Role and Duties of a Civil Engineering Project Manager

Civil engineering projects are construction projects funded by the government. These projects are usually construction of bridges, sewage systems, or roads. A civil engineering project manager is an employee or contractor who oversees a civil engineering project from beginning to end.

Qualifications for the Role of Civil Engineering Project Manager

A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or construction science is normally required to gain employment as a civil engineering project manager. A project manager must also have years of experience working on construction projects. Although the government does not require project managers to be certified, both the Construction Management Association of America and the American Institute of Constructors offer voluntary certifications.

Duties: Planning

A civil engineering project manager is responsible for planning civil engineering projects. The project manager normally begins by hiring the contractors who will complete the actual construction work. A civil engineering project manager also ensures that the project stays on budget and compliant. Civil engineering projects are funded by the government, so there are specific requirements the project manager must adhere to. If they do not, they risk having their funding pulled or losing the project altogether.

Duties: On Site

Civil engineering project managers usually work out of an office on the construction. They are responsible for the day to day management of the project as well as the contractors or employees that are working on it. Project managers are normally on call 24 hours a day in case of emergencies. Because civil engineering project managers are responsible for keeping the project compliant with government regulations, they are also responsible for keeping documentation about the progress being made on the project. They may take care of the documentation themselves or hire an employee to perform this task.