Photo credit, press conference on cover: Rich Johnston, Nevada Department of Transportation.
ASCE Guidelines for
Engineering
Grades
A Helpful Tool for Human
Resource Professionals,
Engineering Managers,
and Engineers
American Society of Civil Engineers
1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 20191-4400
(800) 548-2723
the salary their abilities deserve. To register and get pricing
information, visit [Link]/salaries.
For more information, visit [Link]/institute.
groups ([Link]/youngermember).
the survey represents the most accurate compensation
information for all engineering professions in the United
States.
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are the ofcial magazine and newspaper of the
American Society of Civil Engineers. Both are
received monthly by more than 90,000 members
of ASCE. The staggered issue dates of Civil
Engineering (mails the 1st) and ASCE News (mails
the 15th) provide a 24/year frequency for timely ad
placement and response. For pricing information,
contact classieds@[Link].
ASCE Career Connections
ASCEs Career Connections
([Link] is the
premier electronic recruitment resource
for the civil engineering industry. The career Web site averages
more than 600 unique job postings, 15,000 unique visitors, and
200,000 page views per month. Employers are able to post jobs in
real-time format, search the database of more than 3,000 resumes,
track online activity, and receive automatic notication of new
prospects. Contact classieds@[Link] for additional information
and pricing.
or construction? This brochure provides paths to achieve a position in the
organization of your choice.
Mentoring Guide for Employers, Mentors and Protgs
Prepared by members of the ASCE Committee on Professional Practices
Committee on Career Development, these mentoring guidelines provide
an overview of ways to implement a mentoring program, benets to both
engineers and employers, and roles and responsibilities. Visit [Link].
org/mentoring for more information.
For more information or to download PDFs of the above brochures, visit
[Link]/professional/careers.
Live Face-to-Face Seminarsmore than 275 in-depth
seminars held each year throughout the United States
covering a wide range of technical and management topics.
Live Web Seminarsmore than 125 low-cost seminars
delivered live over the Web each year on technical and
management topics.
On-Site Trainingconvenient, customized training held at your
organization to meet the objectives of your organization and
your staff.
Distance Learningmore than 150 courses available online, on
CD, on DVD/videotape, and on audiotape.
PE and FE Exam Review Coursesavailable live on the Web,
online, and on CDwith written study guides also available.
Professional Development through ASCE Institutes
The ASCE Institutes work to advance the knowledge
and practice of specic civil engineering specialties by
focusing on technical, educational, and professional
issues. Membership in one of ASCEs Institutes brings
you together with other professionals within your specialty
and provides you with a variety of additional resources.
For more information, visit [Link]/institute.
Visit [Link]/training for complete information on
ASCEs continuing education offerings.
Participate in Local ASCE Groups
Network and advance your career by participating in ASCE
Sections or Branches ([Link]/local) or Younger Member
groups ([Link]/youngermember).
American Society of Civil Engineers
1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 20191-4400
(800) 548-2723
5+ Years with P.E. = Member
Go to [Link]/fellows or call for more
10+ Years with P.E. + Member Grade +
Eminence = Fellow
information on upgrading to Fellow grade.
Find out about business opportunities for
your organization.
Go to [Link]/orgresources.
Join your ASCE Section or Branch
or learn more about them.
Go to [Link]/renewal, [Link]/local,
e-mail member@[Link], or call.
Join an ASCE Institute in your specialty
or learn more about them.
Go to [Link]/addinstitute,
[Link]/institute,
e-mail member@[Link], or call.
Participate in K12 outreach programs.
Go to [Link]/kids,
e-mail outreach@[Link], or call.
Learn about upcoming ASCE
conferences and other events in your area.
Go to [Link]/conferences,
e-mail member@[Link], or call.
Find out how ASCEs continuing
education programs can enhance
your technical and management skills.
Go to [Link]/training,
e-mail member@[Link], or call.
Stay connected with ASCEs online
directory, Member Connections.
Go to [Link]/directory.
