The job outlook for Civil 3D Coordinators is positive, with strong future growth expected. This field also tends to pay relatively well. Keep reading for more information about what a Civil 3D Coordinator does, how to become one, and some of the predictions that experts are making for the future of this profession.
What is a Civil 3D Coordinator?
A Civil 3D Coordinator works with a Civil 3D design team to coordinate projects and ensure that they progress smoothly. This role includes a range of different tasks such as administration, communication, data management, research, and scheduling. More specifically, Civil 3D Coordinators provide training, implement standards, ensure compliance, set up workflows, offer technical support, and help protect company data. They work with a variety of different departments and help ensure that there is good communication between various team members. In addition, they communicate status changes with management.
Civil 3D Coordinators have experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, and are proficient in Civil 3D, which is an Autodesk software application used for civil engineering design and documentation. Civil 3D supports Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows for many different types of civil engineering projects including water, land development, roads, rail, and airports. Civil 3D Coordinators are also skilled in other applications used in civil engineering, such as AutoCAD, Navisworks, and Bluebeam. In addition, they have strong communication skills and can work well as part of a team.
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What is the Job Outlook for a Civil 3D Coordinator?
Future Growth
The field of civil engineering is expected to experience strong job growth in the future, making the outlook for Civil 3D Coordinators positive. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a federal agency that collects and analyzes U.S. labor market information. It reports that over the next ten years, Civil Engineers will see 6 percent job growth, which is faster than the average job growth rate of 4 percent. It explains, “With continued investment in U.S. infrastructure, civil engineers will be needed to manage projects that meet society's need for upgrading bridges, roads, water systems, buildings, and other structures.” In addition, it says, “Civil engineers also will be needed to oversee renewable-energy projects, such as construction of wind farms and solar arrays, as these projects gain approval.”
BLS also provides statistics for Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians, which is a category that includes Civil 3D Coordinators. It says that there is likely to continue to be a strong need for professionals in this field, explaining, “The need to preserve, repair, and upgrade the country’s infrastructure continues to increase. . . . Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee this work, and civil engineering technologists and technicians will be needed to assist the engineers in these projects. Civil engineering technologists and technicians also will find work assisting civil engineers with renewable-energy projects.”
Industries
Civil engineering projects take place within a wide range of different industries including transportation, construction, and energy. When you work in the field of civil engineering, you can work on a variety of different types of projects such as roads, airports, dams, pipelines, water systems, tunnels, and bridges. The BLS website details some of the types of civil engineering projects that are likely to be common in the future. It says, “The need to preserve, repair, and upgrade the country’s infrastructure continues to increase. Bridges, roads, levees, airports, and dams will need to be rebuilt, maintained, and enhanced. In addition, more waste treatment plants will be needed to help clean the nation’s waterways, and water systems must be maintained to reduce or eliminate loss of potable water.” In addition, BLS finds that civil engineering is likely to be in demand in the field of renewable energy. According to the agency, the majority of civil engineering jobs are at engineering companies. In addition, it reports that state and local governments are major sources of employment. It finds that the oil and gas industry is the highest-paying industry.
Salary
A number of websites--such as Glassdoor and Indeed--provide salary estimates for a variety of different jobs, and this is a common place to turn for salary information. However, the title of Civil 3D Coordinator is not listed by many of these sites, so precise salary information can be more challenging to find than for some other types of jobs. The Virtual Design and Construction Institute provides an estimate. It reports that while salaries vary from state to state, on average, a Civil 3D Coordinator earns approximately $60,000 to $70,000 yearly. Glassdoor provides a salary estimate for the job of CAD Coordinator--which is a similar role to Civil 3D Coordinator--reporting yearly earnings of about $84,000. ZipRecruiter provides salary estimates for some of the most popular job searches involving Civil 3D. It finds that the average salary for many of these positions ranges from about $60,000 to around $100,000. BLS is another place to look for salary data. It provides salary estimates for Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians, which is a category that includes Civil 3D Coordinators, but also many other job titles. It finds that the median pay in this category is about $60,000 per year.
How Do I Find a Civil 3D Coordinator Job?
To work as a 3D Civil Coordinator, you’ll need civil engineering knowledge and experience. You’ll also need to learn to use a number of different computer applications including Autodesk Civil 3D, AutoCAD, Navisworks, and Bluebeam. In addition, you’ll need a number of soft skills including communication, teamwork, and organization. There are a number of different ways to gain the skills and knowledge needed to work in this role. Career-focused training programs--which include bootcamps and certificate courses--have become an increasingly popular option in recent years. These types of courses provide immersive and accelerated training that is specifically designed to prepare you for your chosen career in a relatively short period of time. In addition, many include a variety of career support services.
In addition to education, if you want to work as a Civil 3D Coordinator you’ll need to gain experience. The amount of experience required varies widely, however, in general, you can expect to need about two years of experience for an entry-level job, and more for a higher-level position. The Virtual Design and Construction Institute suggests that you should have about three to five years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Ways to gain that experience while you’re still learning include volunteering, working on a side project, or taking on an internship or part-time job.
