Civil Designer 1 (early career professional)

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Site Design

At DOWL, you'll be part of a team that delivers a full spectrum of civil engineering services to both public and private clients making a meaningful impact on communities and infrastructure across the region. We take pride in our ability to solve complex planning, environmental, and design challenges, navigate funding and permitting hurdles, and guide projects from concept through construction with precision and care. Our strong reputation is built on a commitment to quality and the personal attention we bring to every project. If you're passionate about creating practical, lasting solutions and want to grow with a company that values both technical excellence and client relationships, we invite you to join us.

Summary

We are seeking a motivated Civil Designer 1 to join our team and support the design and production of civil site development plans. This entry-level position will assist engineers and senior designers with drafting, modeling, and preparing plan sets for site layout, grading, storm drainage, and utilities. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, eager to learn, and interested in developing technical design skills in a collaborative engineering environment.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Basic
• Market Sector Software (AutoCAD/C3D, HydroCAD, AutoTurn/Vehicle Tracking) - Basic
• Ability to create and maintain Civil 3D surfaces, alignments, profiles, and pipe networks
• Familiarity with plan set sheet layouts and annotation standards

Technical Expertise

• Basic understanding of technical fundamentals
• Performs basic technical tasks assigned by market sector with oversight from others
• Motivated to learn new technical skills through self-study and mentoring
• Reviews drawings for accuracy, completeness, and drafting standards
• Implements redline revisions under supervision

Teamwork

Team player who mostly functions in a supporting role in a project team setting. Collaborates, listens, takes direction well, and retains information provided. Motivated to grow skills and help the team.

Project Delivery

Produces the following under close direction/oversight from others:

• Identify design criteria
• Site layout and grading
• Utility plans and profiles
• Street plans and profiles
• Construction plans
• Quantity takeoffs
• Storm calculations
• ADA designs
• Offsite improvements designs
• Permit applications
• Construction details and notes
• Services during construction (RFI and submittal review, construction observation and inspection, and record drawings)
• Erosion and sediment control plans
• Developing and modifying drawings using AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Building and maintaining Civil 3D surfaces, alignments, profiles, and pipe networks
• Support permit submittals and preparing technical exhibits
• Executing reline revisions and updates throughout the project lifecycle
• Organizing and maintaining project files and documentation

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Basic understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Collaborates with supervisor and/or resource manager to plan work time on assignments. Conducts basic monitoring of budgets and schedules for simple project tasks.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Demonstrates basic familiarity with the following design codes:

• Local jurisdiction
• Local DOT
• PROWAG
• ASTM
• AWWA
• MUTCD
• DEQ

Also develops familiarity with site development drafting standards, including sheet layout and annotation requirements (training provided).

Client Interaction

Infrequent direct client interaction. Reads emails and occasionally attends client meetings, listens, and prepares meeting minutes.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Performs basic levels of technical work on projects in support of more experienced staff within the market sector. Operates with minimal autonomy - work is closely supervised by more senior staff.

Supervisory Duties

None

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required (internship or relevant coursework in civil/site design preferred)
• Years of experience required: none
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: none

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• EIT/EI required (within 6 months of hire)·
• Driving is an essential job function or a valid driver’s license is required to support legitimate business purposes

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.