Job Description of a Design Technician

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Design technicians include architecture technicians and construction technicians. In architectural and engineering offices, technicians assist professionals in preparing drawings, completing cost estimates, calculating areas and materials, and preparing specifications. They may also assist architects in inspecting construction sites, estimating percentage of completion, and making sure the construction is completed on schedule. These technicians may assist in making sure that the required corrections have been made or help ensure that the project is completed in a cost-effective manner. Other jobs include architectural drafters who draw, sketch, and make models, and structural drafters who perform the same duties as architectural drafters but focus on concrete, steel, glass, and other structural components of the building.

Construction technicians' duties range from entry-level jobs such as a materials checker to advanced jobs such as construction supervisor. Construction technicians may also act as building inspectors to insure that jobs are completed in a satisfactory manner. Construction technicians often work as construction salespeople due to their knowledge of products, building codes, installation procedures, and the uses for the products they are selling. Other jobs include estimators, who help estimate the quantity and price of materials, and plant and building supervisors.

Related Professions


  • Architectural Drafter

  • Structural Drafter and Detail Checker

  • Assistant Plant Engineer and Building Supervisor

  • Architectural Sales Representative

  • Architect

  • Landscape Architect

  • Construction Inspector

  • Engineering Technician

  • CAD Technician

  • Estimator

  • Clerical Methods Analyst Drafter

  • Building Inspector

  • Landscaper Cartographic Drafter

  • Contractor Surveyor

  • Plant Engineer
Education

Technicians require either vocational school or technical institute training. Generally, these two-year programs result in a certificate, diploma, or an associate degree. Because construction technicians deal more with building and operations, vocational schools and technical institutes offer the best programs. A few technical colleges offer four-year degrees in architectural engineering technology. Graduates of four-year programs are referred to as technologists in order to distinguish them from two-year graduates. Almost all schools that train architectural and building construction technicians require two years of high school algebra, a year of trigonometry or geometry, and one or two years of physical science. Programs in architectural technology programs include courses in mathematics (including calculus), architectural drawing, technical mathematics, applied physics, building materials, construction methods, communication skills, construction planning and control, and architectural history. During the second year of an architectural or construction technician program, the courses include: architectural drawing and model building, elementary surveying, advanced architectural drawing, technical reporting, building service systems, contracts, codes, specifications and office practices, computer applications, general and industrial economics, and construction cost estimating contracts.

Professional Certification

Architectural and building construction technicians are not required to be licensed. Some technicians do, however, work toward obtaining licenses or become certified engineering technicians. If an architectural or building construction technician has the practical experience, he or she can take the examination to be a licensed land surveyor.

The working conditions vary depending on the type of work. Some architectural technicians can expect work almost exclusively in architectural or engineering offices. Architectural offices are almost always clean, comfortable, and well lighted. An architectural technician will do much of the work seated at a desk or drawing table. Technicians that work at construction sites spend most of their time outdoors. An architectural technician spends many hours or days preparing detailed estimates or drawings. Paying attention to detail is a critical skill for these technicians. At the construction site, the construction technicians must make sure that the work meets exact specifications, and when reviewing drawings, technicians must focus on ensuring the work has been performed according to the detailed specifications. The building projects may include homes, factories, apartment buildings, shopping centers and public buildings such as libraries, schools, or prisons. Architecture and construction involves a wide variety of materials, including conventional pine, hardwood lumber, ceramics, glass, and metals; therefore, the technicians need to understand the components of each of these materials.

Employment Statistics And Major Employers

The major employers include architectural and engineering firms, construction companies, government agencies, building supply companies, and plant engineering and operations departments. The need for architectural and construction technicians is expected to remain strong in the foreseeable future as technologies continue to increase the complex nature of building systems and computers increase the level of skill required by technicians.

Salary Statistics

Architectural and building construction technicians earn salaries similar to other engineering technicians. Their starting salaries range from $16,000 to $22,000 and average around $20,000 per year. More experienced technicians generally earn around $25,000, with some senior technicians earning $37,000 or more per year.

Sources of Further Information
  • American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians P.O. Box 371474 El Paso, TX 79937

  • Associated General Contractors of America 1957 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20006

  • The American Institute of Architects 1735 New York Ave., NW Washington, DC 20006

  • Society of American Registered Architects 1245 South Highland Ave. Lombard, IL 60148

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