Request a catalog and browse ASCE
journals or other publications to stay at
the leading edge of your profession.
Go to [Link]/publications,
e-mail member@[Link], or call.
Get involved in the political process.
Go to [Link]/govrel,
e-mail member@[Link], or call.
Nominate a deserving colleague for
an ASCE award.
Go to [Link]/awards,
e-mail member@[Link], or call.
Photo credit, press conference on cover: Rich Johnston, Nevada Department of Transportation.
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Recent Graduate/Engineer-in-Training =
Afliate Member or Associate Member
If You Want To...
Heres How...
Join ASCE.
Go to [Link]/join or call.
Renew your membership.
Go to [Link]/renewal or call.
Update your contact information, business title,
and communication preferences.
Go to [Link]/myprole or call.
Tailor your membership to your area of
expertise and interest.
Go to [Link]/interests or call.
Advance your membership grade and
gain the professional recognition youve earned:
Go to [Link]/advancemembership
or call.
To take advantage of these and other
membership services, or to get more
information, call (800) 548-ASCE (2723) or
(703) 295-6300.
re
Quick Guide to ASCE Resources
ASCE Career Development Publications [Link]/bookstore
Guide to Hiring and Retaining Great Civil Engineers
(ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice No. 103)
Professional Communications:
A Handbook for Civil Engineers
The need for civil engineers has outstripped supply, and it
has become increasingly difcult for rms to recruit and
retain civil engineersparticularly the best ones. Written by
members of ASCEs Committee on the Employment of Civil
Engineers (CECE) with many years of experience in both
the public and private sectors, this manual also provides
valuable contributions from specialists in the human
resources eld. Edited by Robert J. Russell Published 2003
ISBN 978-0-7844-0627-4 Stock # 40627 List $29.00 /
Members $21.75.
This handbook provides practical,
comprehensive advice on best practices
for developing a wide array of documents,
posters, and oral presentationsalong with
how-to guides on editorial conventions,
editing and proofreading, and writing style.
By Heather Silyn-Roberts Published 2004
ASCE Press ISBN 978-0-7844-0732-5
Stock # 40732 List $39.00 / Members $29.25.
Managing and Leading: 52 Lessons Learned for Engineers
Get useful ideas on how engineers can more effectively
approach the nontechnical or soft-side aspects of working
with colleagues, clients, customers, the public, and other
stakeholders. Each of the 52 quick essays, peppered with
humorous lessons learned, offers an idea or principle for
engineers to improve their managing and leading skills.
By Stuart G. Walesh Published 2004 ASCE Press
ISBN 978-0-7844-0675-5 Stock # 40675 List $55.00 /
Members $41.25.
The Lead Dog Has the Best View: Leading Your Project Team to
Success
Project teams must be led rather than just managed to unleash their full
potential, energy, and enthusiasm. This book provides a person-centered,
results-driven approach to project leadership not found elsewhere. Intended to
be a frequently used tool, it is full of practical exercises and checklists that can
be used individually or with a project team to make project work more fullling
on both a professional and personal level. By Gordon Culp and Anne Smith
Published 2005 ASCE Press ISBN 978-0-7844-0757-8 Stock # 40757
List $45.00 / Members $33.75.
Related ASCE Journals
Leadership and Management in Engineering,
a publication of the ASCE Committee on Professional Practice, examines
contemporary issues and principles of leadership and management. The
focus is on understanding and application of these principles through news,
brief and concise leadership and management nuggets, and short articles
of interest to practicing professionals in a variety of roles and industry
segments. Areas of interest include leadership, teamwork, communications,
team building, decision making, partnering, project management, mentoring,
coaching, diversity, professional practice and development, budgeting,
nancial management, productivity management, and department, branch,
and ofce management.
