mobile heavy construction equipment

Drive movable heavy equipment used in construction. Load the equipment onto low loaders, or unload it. Judiciously drive equipment on public roads when required.

ESCO source
keep heavy construction equipment in good condition

Inspect heavy equipment for construction projects before each use. Maintain the machine in good working order, taking care of small repairs and alerting the responsible person in case of serious defects.

ESCO source
mix concrete

Use compact concrete mixers or various ad-hoc containers such as wheelbarrows to mix concrete. Prepare the correct quantities of cement, water, aggregate and optional added ingredients, and mix the ingredients until an homogenous concrete is formed.

ESCO source
operate grappler

Operate a hydraulic grappler, an attachment to heavy machinery used to grab and manipulate cylindrical objects such as trees or pipes. Lift up the object, safely manoeuvre it, and set it down in the desired position.

ESCO source
secure working area

Secure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.

ESCO source
use measurement instruments

Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.

ESCO source