Learn the Skills to Become a Civil 3D Coordinator at Noble Desktop
The Virtual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offers a variety of training options for individuals looking to gain the skills needed to become a Civil 3D Coordinator. This school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Its online, self-paced classes allow you to create your own learning schedule. You’ll also be able to get advice and feedback on your submissions and projects, and interact with peers in discussion forums. VDCI classes are approved by Autodesk, Adobe, Trimble, and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for elearning.
- VDCI offers three different Civil 3D classes. For each class, the instructor is a licensed Civil Engineer and also an Autodesk Certified Instructor. In Intermediate Civil 3D: Surveying and Mapping, you’ll learn about the surveying and mapping elements and commands in Civil 3D. Covered topics include survey and COGO points, point marker and label styles, point groups, linework code sets, figure prefix databases, survey imports, parcels, sites, parcel labels, TIN surfaces, surface labels, and surface analysis. Intermediate Civil 3D: Transportation Design is focused on the transportation design elements and commands in Civil 3D. Instructors cover alignments, surface profiles, design profiles, and view windows, assemblies, corridors, intersections, sample lines, cross sections, and 3D visualization. The third VDCI option is Intermediate Civil 3D: Land Development. This course covers land development design elements and commands such as drawing template files, data shortcuts, feature lines, grading groups, pipe networks, pressure networks, and paper space.
- VDCI also has a more comprehensive Civil 3D Certificate Program. This nationally accredited program takes a number of months to complete and will equip you with the skills to develop and refurbish public sites and infrastructure systems with Civil 3D. It includes courses in both Civil 3D and AutoCAD. You’ll also take a number of elective courses and work on a capstone project. You’ll be exposed to real-world databases and will learn about file sharing and data management.
- VDCI also offers a variety of AutoCAD classes. In Introduction to AutoCAD, you can learn the basics of this application. You’ll learn about the user interface and basic commands, including drawing, modifying, layering standards, text, dimensioning, and plotting. You’ll create drafting symbols, kitchen and bath fixtures, and a floor plan, and will integrate all of the information. Another option is Intermediate AutoCAD, which covers more advanced topics, including file referencing across the project data, user coordinate systems, dynamic viewing, and paper/model space conventions. You’ll create a set of CAD construction documents for a Habitat for Humanity project, including the floor plan, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, and building elevations.
- Another VDCI option is the Essential Skills Bundle. This bundle is a great way to improve your communication, teamwork, collaboration, and self-management skills, all of which are essential if you want to work as a Civil 3D Coordinator. Three classes are included. In Communication and Connection, you’ll learn a variety of communication skills including negotiation and conflict management. You’ll also work on your emotional intelligence and learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Self-Management Skills covers skills such as prioritizing, improving efficiency, focusing on ethics and integrity, and setting goals. Finally, in Teamwork, Collaboration & Leadership, you’ll learn to build collaboration, conduct meetings effectively, inspire other people, and make decisions as a group.
Noble Desktop is another place to learn AutoCAD. This coding and design school is based in New York City and offers live AutoCAD classes either in person or online. This school is licensed by the New York State Education Department and all of its classes come with a certificate of completion and the option of a free retake within one year.
- If you’re looking for a shorter course, Noble runs a multi-day class called AutoCAD Level 1, where you can learn to use AutoCAD’s basic drawing and editing tools to create drawings for architectural and mechanical objects. AutoCAD Level 2, is another short option. In this intermediate class, you’ll work on more advanced and technical projects. You’ll also learn how to create templates by setting units, drawing limits, and scales, and how to use the interface to complete advanced layer and block techniques. Noble also offers AutoCAD Level 3, an advanced course where you’ll learn about annotation, dynamic blocks and attributes, collaboration and publishing, and customization. In this class, you’ll learn to execute advanced AutoCAD projects from start to finish as well as how to use the program’s tools to increase efficiency. If you’d like a longer class, Noble also offers the AutoCAD Bootcamp, which is a combination of its beginner and intermediate classes, at a 10 percent discount.
- If you want a more comprehensive AutoCAD course, you might be interested in the AutoCAD Masterclass, where you’ll go from a beginner to an advanced level. This class begins by covering basic skills such as understanding the interface, creating drawings, using object snap tracking, and using editing commands. After that, you’ll learn more complex skills like working with templates and layouts, creating and organizing blocks, and using external references. The course also covers advanced AutoCAD skills, including tables, text objects, attributes, and dynamic blocks. In addition, you’ll work on a variety of projects.
- Another Noble Desktop option is the AutoCAD Certification Program. This is designed for students who want to earn the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting. This program starts with three AutoCAD classes, which are intended to take you from beginner to advanced level. You’ll also receive six hours of private tutoring, where you can work on any difficult skills and make sure you are fully prepared for the exam. After that, you’ll take the Autodesk AutoCAD exam. The exam, proctoring, and a free retake are included in the course fee. If you don’t want to take the exam, you can opt for an extra hour of private tutoring instead.