Journal of Management in Engineering offers an avenue for researchers
and practitioners to present contemporary issues associated with
management and leadership for the civil engineer. The journal publishes
peer-reviewed papers, case studies, technical notes, and discussions
of interest to the practice of civil engineering. Topics include contract
and project management, partnering, ofce management, professional
practice and development, nancial management, human resources,
marketing and sales, ethics, technology and innovation management,
information management, continuing education, strategic planning, conict
management, negotiating, risk management, globalization, networking, team
building, communication, mentoring, coaching, and much more.
American Society of Civil Engineers
1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 20191-4400
(800) 548-2723
the salary their abilities deserve. To register and get pricing
information, visit [Link]/salaries.
and pricing.
and provides you with a variety of additional resources.
For more information, visit [Link]/institute.
Sections or Branches ([Link]/local) or Younger Member
groups ([Link]/youngermember).
ASCE Eng Guide_FRONT.indd 1
7/10/07 [Link] PM
Resources for Hiring Civil Engineers
Career Development Resources
The Engineering Income and Salary Survey
Classified Ads in Civil Engineering Magazine and ASCE News
ASCE collaborates with the National Society of Professional Engineers
to produce The Engineering Income and Salary Survey. Encompassing
35 disciplines and 20,000 engineering professionals,
the survey represents the most accurate compensation
information for all engineering professions in the United
States.
Clearly the best way to reach civil engineers with your classied advertising
is through the two publications that serve civil engineers exclusivelyCivil
Engineering and ASCE News! These publications
are the ofcial magazine and newspaper of the
American Society of Civil Engineers. Both are
received monthly by more than 90,000 members
of ASCE. The staggered issue dates of Civil
Engineering (mails the 1st) and ASCE News (mails
the 15th) provide a 24/year frequency for timely ad
placement and response. For pricing information,
contact classieds@[Link].
Purchase an online subscription to access current
market information before making important
compensation policy decisions.
Photo credit: Rich Johnston, Nevada
Department of Transportation.
Print standard and customized reports for their
geographic region, state, or major city with elds
such as licensure, length of experience, level of
education, and more.
Access 20+ years of historical data on salary trends.
Get real-time updates online at [Link]/salaries for
the most accurate, up-to-date survey information.
For individuals seeking to take the next step in their career, the
survey provides critical insights and information to negotiate
the salary their abilities deserve. To register and get pricing
information, visit [Link]/salaries.
ASCE Career Connections
ASCEs Career Connections
([Link] is the
premier electronic recruitment resource
for the civil engineering industry. The career Web site averages
more than 600 unique job postings, 15,000 unique visitors, and
200,000 page views per month. Employers are able to post jobs in
real-time format, search the database of more than 3,000 resumes,
track online activity, and receive automatic notication of new
prospects. Contact classieds@[Link] for additional information
and pricing.
(800) 548-2723
The survey helps civil engineering employers build
a compensation strategy for hiring and retaining
extraordinary employees. Employers and engineers can:
Do you ever w
ofcer of a company...
director for a city or co
or construction? This br
organization of y
Prepared by
Committee on Car
an overview of ways to
engineers and employ
org/mentoring for mor
For more informa
[Link]/profes
The ASCE Institutes w
and practice of speci
focusing on t
is
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and provides y
For more informa
ASCE Eng Guide_FRONT.indd 1
7/10/07 [Link] PM
Career Development Resources
The Engineering Income and Salary Survey
Classified Ads in Civil Engineering Magazine and ASCE News
Career Paths In Civil Engineering
ASCE collaborates with the National Society of Professional Engineers
to produce The Engineering Income and Salary Survey. Encompassing
35 disciplines and 20,000 engineering professionals,
the survey represents the most accurate compensation
information for all engineering professions in the United
Clearly the best way to reach civil engineers with your classied advertising
is through the two publications that serve civil engineers exclusivelyCivil
Engineering and ASCE News! These publications
are the ofcial magazine and newspaper of the
American Society of Civil Engineers. Both are
Do you ever wonder what path you would follow to become the chief executive
ofcer of a company...or what steps you might take to become the public works
director for a city or county? How about a career in education, industry,
or construction? This brochure provides paths to achieve a position in the
organization of your choice.
Mentoring Guide for Employers, Mentors and Protgs
Prepared by members of the ASCE Committee on Professional Practices
Committee on Career Development, these mentoring guidelines provide
an overview of ways to implement a mentoring program, benets to both
engineers and employers, and roles and responsibilities. Visit [Link].
org/mentoring for more information.
For more information or to download PDFs of the above brochures, visit
[Link]/professional/careers.
verages
ors, and
post jobs in
esumes,
w
ormation
Continuing Education
ASCE provides top-quality, state-of-the-practice continuing education
to civil engineers and related professionals.
Live Face-to-Face Seminarsmore than 275 in-depth
seminars held each year throughout the United States
covering a wide range of technical and management topics.
Live Web Seminarsmore than 125 low-cost seminars
delivered live over the Web each year on technical and
management topics.
On-Site Trainingconvenient, customized training held at your
organization to meet the objectives of your organization and
your staff.
Distance Learningmore than 150 courses available online, on
CD, on DVD/videotape, and on audiotape.
PE and FE Exam Review Coursesavailable live on the Web,
online, and on CDwith written study guides also available.
Professional Development through ASCE Institutes
The ASCE Institutes work to advance the knowledge
and practice of specic civil engineering specialties by
focusing on technical, educational, and professional
issues. Membership in one of ASCEs Institutes brings
you together with other professionals within your specialty
and provides you with a variety of additional resources.
For more information, visit [Link]/institute.
Visit [Link]/training for complete information on
ASCEs continuing education offerings.
Participate in Local ASCE Groups
Network and advance your career by participating in ASCE
Sections or Branches ([Link]/local) or Younger Member
groups ([Link]/youngermember).
American Society of Civil Engineers
1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 20191-4400
ASCE Guidelines for
ASCEs Guidelines for Engineering Grades were created to
Engineering
Grades
Grade I
General Characteristics
Acquires limited knowledge and
develops basic skills.
Applies prescribed techniques and
procedures in accordance with
established criteria to perform assigned
tasks.
Performs routine technical work which
does not require previous experience.
Acquires an understanding of
professional and ethical responsibilities.
Technical
Responsibilities
Collects data and gathers information
or documents.
Performs standard computations or
analysis.
Prepares drawings and visual aids.
Observes construction activities.
Performs basic survey work.
Managerial
Responsibilities
Direction Received
help engineers and their employers recognize an engineers level of
professional development and career advancement. The guidelines
outline the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities associated with
engineers at each grade.
The descriptions cover typical requirements for a wide range of
engineering organizations and positions. In addition, many organizations
do not offer the full array of grades listed. In applying the guidelines,
keep the following in mind:
These descriptions should be considered as typical characteristics of
an engineer at a particular grade, rather than minimum requirements.
Grade II
Acquires basic knowledge and develops
skills in a specific practice area.
Applies standard techniques,
procedures, and criteria to perform
assigned tasks as part of a broader
assignment.
Exercises limited judgment on details
of work and in application of standard
methods for conventional work.
Performs basic design tasks.
Assists on other tasks such as:
preparation of permit applications,
material testing, drawings, and
computer-aided design (CAD) work.
Grade III
Develops broad knowledge and skills in a
specific practice area.
Evaluates, selects, and applies standard
techniques, procedures, and criteria to perform
a task or sequence of tasks for conventional
projects with few complex features.
Collaboratively uses judgment to determine
adaptations in methods for nonroutine aspects
of assignments.
Works on small projects or portions of larger
projects.
Performs moderate design tasks.
Prepares portions of project documents.
Edits specifications.
Performs research and investigations.
No managerial responsibilities at this
level.
Assigns tasks to and coordinates with
technicians or administrative staff.
Assigns tasks to and coordinates work
with entry-level engineers, technicians, or
administrative staff.
Assists in determining schedule and budget
requirements.
Receives close supervision on all
aspects of assignments.
Receives close supervision on unusual
or difficult problems, and general
review of all aspects of work.
Receives instruction on specific objectives.
Receives direction on unconventional and/or
complex problems, and possible solutions.
Receives a thorough review of completed work
for application of sound professional judgment.
Possesses effective oral and written
communication skills.
Assists with client, customer, or official contacts
and communication pertaining to specific
assignments or meetings.
Conformance with every item may not be required to achieve a
specic grade.
The grade descriptions include language applicable to both technical
and management career paths.
In general, compensation and benets increase with higher grades;
however, they are determined by many variables that may not be
included in these guidelines.
Acknowledgments
The ASCE Committee on Professional Practices
Committee on Employment of Civil Engineers
would like to acknowledge and thank the
following organizations and their human
resource departments for their assistance in
revising the engineering grades guideline.
CH2M HILL
Federal Highway Administration
National Society of Professional Engineers
Nevada Department of Transportation
Nevada State Board of Engineers and
Land Surveyors
Additional information can be obtained from ASCEs Manuals and
Reports on Engineering Practice No. 103, Guide to Hiring and Retaining
Great Civil Engineers, and the current ASCE Engineering Income and
Salary Survey.
Grade IV
Grade V
Grade VI
Grade VII
Grade VIII
Applies broad knowledge of principles and
practices in a specific practice area.
Independently evaluates, selects, and adapts
standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.
Acquires general knowledge of principles
and practices of related fields, and ability to
function on multidisciplinary teams.
Works on multiple projects of moderate size or
portions of major projects.
Independently applies extensive and diversified
knowledge of principles and practices in broad
areas of assignments and related fields.
Uses advanced techniques in the modification or
extension of theories and practices of sciences
and disciplines to complete assignments.
Works on a major project or several projects of
moderate scope with complex features.
Applies a thorough knowledge of current principles
and practices of engineering as related to the variety of
aspects affecting his or her organization.
Applies knowledge and expertise acquired through
progressive experience to resolve crucial issues and/or
unique conditions.
Keeps informed of new methods and developments
affecting his or her organization, and recommends new
practices or changes in emphasis of programs.
Works on programs of limited complexity and scope.
Uses creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in
anticipating and solving unprecedented problems.
Makes decisions and recommendations that are
authoritative and have an important impact on
extensive organizational activities.
Sets priorities and reconciles directions from competing
interests.
Works on programs with complex features.
Makes decisions with broad influence on the
activities of his or her organization.
Makes authoritative decisions and
recommendations that are conclusive
and have a far-reaching impact on the
organization.
Demonstrates a high degree of creativity,
foresight, and mature judgment in planning,
organizing, and guiding extensive programs
and activities of major consequence.
Designs a complete project, system,
component, or process.
Prepares complete project documents.
Designs and conducts experiments, and
analyzes and interprets data.
Formulates and solves problems.
Reviews complete project documents for
conformity and quality assurance.
Develops new techniques and/or improved
processes, materials, or products.
Assists upper level management and staff as a
technical specialist or advisor.
Serves as the technical specialist for the organization
in the application of advanced concepts, principles, and
methods in an assigned area.
Keeps informed of new developments and requirements
affecting the organization for the purpose of
recommending changes in programs or applications.
Interprets, organizes, executes, and coordinates
assignments.
Develops standards and guidelines.
Leads the organization in a broad area of specialization
or in a narrow but intensely specialized field.
Performs advisory or consulting work for the
organization for broad program areas or an
intensely specialized area with innovative or
important aspects.
Assigns tasks to and directs engineers,
technicians, and administrative staff.
Plans and coordinates detailed aspects of the
engineering work.
Prepares scopes, budgets, and schedules for
assignments.
Assists with proposals to provide professional
services or obtain funding for engineering
projects or programs.
Supervises all staff necessary to complete
assignments.
Reviews and approves scopes, budgets, and
schedules for assignments.
Prepares proposals to provide professional
services or obtain funding for engineering
projects or programs.
Supervises a staff of engineers and technicians.
Plans, schedules, or coordinates the preparation of
documents or activities for multiple major projects, or is
responsible for an entire program of an organization.
Reviews operational procedures to ensure compliance
with applicable policies and performance measures.
Supervises several organizational segments or teams.
Recommends facilities, personnel, and funds required
to carry out programs.
Oversees the technical, legal, and financial issues of an
entire program.
Determines program objectives and requirements.
Develops standards and guidelines.
Leads an entire program of critical
importance.
Decides the kind and extent of engineering
and related programs needed for
accomplishing the objectives of an
organization.
Receives general direction on key objectives.
Receives guidance when necessary on
unconventional or complex problems, direction
on modified techniques, and new approaches
on assignments with conflicting criteria.
Receives supervision and guidance relating to
overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts,
and policy matters.
Receives direction on unusual conditions and
developments.
Receives administrative supervision with assignments
given in terms of broad general objectives and limits.
Receives administrative supervision with assignments
given in terms of broad general objectives and limits.
Receives general administrative direction from
a board of directors or regional council.
Negotiates critical and controversial issues
with top-level engineers and officers of other
organizations and companies.
Conducts presentations and may participate
in media interviews.
Represents his or her organization at
important functions or conferences, including
media interviews as required.
Interacts with clients, customers, officials,
contractors, and others.
Attends project meetings and presents specific
aspects of engineering assignments.
Possesses advanced oral and written
communication skills.
Represents the organization in communications
and conferences pertaining to broad-aspects of
engineering assignments.
Routinely interacts with clients, customers, officials,
contractors, and others.
Leads project meetings and makes presentations.
Represents the organization and maintains liaison with
individuals and related organizations.
Possesses exceptional oral and written communication
skills.
Routinely interacts with organization leaders, clients,
customers, officials, contractors, and others.
Initiates and maintains extensive contacts with key
engineers and officials, or other organizations and
companies.
Demonstrates skills in persuasion and negotiation of
critical issues.
Communication Skills
Possesses basic oral and written
communication skills.
Interacts with other staff.
Typical Titles
Engineer in Training, Engineering Intern, Assistant Engineer, Junior Engineer, Staff Engineer, Engineering Instructor
Civil Engineer, Associate Engineer,
Project Engineer, Resident Engineer,
Assistant Professor
Senior Engineer, Project Manager, Associate
Professor
Principal Engineer, District Engineer, Engineering Manager,
Professor
Director, Program Manager, City Engineer,
County Engineer, Division Engineer,
Department Head, Vice President
Bureau Engineer, Director of Public Works, Dean,
President
Experience
0+ years
4+ years
8+ years
10+ years
15+ years
20+ years
Education
Bachelors degree in engineering from an ABET/EAC accredited program
Bachelors degree in engineering from an ABET/EAC accredited program, masters degree or equivalent, engaged in life-long learning to maintain knowledge of contemporary issues,
doctorate for faculty
Licensure and
Certication
Engineer in Training, Engineering Intern
Professional Engineer
Professional Activities
Member of professional practice organization
Community Activities
Equivalent Federal
General Schedule
Involved in outreach activities with community service organizations.
GS-5
Interacts with staff, general public,
officials, and contractors.
1+ years
3+ years
Member of professional practice organization, member of local
program or committee
GS-7
Member of professional practice organization,
chair of local program or committee
Professional Engineer, advanced credentials such as specialty certification
Member of professional practice organization, national board member or officer, national technical or policy
committee member
Serves on local planning or policy boards.
Organizes and leads community service programs.
GS-9
GS-11
Member of professional practice organization, national
board member or officer, recognized expert on statewide
activity, resource for national activities and organization
GS-12
GS-13
GS-14
Member of professional practice organization,
recognized expert on national activity or
spokesperson for the profession
Serves on state or national boards.
GS-15, Senior Executive Service (SES)
Revised 2007
ASCE Engineering Guide_Grade.ind1 1
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